2015-16 UD Canvas

Devan Dubnyk
2015-16 Upper Deck Canvas #C163

Not necessarily a fan of this particular subset, although I simply couldn't pass on a goaltender card.

Now that I think about it, I've kinda gotten away from pursuing any type of chase cards... So I guess UD Canvas is near top of my list, as far as modern insert sets go...

Randomly Inserted...

Nathan MacKinnon
2015-16 O-Pee-Chee #223
(Rainbow Insert)

My favorite thing about re-pack hockey cards is the chance to add something random or interesting to my collection... Especially if I've never seen a single card from that set.

Didn't even realize this was a parallel card... Problem with modern sets is that sometimes the entire set is glossy, holographic or reflective...

2015-16 O-Pee-Chee
[Total Cards: 600]

Nathan MacKinnon
2015-16 O-Pee-Chee #223
(Rainbow Insert - Card Back)

As a bonus, the back of the card is clean & white instead of dull cardboard.

Kyle Okposo
2018-19 O-Pee-Chee Platinum #122

A base card from O-Pee-Chee Platinum. I now have ten from this set in my collection.

2018-19 O-Pee-Chee Platinum
[Total Cards: 200]

Kyle Okposo recently scored his 500th NHL point.

After chasing the puck down the length of the ice, he was able to poke it past the defenceman, walk in all alone and score.

To make it even more exciting, Okposo's goal was part of a sequence where the Buffalo Sabres scored 3 unanswered goals in 91 seconds...

Jonas Hiller
2015-16 UD Full Force #35

Had never even heard of Full Force. Seems that there was only one release of this particular Upper Deck hockey brand.

2015-16 Upper Deck Full Force
[Total Cards: 123]

Card design is OK. Certainly not my favorite style, but there's nothing I really dislike about it. Team logo, player name and position are neat and legible on the front of the card, vitals on the back. At least they didn't completely overdo the graphics. 

1991-92 Upper Deck (Completed)

Hubie McDonough
1991-92 Upper Deck #138

It's always fun to complete a full set.
At 700 cards, 1991-92 Upper Deck is pretty comprehensive.

Ed Belfour
1991-92 Upper Deck #164

LAST CARD NEEDED:
Traded for Ed Belfour, the last card to complete the set.
(Have ironically picked up 2 extra copies of this Belfour card, inside random boxes and binders)

Belfour seems like a fitting final card for this set, as he'd  go on to backstop the Chicago Blackhawks to the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals.

Peter Bondra
1991-92 Upper Deck #131

FAVORITE CARD:
So many great snapshots in this set,
it's hard to pick a favorite...

But this card gets my vote for having
an awesome photo on both front and back...

Peter Bondra hops over a diving stick check,
while still maintaining control of the puck.

Peter Bondra
1991-92 Upper Deck #131(card back)

The back of the card features a good wide shot of the rink, with all 5 skaters for the St. Louis Blues, as Bondra fires a shot at the net.

The last man back also happens to be Scott Stevens. (a former Washington Capital)

More Adventures in Re-Packed Packs...

Craig Smith
2017-18 Upper Deck #357

Nabbed some more re-pack cards, which yielded little of any real value. Doesn't bother me, as long as I find interesting cards. Always prepared to receive plenty of early 90s junk wax, but considering that I got 8 cards I didn't already have, I suppose it's another win.

Visible through the plastic wrap is usually a card from a newer Upper Deck set. Didn't know a single thing about Craig Smith, but at least it's a decent looking card from 2017-18 Upper Deck. Good enough to entice me to buy the pack.

(I've found that packs that tease you with the very latest Upper Deck set tend to be loaded with lesser cards)

Grant Fuhr
1996-97 Collector's Choice #224

Sure, the "Collector's Choice" cards are considered lower quality than the main UD set, but I've always kinda liked them.

This Grant Fuhr card (with mid 90s St Louis Blues jersey with plenty of red) becomes my only card from the set.

The trivia question on the back has stood the test of time... The all time goalie wins leader for the St Louis Blues is still Mike Liut. (although active netminder Jake Allen is creeping up there...)

Jeff Beukeboom
1994-95 Upper Deck #339

Didn't have this one, but I always like finding cards of roleplayers.

Jeff Beukeboom was one of many key components to the New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup victory.

