War Room - February 22, 2011

Got 'Em! Need 'Em! 

Season 2, Episode 12

Broadcast Date: Feb. 22, 2011

Time: 15 minutes, 2 seconds

Topic Discussed
Mick Kern and I talk about the ins and outs of player collecting. We refer to my "Career in Cards" about Chris Chelios, which you can see here. Chelios is the player who I try to get every card of (or at least as many as I can).

If the above player does not work, you can get the clip here. Just right click on the link, and select either "Save As..." or open it in a new tab or window.

Thanks to Mick Kern and NHL Home Ice (XM 204) for providing me with this clip.

Review: 1991 Pro Set Hall of Fame Induction

Rare Pro Set cards may seem like an oxymoron. But a few cards that Pro Set made are nary a blip on most collectors' radar. One such example is the 1991 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Set. (Full story)

The End of Sharp Watch

Patrick Sharp was injured in Sunday night's game against the Phoenix Coytes.

Most likely, he will be out until the end of the regular season.

So ends "Sharp Watch." 34 goals is a great accomplishment, but kind of a disappointment considering the scoring tear he was on at the beginning of the season. It doesn't even top his personal-best of 36 goals.

It was exciting to see a Blackhawk near the top of the goal scoring race for a while. But the two I's--injury and inconsistency--have been the bane of Sharp and teammate Marian Hossa, who had his own amazing start of the season.

Well, at least there's the (fingers crossed) playoffs.

War Room - February 15, 2011

Got 'Em! Need 'Em! 

Season 2, Episode 11

Broadcast Date: Feb. 15, 2011

Time: 11minutes, 18 seconds

Topic Discussed
We talk about hockey card magazines. No conversation would be complete without discussing Beckett Hockey, the oldest hockey card mag around. But we spend most of our time talking about The Want List and Insider's Edge--two relatively young magazines that are packed with hockey-card related content.

If the above player does not work, you can get the clip here. Just right click on the link, and select either "Save As..." or open it in a new tab or window.

Thanks to War Room host extraordinaire Mick Kern for providing me with the audio clip.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

No, I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day...but apparently, Don Cherry does. This picture of Don from the most recent episode of Coach's Corner is just flat out ridiculous.

As the McDonald's commercial says, "I'm lovin' it!"

I don't know how Don Cherry manages to outdo himself, but somehow he consistently does. That fact is almost as scary as the florescent green hat that he wore Saturday night.

Not too long ago, I found a blog that documents what Don Cherry wears each week. The blog is cleverly entitled Don We Now Our Gay Apparel. Sadly, they haven't updated in 5 weeks (despite my girlfriend emailing their webmaster a copy of the above pic).

Also, I wanted to make a some sort of joke about how if Don Cherry had a cherry on his hat, he'd look like a Shamrock Shake. But it's late, I'm sick and joke writing is not my forte at 11:45pm.

Plus, I realize that not everywhere in North America has Shamrock Shakes

Question: So now I ask you....does your local McDonalds sell Shamrock Shakes during the month of March?

2010-11 Artifacts Box Break

In a move completely out of character, I purchased a hobby box of 2010-11 Artifacts Hockey. Partly because I like the design and partly because I couldn't find many quality vintage singles at the show I attended on Saturday.

Plus, I never buy any high-end boxes. I'm tired of watching from the sidelines, so I decided to take the plunge and see if I get anything good.

31 Base Cards

It seems that I like the base set design of Artifacts every other year. I could care less for the 2009-10 design, but love these because they remind me of a movie poster.

The Western Conference players are featured against a blue/gray background, while the Eastern Conference guys are on yellowish-gold backgrounds.

2 Artifacts Rookies

Brayden Irwin 313 / 999 - the rookie cards are serial numbered to 999

Nick Spaling 303 / 999 - Why do I keep getting Nick Spaling? I pulled a serial numbered RC of his in Certified, a Rated Rookie in Donruss and a glossy parallel in Score. 

1 Rookie Redemption

Washington Capitals Redemption - Once redeemed, this will get me card #230, Marcus Johansson.

2 Artifacts Stars

 Drew Doughty 360 / 999 - I don't see the point of having veterans in the short-printed set if they are also included in the base set.

Martin Brodeur 359 / 999 - I think I speak for everyone when I say that I'd rather have another rookie card instead of a short-printed veteran.

1 Artifacts Stars Silver

Jonas Gustavsson 13 / 25 - As if short-printed veterans weren't bad enough, there are also limited, super-short printed veterans.

Autofacts Autographs

Jhonas Enroth autograph - Sigh. This was the autograph I got. For a split-second, I got excited and thought it was Ryan Miller. Oh well...I'm still digging on these autographed cards. They are well-designed and signed in blue.

Jersey Cards

Derek Roy Treasured Swatches 13 / 50 - Now, that's what I call a jersey card. I'm not a fan of these, but we got both a jersey swatch and a piece of a number or letter. Looks great.

Vincent Lecavalier Jersey Bronze 072 / 150 - Also cool. A serial-numbered jersey card of a bona-fide superstar...and the swatches are color, too.

But nothing could prepare me for this next hit.


