Tag: Upper Deck

The Quest for Khabibulin

One collector. One mission. 24 cards.

Collector Daniel Gilchrist has collected everything and anything related to Nikolai Khabibulin for 25 years. He owns several game-used goalie sticks, a game-used jersey and game-used goalie pads once worn by “The Bulin Wall.” He also has dozens of autographs and thousands of cards of Khabibulin, who is — if you haven’t guessed it by now — Gilchrist’s favorite player.

Gilchrist set out on one of his biggest collecting goals in 2016 when he decided to track down all 24 Nikolai Khabibulin logo patch cards from the 2013-14 Upper Deck Edmonton Oilers Collection trading card set. Although the pieces of Oilers logo aren’t from a game-worn jersey, they are still a sight to be seen when assembled. Gilchrist recently talked with Puck Junk about what challenges there were in his quest to collect all 24 logo patch cards of his favorite player.

Sal Barry: How long have you been a hockey card collector?

Daniel Gilchrist: Since I was 14. My family moved from Winnipeg to Edmonton in 1988, a few days after Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Kings. My cousins sent me a care package when we moved, and it had a bunch of hockey cards in it, including a Brett Hull rookie card. That’s how I got started.

SB: How did Nikolai Khabibulin become your favorite player?

DC: It’s actually a pretty funny story. Continue reading “The Quest for Khabibulin”

2019-20 Allure Hockey Box Break #2

As a hockey card collector, I like chrome sets. I missed out on the whole Topps Chrome Hockey era in the early 2000s, and am envious whenever I see baseball card collectors get shiny sets like Bowman Chrome and Topps Chrome each year. I liked some of Panini’s chrome cards, especially Prizm from 2013-14. I also like O-Pee-Chee Platinum cards by Upper Deck. So, I was intrigued by Upper Deck’s new Allure hockey set, which was all about the shiny, reflective cards.

I recently busted a box of 2019-20 Upper Deck Allure Hockey cards. It was only eight packs, so it didn’t take me too long. Here’s what I got:

Continue reading “2019-20 Allure Hockey Box Break #2”

Box Break: 2019-20 SP Game Used Edition Hockey

Practically every card in a six-card box of 2019-20 SP Game Used Edition Hockey by Upper Deck is a hit. Each box is guaranteed to have one premium autograph or premium memorabilia card, plus three more memorabilia, autograph or “premium” hits per box. Clearly, the idea behind SP Game Used is to give collectors a shot at getting some awesome memorabilia cards.

Each box has one pack, which contains six cards, and costs around $100. That averages to about $17 or so per card and really puts the expectation that these will indeed be great memorabilia cards inside. Or, at least a cut or two above the standard “UD Game Jersey” cards found in Upper Deck Series one and Series Two.

Let’s see how my box stacked up.

Continue reading “Box Break: 2019-20 SP Game Used Edition Hockey”

Puck Junk Podcast: March 17, 2020

COVID-19 Pauses NHL Season

COVID-19, a.k.a. the Coronavirus Disease, has halted the hockey season for the time being — and for who knows how long? This week, Sal and Tim talk about how this pandemic has indefinitely “paused” the NHL, the AHL, and even local recreational hockey leagues. They also talk about 2019-20 Upper Deck Allure Hockey cards. Plus, the return of the Puck Junk Listener Mailbag!

Show Notes and Links:
How to protect yourself from the Coronavirus Disease / COVID-19 (CDC)
Symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease / COVID-19 (CDC)
The new Puck Junk Facebook Group (Facebook)
2019-20 Upper Deck Allure Hockey checklist & pics (Cardboard Connection)
Here’s an Allure “Yellow Taxi” insert from a retail pack:

Here are those Wayne Gretzky Street Hockey Shoes that Sal wishes he had bought in 1994…

…and the ad for the shoes:

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

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Puck Junk Podcast: March 6, 2020

How the 1994-95 NHL Lockout Forever Changed Hockey Cards

Nothing had a bigger effect on hockey trading cards than the 1994-95 NHL Lockout. Because of the lockout, companies could make more hockey sets, hockey cards became more expensive and autographed cards became more commonplace. However, the 1994 NHL lockout was not without casualties, as some card sets — as well as other licensed NHL collectibles — were cancelled, while some contests and promotions were ruined. Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a look back at the 1994-95 lockout and how it forever affected hockey cards. They also talk about the forthcoming David Ayres rookie cards and answer more listener questions.