Scott Stevens
1991-92 Pinnacle #81

A young(er) Scott Stevens, fresh off his trade from St Louis to New Jersey. Only have a handful of cards from this set, so it's worth one point.

Ray Whitney
1995-96 Score #84

Didn't have anything from 95-96 Score. Actually like this set design better than most of their previous attempts. Score another point.

Jay Moore
1992-93 Parkhurst #394

Have acquired several hundred Parkhurst cards from 1991 to 1995, but at least this one isn't a duplicate.

Daniel Sedin
2015-16 Upper Deck #430

Already had this Sedin card. Teasing the back of the pack was my favorite card from 2015-16 Upper Deck (so far). Figured it was a good omen.

Trading Card Bait...

Chris Kreider
2019-20 Upper Deck #84

One (of three cards) from 2019-20 Upper Deck that I've found as a thrifty collector is Chris Kreider.

He's in the news for signing an extension with the New York Rangers. (As the trade deadline has come and gone, he had been one of the names mentioned in possible trades)

Brian Propp
1992-93 Pinnacle #178

After the top card of the re-pack, I should have known there wouldn't be much else within... Almost made me wince.

Robert Dirk
1992-93 Parkhurst #425

After removing the Bowman, Score, and Pro Set, this is what I'm left with in terms of cards that I didn't already have...

Dave Barr
1991-92 Pro Set #65

Actually, I had this one. It's one of my favorite snapshots from 1991-92 Pro Set. Dave Barr is dodging a hit. Always keep your head up... So you can duck when necessary.

700 Goals for Ovi

Alexander Ovechkin
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP
Laser Shots #S-1

After scoring 14 goals in seven games, Alexander Ovechkin went scoreless for 5 games... Almost seemed to stall at 698 career goals. For a player like him, a "slump" like that is unusual. But he hit the 700 mark with style, after one-timing a slapshot into the top corner.

Ten years ago, I'd have said that no-one will ever score 900 career goals...
But now that Alexander Ovechkin has hit the 700 goal mark (and seems to score 40-50 goals per year) he (and teammate Nick Backstrom) seems confident that it can happen.

Wayne Gretzky
1991-92 Pro Set #CC5

Was never a big fan of Ovechkin, although it is exciting to see records get broken.

Now that he's matured a bit, I can actually appreciate the fact that he has his sights on breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record of 894.

Actually needed this random Wayne Gretzky card towards finishing my 1991-92 Pro Set CC insert series...

Hand-Eye Co-ordination

Vincent Trocheck
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #123

Was impressed to see Vincent Trocheck of the Florida Panthers bat the puck out of the air and into the net against the Anaheim Ducks...

After a shot deflected off the end boards and into the air, Trocheck was calmly poised, waiting for the puck to come down, making contact when the puck was just under the crossbar.

The goal held up as the game winner.

He didn't even celebrate immediately after the goal...
Instead, he seemed to look over his shoulder to the referee, as if to say "Was I allowed to do that?

According to the back of the card, he was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

02/24/2020: Seems it will also be Trocheck's last goal as a Panther... As the dust settles following the trade deadline, it would appear that Vincent Trocheck is now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

2019-20 Re-Packed Rask

Tuukka Rask
2019-20 Upper Deck #8

Visible within a re-pack was a 2019-20 Upper Deck Tuukka Rask card. (The set has barely been out for 3 months)

Figured the card was worth more than I'd be paying for the lot, so I grabbed the bundle as soon as I saw it...

Jochen Hecht
2000-01 Victory #203

Of course, it was clever bait on the hook. Aside from the Rask card, the re-packed pack didn't yield anything of much interest.

Jochen Hecht played most of his career with Buffalo, but I never noticed that he started his career with St. Louis.

Better known for wearing 55, but here he is wearing 17.

This one isn't a terrible card, but not a terribly exciting card either...

Pat Verbeek
1991-92 Upper Deck #193

Sometimes I'll get a few cards towards sets I'm working on, or at least find few interesting snapshots. In this case, most of it was stuff I already had.

Always amused with how Pat Verbeek seems to be hovering in the air on this card.

Al MacInnis
1990-91 Score #5

Hard to get excited about 1990-91 Score...
In any of these repacks, it's pretty much guaranteed that they'll throw in a trusty handful of old Score...

Actually didn't have this card, so I guess it's ok.