This might be the best card I ever got in a pack--ever!!!!


Are you sitting down? Then behold: 

Sidney Crosby / Alexander Ovechkin Tundra Tandems Emerald 04 / 40 - Holy $#!T. I got a card that has patch pieces of jerseys from Sidney Crosby and Alexander freakin' Ovechkin.  I never got a Crosby or Ovechkin jersey card in a pack. Getting a card that has both players--and looks halfway decent, no less--is kind of an unreal feeling.

And here lies the problem.
Never will I pull a card from a pack as good as this one. Eventually, I'll buy a few more boxes of Artifacts, but they will probably pale in comparison to this box.

I plan on building this set, including Short Prints and rookie redemptions. It might take me a decade, but I'm in no rush. If anyone has any serial-numbered cards from this set that you'd like to trade or sell, drop me a line.

Saturday Card Show - A Quick Recap

This Saturday, I went to the Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Show in Rosemont, IL. A few quick highlights and lowlights:

• I traded cards--yes TRADED CARDS--with fellow collectors Tim (The Real DFG) and Nick. It was like being a kid again. I got cards I wanted and I got rid of cards that I didn't want. Best of all, there was no haggling or price guides involved. Negotiations pretty much went like this:
  

  "Here are some cards you need."
  "Thanks! Here are some cards you need."

  

• My 3 favorite hockey dealers were not at the show. A large, bearded fellow who calls himself "Big John" and deals mainly in newer hockey singles was notably absent, as was this older Canadian gentlemen who deals solely in high-quality, pre-1974 hockey cards. And my favorite hockey card-dealing couple, Diane and Paul Bogar of D & P Collectibles, were not at the show either. 

• My friend Danny went with me. He's not into sports cards, but he collects jerseys (the ones you wear, not jersey cards) and logo patches. Danny does well at finding jerseys for steals. It's always more fun to go with a friend. 

• I couldn't find any great deals on vintage singles, but found plenty of dealers trying to get full book value for their cards. Sorry, but I can't afford $200 for a Guy Lafleur rookie card...I don't care how near-mint it is.And if I'm going to break the bank on one, I'm going to get it from the Canadian guy mentioned above 

• I did pick up some mid-grade vintage singles from the 1960s. I'll post pictures soon.

• I bought a box of this year's Artifacts. I know--that is so unlike me. I usually stick to the low-end, 500 card sets, but there's a first time for everything. Hopefully, I'll open them tonight while watching the Blackhawks-Shaaarks game.

• Speaking of first times, I bought 4 boxes of In The Game hockey cards. I've never purchased any of their "not licensed by the NHL" stuff. Box breaks coming soon.  

•  I purchased numerous autographed cards--for very little money. But I'll post those on my other blog.  

• The show ended at 5pm. Waaaaaah! I was there for 8 hours, and could have stayed another 2. But then I would have went home broke.  

• Finally, I purchased a 1977-78 Topps Hockey Set for $66. It was in near-mint shape--sharp corners, great centering, perfect edges--but was missing #81 (Islanders checklist). 

Despite my favorite vendors not being there--and the overall dearth of quality-yet-affordable hockey--I had a better time at this show than I usually do. I went with a friend to the show, met a friend there and made a new one. Plus, I didn't spend all the money in my pocket.

Introducing: The Wrapper Gallery

Today I am proud to unveil a new section on Puck Junk: the Wrapper Gallery. Yes, you heard right: wrappers--those things that most people throw away.

For almost 2 years, I've been piecing together this section, trying to add an image here and there in between regular site updates, grad school, teaching, art shows, and the other stuff that's kept me busy in life.

I kept putting off its launch until I felt there was enough content in it. Right now, the Wrapper Gallery features over 100 different images from 75 different sets. It is far from comprehensive, but it is an ongoing project that I will continue to update. 

You can access the Wrapper Gallery from the navigation at the top, under Resources. By the way, this is the first of several resources I have planned for Puck Junk.

So, take a look and let me know what you think. What do you like? What could be better?

Patrick Sharp is Beautiful

Its been about a month since I've last updated Sharp Watch. In that time, Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks has scored 6 more goals and is tied for 2nd in the NHL with 33 tallies.

But--perhaps more importantly--Sharp was also named by Chicago Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful Chicagoians. He even made the cover:

Chicago Magazine had an interview with Sharp, which can be read online here. They also posted this "behind the scenes" interview:



With 16 games left for the Blackhawks this season, hitting the 50-goal mark is all but impossible for Sharp. But he will most likely pass his personal best of 36 goals.

Funny article in The Onion

The Onion newspaper does not print articles about hockey very often, and when they do it is usually about the sport's apparent lack of popularity and/or fan support. However, this one was downright hilarious:

Calgary Flames Trying To Keep Fact That They're A Hockey Team From Landlord

Anyone who grew up watching the 1970s sitcom Three's Company--and knows their Flames' history--will especially appreciate this one. Captain Canuck, I'm looking in your general direction here.

In other news...things seem to be getting back on track for me. I've been able to update Sal's Hockey Autographs every day for a week, and plan on getting some new "Junk" up here over the weekend and early next week.