Show Notes and Links:
Johnny Boychuk gets hit in the face with a skate (YouTube)
Jim Little responds to being fired by Ottawa Senators (Twitter)
The “Saved By the Bell” design of 1994-95 Score boxes (Trading Card DB)
Robin Lehner shows off a bruise from stopping a shot (Twitter)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

How to Get a David Ayres Rookie Card

The whole sports world has been abuzz about David Ayres, the 42-year old emergency backup goaltender who manned the pipes when both Carolina Hurricanes goaltenders went down with injuries in a February 22 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ayers, who works for the Toronto Marlies AHL team as a facilities manager and Zamboni driver, was on hand for the Maple Leafs should either team need an emergency goalie. He played in nearly half of that game and stopped eight out of 10 shots that he faced, recording the win in the Hurricanes’ 6-3 victory. He is the first EBUG to be credited with a win in an NHL contest.

Of course, whenever an EBUG makes an appearance, the question is if he will be featured on a hockey card. And the answer is yes — Ayres will be featured on two hockey cards this year. One you can purchase between now and the morning of Friday, March 6, as a part of Upper Deck’s “Game Dated Moments” set. The other Ayres card will come out in May, but will be much tougher to get.

So, if you’d like to own a David Ayres rookie card right now, but don’t understand how Upper Deck E-Pack works, never bought hockey cards online before, or haven’t bought trading cards since they came packaged with gum, then read on.

Continue reading “How to Get a David Ayres Rookie Card”

Puck Junk Podcast: February 28, 2020

EBUG Sensation David Ayres, Plus YOUR Questions!

In this episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about Emergency Backup Goalie sensation David Ayres, who played for the Carolina Hurricanes last Saturday and was the first EBUG to record a win. Plus, it’s the debut of the Puck Junk Listener Mailbag! And we might have overdone it with the mailbag questions this week, as this episode is now 1 hour and 54 minutes long. But that’s OK, because it’s awesome. Don’t believe us? Well, click that “Play” button and find out!

Show Notes and Links:
Poll: “Your Hockey Team’s So Bad…” (Twitter)
Dave Ayres, 42, EBUG gets win in NHL debut (CNN)
The first time Sal saw Slap Shot (Puck Junk)
Upper Deck’s 2019 Sibling Sensations Hockey Set (Upper Deck)
Trading Card Database (link)
Last Sticker (link)
National Hockey Card Day – Trade Group (Facebook)
Puddy: “Gotta support the team.” (YouTube)
2015-16 Panini Anthology Hockey Box Break (Puck Junk)
2015-16 Upper Deck Full Force Hockey Box Break (Puck Junk)
The Inside Story on the Eric Semborski Hockey Card (Puck Junk)
Tom Fenton to Get an ITG Hockey Card (Puck Junk)
Here’s that awesome custom Tom Fenton hockey card Sal made:

Sal’s attempt to remove gum that was stuck to a hockey card (YouTube)
Sal eats 24-year old O-Pee-Chee gum and lives to regret it (YouTube)
1987-88 O-Pee-Chee Bill Ranford rookie card with gum stuck to it:

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast #47: Feb. 21, 2020

Collecting the “Miracle on Ice” Hockey Team

This Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice,” when the U.S. Hockey Team beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics en route to winning the gold medal. Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk about collecting the “Miracle on Ice” hockey players. They also discuss National Hockey Card Day 2020, the 2020 Stadium Series and the Daniel Carcillo-Paul Bissonnette Twitter feud. It’s 98 minutes of hockey goodness. Scroll down for show notes, links and images.

