The Bear-Shark Project...

Joe Thornton
2010-11 SP Authentic #34

After Joe Thornton departed from San Jose, I decided to take a look at other Sharks players who wore jersey number 19.

Joe Thornton facts from Wikipedia:

San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in points per game with 1.01.

Only player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy while switching teams in his winning campaign – 2005–06.

Marco Sturm
2003-04 Upper Deck #158

Being a relatively new franchise, San Jose only a few players don the number 19 jersey before Thornton arrived.

Coincidentally, Marco Sturm was one of the players traded to Boston for Joe Thornton).



San Jose Sharks players to wear number 19 before Joe Thornton:
Marco Sturm (1998-2006)
Jeff Friesen (1996)
Doug Zmolek (1993-1994)
Brian Mullen (1992)

Brian Mullen
1992-93 O-Pee-Chee #260

Brian Mullen was one of the first San Jose Sharks to wear number 19.

From the back of the card:

"In November he [Brian Mullen] scored a wrap-around in overtime to clinch the Sharks' first-ever win over LA"

Joe Thornton
2005-06 Upper Deck MVP #28

Joe Thornton with the Boston Bruins, during the pre-beard era.
(I swear that he and Brent Burns must have had a contest going)

Mariusz Czerkawski
1995-96 Collector's Choice #50
(Player's Club Parallel)

Some of the Boston Bruins players to wear number 19 before Joe Thornton:
Rob DiMaio (1997-2000)
Kevin Sawyer (1996)
Mariusz Czerkawski (1994-1996)
Dave Poulin (1990-1993)
Ray Neufeld (1989-1990)
Tom McCarthy (1987-1988)
Normand Leveille (1982-83)
Bobby Lalonde (1980-81)
Ab DeMarco (1979)

Joe Thornton
1999-00 Stadium Club #75

Curiously enough, Joe Thornton actually wore number 6 at the very beginning of his career.

Being an older franchise, numbers 2 thru 9 had already been retired by the Boston Bruins - with the exception of jersey number 6.

A relatively low number for a centreman, Thornton wore 6 from 1998 - 2000.

Number 19 became available in Boston when Rob Dimaio was traded to the NY Rangers.
Joe Thornton wore number 19 with Boston from 2000-2006.

Dick Redmond
1981-82 O-Pee-Chee #9

Some of the Boston Bruins Players to Wear Number 6 Before Joe Thornton:
Alexei Kasatonov (1995-1996)
Glen Featherstone (1992-1994)
Gord Kluzak (1983-1991)
Dick Redmond (1978-82)
Mike Forbes (1978)
Dennis O'Brien (1978)
Clayton Pachal (1977)
Darryl Edestrand (1974-1978)
Nick Beverley (1973-74)
Ted Green (1961-1972)

SHARK WEEK: (Day 9) Shark Finn!

Antti Niemi
2014-15 Upper Deck #405

Couldn't believe this guys spent 5 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, earning 25 shutouts in 296 games.

He even led the league with 24 wins in the shortened 2012-13 season. (Also logged more minutes than any other netminder that year)

Just a great composition with the goaltender reacting to something.
He's in position, but appears to be attempting to field an unexpected high shot.

No puck visible, but the fans seem to be having a good time.
Is someone about to spill their popcorn?

SHARK WEEK (Day 8): Fish Heads, Fish Heads...

Evgeni Nabokov
2003-04 Upper Deck #163

It's the Shark Week Edition of Freaky Mask Friday!

Evgeni Nabokov 's Shark mask features what appears to be a skeleton feeding (or baiting) a Shark with fish heads.

Evgeni Nabokov
2003-04 Topps #168

Another card from the same year.
The teal-colored border really goes well with the Shark's uniforms.

Evgeni Nabokov
2004-05 Upper Deck Artifacts #83

2005-06 Upper Deck Artifacts
Total Cards: 242
(100 base cards, the rest are serial numbered, with rookies distributed through redemption exchange)

Only have six cards from this set - And FOUR of them are goaltenders!

Back of the card makes mention of his shutouts in previous seasons...
Nabokov managed an incredible 9 shutouts in 2003-04.

SHARK WEEK: Numbers Game...

Tom Pederson
1993-94 Upper Deck #92

Ever fascinated with the "high numbers" throughout the Sharks' roster - Especially during the early years.

Sorting my duplicates pile and netted number 41.

SHARK WEEK (Day 7): Hungy For Action...

Paul Martin
2017-18 Upper Deck #157

My favorite part of this card is the women in the San Jose crowd reacting to the hit...