2019-20 Upper Deck MVP Stanley Cup Edition (20th Anniversary Silver Script)

Martin Jones
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #62
(Stanley Cup Edition Silver Script)

Was thrilled to discover that 2019-20 Upper Deck MVP has a 100 card tribute to one of my favorite sets (MVP Stanley Cup Edition).

It commemorates the 20th anniversary (that's right... 20 YEARS) of the original 1999-00 Upper Deck MVP Stanley Cup Edition.

(An obscure little set with a ridiculously long name, but for some reason, it's always drawn me in)

Brent Burns
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #7
(Stanley Cup Edition Silver Script)

The base cards from the original 1998-99 set had bronze foil, but the design looks pretty badass in silver. I found the player selection is also quite good.

My first thought - This is brilliant.
My second thought - Man, I feel old.

With the inserted odds at 1:10, I was able to score a couple of these.

John Carlson
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #35
(Stanley Cup Edition Silver Script)

Ended up with a few Sharks & Caps (relatively appropriate as both teams have been to the Stanley Cup Finals in recent years).

Likely won't ever finish this set, but enjoy finding players with recent trips to the finals... Have two Predators and a Golden Knight, but no Penguins or Blues.

2007-08 Upper Deck (Series I & II)

Thomas Vanek
2007-08 Upper Deck #135

It's always more fun to slowly collect a set over time, than to obtain it all in one fell swoop... (But it's also cheaper to buy a set than to build it)

In this case, I picked up 2007-08 Upper Deck Series I last year, and happened to score Series II this year. I really like this set. The design is ridiculously simple. So neat & clean.

It's also the third year for Crosby & Ovechkin. The Caps in Series I are still wearing their black, blue & gold uniforms, but there are photos of the more traditional red, white & blue uniforms in Series II, where Ovechkin can be found. (Also noticed that Joe Sakic and Rick Nash have cards in both Series I & II)

The only thing I dislike (besides the ugly "Buffaslug" uniforms) is the shiny foil player names are annoying to read (as usual).

Joe Sakic
2007-08 Upper Deck #54

After collecting all the base cards from a set, I like to pick out a few favorites. In most cases, it has more to do with an awesome photograph than the actual player(s) depicted.

The set is full of colorful action snapshots, but this one stands out because it's different... A bird's eye view of legendary Joe Sakic, in alone against Dwayne Roloson (who helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006). The card looks just as good when flipped vertically (as it's displayed in the binder).

Sean Avery
2007-08 Upper Deck #118

Never thought I'd pick an Avery card among my favorites... This card features a great snapshot of memorable characters Sean Avery and Martin Brodeur, who got entangled with each other in the 2008 playoffs (after the release of this card). The NHL made a very specific change to the rulebook (aka the Sean Avery rule) with regards to using the hands or stick to interfere or distract the opposing goaltender.

In 2005, the NHL had also put restrictions on goaltenders playing the puck behind the goal line, limiting them to the "trapezoid" behind the net. (aka the Martin Brodeur rule).

Capitals Mascot Cameo...

Lars Eller
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #40

I'm not particularly fond of mascots...
But this card jumps out at me everytime I look through my 2019-20 MVP collection...

Can't recall the last time I've seen a mascot appear on a hockey card.... (It could even be a fan dressed in costume)

Either way, "Slapshot" the eagle manages to make the card more fun.

The Presidents' Trophy

Boston Bruins, 1990 Winner
The Presidents' Trophy
1990-91 Pro Set #387

The Presidents' Trophy has been awarded to the NHL team finishing with the most points in the regular season (since 1985-86).

Many people are fascinated by the "Presidents' Trophy Curse". It's simply tougher to win in the playoffs than in the regular season.

(New York Rangers, 1992 Winner)
Presidents' Trophy
1992-93 Upper Deck #34

The first time I heard about "the curse" was when the 1991-92 regular season champion New York Rangers got eliminated in the 1992 playoffs. Not only did they lose in the division finals (to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins), but to add insult to injury, the Rangers failed to make the Playoffs the following season (1992-93).

In 1993-94, the Rangers returned with a vengeance, and not only captured the President's Trophy, but also won the Stanley Cup Championship (ending a 54-year Stanley Cup drought).



Since then, other teams to successfully finish first in the regular season and go on to win the Stanley Cup are the Stars, Avs and Wings.