Show Notes and Links:
NHL, Air Force Academy Statement on Stadium Series game (Fox 31 Denver)
Paul Bissonnette accuses Daniel Carcillo of racist behavior (Sporting News)
National Hockey Card Day – Trade Group (Facebook)
Clip of “American Dad” episode with “Miracle on Ice” Team (YouTube)
History’s Greatest Olympians Trading Card Set (Sports Collectors Digest)
Every Rookie Card of the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic Team (Puck Junk)
1980 Kellogg’s Olympic Stick’r Trading Cards (Puck Junk)
Herb Brooks Rookie Card (Puck Junk)
Career in Cards: Mark Johnson (Puck Junk)
Here are some of the cards that we talk about in the podcast:

1980-81 O-Pee-Chee #9 - Ken Morrow
1980-81 O-Pee-Chee Ken Morrow RC with Team USA logo
1980-81 Topps Jim Craig RC with Team USA logo
1983 History’s Greatest Olympians Jim Craig (Black Rings version)
1983 History’s Greatest Olympians Mike Eruzione RC (Black Rings version)
1983 History’s Greatest Olympians Mike Eruzione RC (Star In Motion version)
1983-84 M&Ms Olympic Heroes Mike Eruzione
1991 Impel U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Herb Brooks RC
1994-95 Signature Rookies Miracle on Ice John Harrington
1994-95 Signature Rookies Miracle on Ice Jim Craig
2004-05 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures Miracle Men Steve Christoff (unsigned version)
2004-05 Upper Deck Legendary Signatures Miracle Men Steve Janaszak (unsigned version)
2010-11 In the Game Decades 1980s Steve Christoff autograph

Finally, here’s a picture of Bill Ranford on the set of “Miracle” after sustaining a concussion when a stunt went wrong.

[Photo Credit: Disney]
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Puck Junk Podcast: January 27, 2020

2020 NHL All-Star Game Recap, plus a retrospective of Champ’s hockey cards.

In this week’s episode of the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish give their recap of the 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend, from the Skills Competition and Elite Women’s 3-on-3 Game on Friday, to the All-Star Game on Saturday. Plus, a retrospective of Champ’s hockey cards. This podcast weighs in at 1 hour and 37 minutes, so go get yourself a sandwich before you hit that play button, and thanks for listening!

Show Notes and Links:
McDonald’s commercial with Wayne Gretzky and Mats Sundin (YouTube)
And as long as we’re on the topic, here’s the McDonalds commercial with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird (YouTube)
That CCM commercial with Alex Ovechkin’s head in a locker (YouTube)
The entire 2020 NHL All-Star Game (NHL via YouTube)
Don’t have time for that? Here are just the highlights (NHL via YouTube)
Upper Deck Game Dated Moment cards for Week 16 (Upper Deck)
For more images of Champ’s Hockey cards, check out these box breaks:
2008-09 Champ’s Hockey Box Break #1 (Puck Junk)
2008-09 Champ’s Hockey Box Break #2 (Puck Junk)
2009-10 Champ’s Hockey Box Break #1 (Puck Junk)
2009-10 Champ’s Hockey Box Break #2 (Puck Junk)
2015-16 Champ’s Hockey Box Break (Puck Junk)

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG.
Podcast intro and ending music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard.

Subscribe to the Puck Junk Hockey Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podchaser, PocketCasts, Castbox , Castro,
Overcast, TuneIn and SoundCloud.

Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Do You Know What You’re Missing On E-Pack?

Do you know that feeling you get when all you want to do is open some packs? But it’s late in the day, or there are no card stores nearby. How would you like to open packs, boxes or even cases of hockey cards no matter where you are, no matter what time of day it is, while also being able to chat and trade with fellow hockey collectors?

With the evolution of online shopping and e-commerce over the past few years, it was only a matter of time until the sports card industry caught on to the “buy stuff in my pajamas” concept. Upper Deck’s e-PACK sports and entertainment platform provides collectors the ability to do just that and even more.

Continue reading “Do You Know What You’re Missing On E-Pack?”