One girl cringes at the bone-crushing bodycheck, while the other girl laughs and cheers.

The Edmonton Oilers fan in the next row appears to be a big fan of french fries...

SHARK WEEK (Day 6): High Society...

Steve Bernier
2005-06 In the Game
Heroes & Prospects #265

Lurking Outside the Net...

The first post here during Shark Week that doesn't feature a goaltender...

It caught my eye because it appears to be a shark with a monacle.

From Wikipedia:

" The Cleveland Barons were a professional American ice hockey team in the AHL. They played in Cleveland, Ohio between 2001 and 2006.

Named in honor of the popular Barons team that played in the AHL and its forerunners from 1929 to 1973 and the NHL team of the same name.

The Barons name was revived in 2001 when the San Jose Sharks purchased their AHL affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades, and relocated them to Cleveland, where they would play at the arena which was owned and operated by Sharks owners George and Gordon Gund. The Gunds had also owned the NHL Barons, who played in the NHL in the late 1970s before being merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.

The franchise relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts, for the 2006–07 season and became the Worcester Sharks."

SHARK WEEK (Day 5): Jaws of Life...

Jimmy Waite
1994-95 Parkhurst #214

Catch of the day is a Great White Shark on the mask of Jimmy Waite.

SHARK WEEK (Day 4): Goal Mouth Frenzy...

Martin Jones
2016-17 Upper Deck #153

Martin Jones playing for the San Jose Sharks, sporting the 25th anniversary patch on his jersey.

Remarkably, the girls in the crowd don't even have their faces buried in their phones!

Those jaws are open wide enough to swallow a hot dog...

SHARK WEEK (Day 3): Baracudda...?

Steve Shields
1999-00 Topps Stadium Club #137

Gotta love the big shark on Steve Shields' mask.

Also an exciting snapshot of the goaltender leaving the net to play the puck.

Steve Shields
1999-00 Topps Stadium Club #137
(card back)

Back of the card offers a much better view of the Shark...

Just noticing that it's not actually the Sharks' jersey he's wearing here - Possibly a minor league affiliate like the Barracudas...

SHARK WEEK (Day 2): Hack It...

Jeff Hackett
1992-93 Pinnacle #105

Reeled in this Shark from a re-pack.

Jeff Hackett was one of the poor unfortunate souls who was taken in the Expansion Draft (from the NY Islanders), ground into chum and  fed to the brand-new Expansion Team San Jose Sharks.

The 1991-92 San Jose Sharks finished dead last, with the worst NHL regular season record of all time. (Today's Expansion Teams are fixed in such a way that they can go all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year...)

FIVE different netminders saw action for the Sharks during that first dreadful year (Hackett, Myllys, Irbe, Hayward, Flaherty)

Hackett also has the distinction of having played for three of the Original Six teams (Chicago, Montreal and Boston)

Did not already have this card in my collection, so for me it's a decent catch.

Jeff Hackett
1991-92 O-Pee-Chee Premier #108

Two cards from my existing collection.
First up, is Jeff Hackett's card from 1991-92 OPC Premier.

Jeff Hackett
1992-93 Upper Deck #308

Obtained a few copies of this card a few years ago when I finished my 1992-93 Upper Deck set.

Didn't have this one back in the day. Digging the overhead angle - Plus the surreal blue paint of the goal crease.

SHARK WEEK: Shark Hunting...

Brian Hayward
1992-93 Pinnacle #266

Kicking off SHARK WEEK with Freaky Mask Friday and one of the coolest hockey cards ever - Brian Hayward's card from the very first edition of Pinnacle Masks.

This card is part of the base card set. Future releases saw the Pinnacle Masks become a separate subset.

Brian Hayward wore a rather unique goalie mask during his brief tenure with the San Jose Sharks...



I remember seeing a full sized poster of his mask and thought it was awesome... But had never actually owned a card featuring the infamous shark mask.

Had caught a few glimpses of his mask on other cards...

 

Mark Tinordi
1991-92 Pro Set Platinum #58

1991-92 was the debut year for the Sharks franchise.
It also happened to be the 75th anniversary of the NHL - So all team uniforms featured a commemorative "NHL 75" patch.

Mike Sullivan
1992-93 O-Pee-Chee #144

Barely noticeable, but the Shark mask is there - Albeit out of focus and in the background.

Pretty sure there's at least one other card in my collection with a Brian Hayward cameo with the mask. If I find it, my intention is to add it to this post...

Warding Off Canon Fire...