In recent history, the last team to win the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup were the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks - Although it should be noted that the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season was only 48 games... (Which seems to make for a more exciting season, fewer injuries and less burnout)

Scanning the Crowd (2016-17 Upper Deck Series II)

Really enjoying being a thrifty hockey card collector...
Since nobody seems to care about Upper Deck Series II, I've had some complete (and near complete) sets completely given to me.

Makes me feel old, because few people seem to build (or even collect) complete sets anymore... Back in my day (before insert cards, autographed jersey cards, parallels or Young Guns) finishing an entire set just seemed like the thing to do.

2016-17 Upper Deck Series II
(200 base cards)

Antoine Vermette
2016-17 Upper Deck #255
(click photo to enlarge)

Everybody in Philly hates Crosby...
So I guess it's no surprise that a Flyers fan is wearing an orange anti-Crosby t-shirt at a Flyers versus Ducks game.

Nikita Kucherov
2016-17 Upper Deck #414

That quirky little find had me scanning the crowd on every card... Couldn't help but notice a few female fans showing off their - Support, for favorite respective teams.

Dmitry Orlov
2016-17 Upper Deck #435

I'd almost swear that there's a girl in the crowd wearing a number 69 jersey - It could feasibly be 65, however...

Bruins Goalie Cameo...

Don Sweeney
1995-96 Collector's Choice #91

The Boston Bruins goaltender in the background of this card caught my eye...
Didn't recognize the painted helmet of Vincent Riendeau, appearing in only 11 games of the lockout-shortened season.

Vincent Riendeau
1994-95 Parkhurst #14

Vincent Riendeau's 1994-95 Parkhurst card. Played 122 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, then 32 games with the Detroit Wings, finishing his career with 29 games in net for the Bruins.

Vincent Riendeau
1994-95 Parkhurst #14(card back)

(On the back of the card is the first instance I've seen of an Upper Deck advertisement on a non-Upper Deck card)

Blues Goalie Cameo...

Troy Murray
1990-91 Upper Deck #112

Didn't recognize the St. Louis Blues' netminder on Troy Murray's 1990-91 Upper Deck card...

It appears to be Greg Millen, who played over 600 NHL games. In 1988-89, Millen had a career-high (and league-leading) 6 shutouts.

Greg Millen also has his own card (#213) in 1990-91 Upper Deck.

Greg Millen
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #137

Greg Millen's 1989-90 OPC card. Was curious about the number 8 patch on the sleeve of the Blues' jerseys, which I've learned was in honor of Blues legend Barclay Plager. (10 seasons as a player, and a few more as coach/assistant coach/interim coach)

Greg Millen
1990-91 Pro Set #56

This post goes full circle from Greg Millen appearing on a Blackhawks card, to actually being a member of the Blackhawks... Already had several copies of Greg Millen's Pro Set card. Pulled yet another one from a random re-packed pack.

Another Obscure LA Kings Goaltender...

Jamie Storr
1997-98 Leaf #138

Just happened to pull a lone 1997-98 Leaf card out of a random re-pack....

Only have a handful from this set, glad to find a good shot of a goaltender.

Jamie Storr
1995-96 Collector's Choice #213
[Player's Club Parallel]

Picked up this one last year, with a "complete set" of 1995-96 Collector's Choice...

(Technically got all 396 numbered cards - Although a few dozen are technically from the "Player's Club" parallel set.)

Jamie Storr spent almost a decade with the LA Kings, before playing 14 games with the Hurricanes during the 2003-04 season.

Obscure Goalie Cameo (Robb Stauber)

Mike Gartner
1993-94 Parkhurst #400

Didn't recognize the LA Kings goaltender with the painted mask on this card...

Wearing 35, Robb Stauber played 56 games for the Kings between 1989-1995.

Robb Stauber
1993-94 Topps Premier #109

Robb Stauber wore a couple different masks with the Kings. A closeup of the white mask can be found on the back of Stauber's 1993-94 Topps Premier card.

Robb Stauber
1994-95 Topps Premier #248

In EA Sports' NHL '94 video game, most teams have 2 available goaltenders. Stauber is one of 3 goalies on the roster for the Kings, along with Kelly Hrudey & Rick Knickle.

(Other teams in NHL '94 with three netminders are the Sabres, Whalers, Flyers, Sharks & Lightning)