WTF Hockey Card: Vincent Dampousse (1990-91 Upper Deck #484)

Vincent Dampousse
1990-91 Upper Deck #484

Vincent Damphousse's All-Star Card from 1990-91 Upper Deck.

"Damphousse scored four goals in the '91 All-Star Game, and earned MVP honors for the game."

There's just something about a giant car key with a Bud Light logo that makes me want to go cruisin' with an ice cold beer.

WTF Hockey Card: Ken Sabourin (1991-92 Upper Deck #417)

Ken Sabourin
1991-92 Upper Deck #417

The face you make when a handful of ice cubes get dropped down your back...

Cool Card: Mike Donnelly (1991-92 Upper Deck #420)

Mike Donnelly
(1991-92 Upper Deck #420)

A Very Happy & Mellow... Easter!

I enjoy flipping through albums, and taking a moment to appreciate all the fine details, especially in some of the early Upper Deck years. Always notice something new every time.

Came across this card the other day, and couldn't help posting it...

Mike Donnelly collides with Ron Hextall, and the puck goes flying!

(I wonder if Hex went after him...)

Mike Donnelly
(1991-92 Upper Deck #420 card back)

Keith Tkachuk - Star Rookies (1992-93 Upper Deck #419)

Keith Tkachuk - Star Rookies
(1992-93 Upper Deck #419)

Treasures from the nickel bin...

Recently acquired this card... Already had the "Star Rookie" cards of Bure & Hasek from 1992-93 Upper Deck, but was thrilled to add Keith Tkachuk to my collection. This was back in the days of the Winnipeg Jets (the original team), before the they moved to Arizona and became the Phoenix Coyotes. (I still refuse to acknowledge the team by any other name.)

There are two dozen Star Rookies in the base set, plus a checklist... (Keith Tkachuk is also featured on the Star Rookies checklist with Scott Lachance.)

Keith Tkachuck of course became the face of the Coyotes franchise, and is immortalized on the cover of Acclaim's NHL Breakaway 98 for the N64 and Playstation.

Cool Card: Darren McCarty (1995-96 Topps #28)

Darren McCarty
(1995-96 Topps #28)

Known primarily for his toughness, Darren McCarty also displays surprisingly soft hands while stick-handling...

From the card back:

"Darren scored three playoff goals for Detroit as the Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup finals."

Definitely a sign of things to come... Darren MCarty would go on to score the game winning goal in the 1997 Stanley Cup Final.

He dekes around the defenceman to get in alone against the goaltender... He has just enough space to quickly switch from backhand to forehand and smoothly puts the puck into the net. Naturally, the crowd at Joe Louis Arena went nuts.

Is that McCarty or Mario?
You have to see it to believe it...

1997 Stanley Cup Winner Darren McCarty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81JwJDI2jMU

Cool Card: Oleg Tverdovsky (2002-03 Pacific #10)

Oleg Tverdovsky
(2002-03 Pacific #10)

It's kinda neat when the card number is the same as the player's jersey...

Oleg Tverdovsky's number 10 is even displayed in this overhead shot. A simple image, full of graceful balance and motion.

The shadow of the puck is visible, so it's still airborne and live. I'd be curious to know if he's about to tip a rebound into the opposing team's goal, or preparing to steer the puck clear of his own net....

The back of the card mentions being a scoring leader among defencemen, so either is possible.

Cool Card: Blaine Lacher (1995-96 Topps #23)

Blaine Lacher
(1995-96 Topps #23)

Looks like Blaine Lacher has gone behind his net to intercept a puck as it whips around the boards.... The way the photo is timed, it almost looks like the puck is glued to his goal stick.

"The Lock Net Monster" had a spectacular rookie season. But things are never the same year to year. Changes in team personnel, expectations, new system, new direction... 

Despite only being in the league for a couple years, he managed to get one of the most memorable goalie nicknames ever.