Cam Ward
2017-18 Upper Deck #38

An awesome looking card for Freaky Mask Friday - The Pirate theme kicks some serious booty.

Rather appropriate, as just off the coast of Carolina is the final resting place of Captain Blackbeard's notorious flagship, the QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE.

Even more awesome, is the fact that Cam Ward is just about to rob somebody with his glove.

The card almost earns another bonus point for partial NHL 100th anniversary logo on the boards.

Really hoping to acquire a duplicate copy of this card for my treasure chest of collectable swag.

Holy Painted Masks, Batman...

Ken Wregget
1995-96 Upper Deck #108

It's The Penguin!

This villain hasn't made as many film appearances compared to Batman's other foes, but it's always memorable when we get to see this diabolical rogue.

Ken Wregget
1995-96 Upper Deck #108
(card back)

At this angle we can get a half decent look...
Bonus point for puck in view.

The goalie definitely has more armor than the Dark Knight.

Freaky Mask Friday (Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues)

Jordan Binnington
2019-20 Upper Deck #123

Once again, not really a "freaky" mask.
I just thought the colors were freakin' cool.

2019 Stanley Cup winning goaltender Jordan Binnington, wearing jersey number 50 - Which seems to be more and more common.

Fast Eddie...

Ed Belfour
1995-96 Pinnacle #153

A half-decent look at Ed Belfour's iconic eagle for Freaky Mask Friday.

Organizing my duplicates, and was once again thrilled to discover an extra copy of this card. (Might even put it in a toploader and stick it to my wall)

We saw the bird appear with all kinds of color schemes, from gold & green in Dallas, to blue in San Jose...

Ed Belfour
1993-94 Leaf #62

But it's the red one from his early days with the Hawks that instantly comes to mind when thinking of Eddie The Eagle.

I Don't Give a Hoot...

Jock Callender
1993-94 Upper Deck #10
(card back)

In more ways than one, a pair of expansion teams are just like fake boobs...

From just the second page of the 1993-94 Upper Deck album, surprised I hadn't noticed this before - On the back of the card, there's a Hooters ad on the boards.

Hooters restaurant is renowned for their excellent food, including juicy breasts, delectable thighs - And more fresh buns than you can shake a hockey stick at.



Jock Callender spent a good portion of his career in the IHL, playing for the Cleveland Lumberjacks - Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 1998-99 and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1992-97.

Callender saw playoff action with the Pittsburgh in 1989 & 1992.

Was completely unaware that he's credited with a Stanley Cup win with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992, appearing in 12 Playoff games that season.

"Hope you enjoyed that kids, 'cause Krusty's outta here for the summer!"

Once the Stanley Cup is won, I don't give a crap about hockey memorabilia.
Sure, I LOVE my favorite sport...

But there's too much adventure to be had!
Fish are waiting to be caught - And beach bunnies are begging to be gawked at.

Summer posts scheduled ahead of time:
A weekly "Freaky Mask Friday" followed by "SHARK WEEK" later in July....


With any luck, I'll be on an island chillin' my ass off (and hopefully catching fish that aren't big enough to eat my boat).

Freaky Mask Friday (John Vanbiesbrouck, Philadelphia Flyers)

John Vanbiesbrouck
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #201

Always excited to see a Beezer mask I've never seen before.

Don't normally associate John Vanbiesbrouck with the Philadelphia Flyers.

He spent 2 seasons with the Flyers, playing 112 games.
(Compared to 449 games with the Rangers and 268 with the Panthers)

Just realizing that the shape of his unusual mask offered more canvas for art than a typical mask...

Cashin' in on Kachina Merch... (Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes)

Mike Smith
2016-17 Upper Deck #12

For Freaky Mask Friday, it's Mike Smith rockin' the oldschool Phoenix Coyotes jersey... With a painted mask to match.

Another "new" card that I was missing to finish my set.

The team name may have been changed to the "Arizona Coyotes" for state-wide marketing purposes - But to me, the desert dogs will always be the Phoenix Coyotes.


It's also a great action pose of veteran journeyman goaltender Mike Smith.

It would be quicker to list the number of teams this guy hasn't played for.

From Art Ross to Zenith...

Martin St. Louis
2010-11 Panini Zenith #99

Just THREE cards in my collection so far...
Eerily, I have card numbers 33, 66 and 99.


Picked up my first two within a massive acquisition a few years ago.
Recently found this one in a re-pack.

From the back of the card:

"A key piece of Tampa's 2004 Stanley Cup team, St. Louis also won the Hart and Art Ross Trophies that year..."

Even decades later, that magical season is still unforgettable.




Thought that 2004 might have been the last time that the NHL's leading scorer was also on the Stanley Cup winning team...




Didn't realize that Evgeni Malkin won the scoring title AND The Cup (with Pittsburgh) in 2009.

Others have come close - Each of the Sedin twins (of Vancouver) managed to won the scoring race (in 2010
& 2011 respectively) only to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals (to Boston).

Patrick Kane won the Art Ross trophy in 2015-16, the season AFTER winning a Stanley Cup (with Chicago).

Waiting for Gaborik...

Quick /  Kopitar / Gaborik
Series 1 Checklist
2014-15 Upper Deck #199

Nearly a decade ago, the Los Angeles Kings hoisted the Stanley Cup...


Back in his rookie season, Marian Gaborik (then of the Minnesota Wild) made it as far as the Western Conference Finals...

Shown here with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, Gaborik's previous postseason was - Ironically playing for the New York Rangers in 2012.

He also managed to play a couple of part-seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets (no playoffs to speak of there!).

Gaborik and the Kings defeated the Rangers to capture the Stanley Cup in 2014.

Marian Gaborik managed to produce decent numbers, accumulating 58 points in 84 career playoff games.

Lundqvist/  Nash / St. Louis
Series 1 Checklist
2014-15 Upper Deck #200

The New York Rangers wear their Stanley Cup badges on the shoulder - possibly the only team I've ever seen do so.


After an appearance in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers would battle back all the way to the 2015 Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.


Didn't even realize that Rick Nash played 12 Playoff games with the Boston Bruins in 2018.


Martin St. Louis managed to win a Cup as a member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning.

Diggin' Like a Badger...

Jeff Friesen
2003-04 Upper Deck #112

Didn't realize that Jeff Friesen was briefly member of the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks from 2000-2002.

The New Jersey Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Final.

This means Friesen was playing against (some of) his former teammates.
(The Mighty Ducks had missed the playoffs the previous season)

Impressively, Friesen scored 10 goals (and added 4 assists) for 14 points during the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Martin Brodeur
2003-04 Upper Deck #117

Undeniably the best-known member of the New Jersey Devils...

Eyes on the prize, the veteran netminder is poised to snatch that puck before anyone has a chance with it.

In addition to the stellar play of Martin Brodeur, he evolved into somewhat of a spiritual leader in the locker rom.

Freaky Mask Friday (Antti Raanta, Chicago Blackhawks)

Antti Raanta
2014-15 Upper Deck #288

A refreshing break from overly complex mask designs...

This one is simple but effective. The shading can only be appreciated from close-up, but it's a nice touch.

Expansion Dream...

Francois Beauchemin
2007-08 Upper Deck #73

Two Expansion Teams playing for the 2023 Stanley Cup...

Vegas Golden Knights (est. 2017) against the Florida Panthers (est. 1996).

I believe this is just the second time in the "modern era"
that two expansion teams have made it to the Finals...

In 2007 the Anaheim Ducks (est. 1993) defeated the Ottawa Senators (est. 1992).

Gotta love Chris Neil's facial expression...
One sportscaster described it best:

"Looks like somebody stole his teddy bear."

I Don't Think So, Tim...

Tim Thomas
2007-08 Upper Deck MVP #43

Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins with an early mask.
Really like that bear.

Photo from just his third season, I honestly didn't recognize him.

Seems his preferred masks are atypical of NHL goaltenders...

Tim Thomas
2010-11 Upper Deck #265
(UD 20th Anniversary Variation)

This is the mask style that I more commonly associate with Tim Thomas.

Even the cage isn't the usual "cat eye" style.

This look reminds me of Don Beaupre or Mike Liut (both of whom coincidentally played for the Washington Capitals)

Ball Fans...

Jamie Langenbrunner
2007-08 Upper Deck MVP #96

Here's a New York Knicks logo (NBA Basketball) on the boards of an NHL Hockey rink..

My hockey card collection now has (at least) one card containing a baseball, football, and now a basketball (even a card of a hockey player with a soccer ball).

Which brings up this card...






 

 

Brent Seabrook
2010-11 Upper Deck #157
(UD 20th Anniversary Variation)

Fan wearing a sweater "Gahannah Lady Lions".
Looks like a basketball to me...

Google search results elude to a softball team.
But apparently there are basketball AND softball teams out of Gahannah, Ohio.

Double Take...

Christian Ruuttu
1992-93 Upper Deck #446

Couple of cards from the duplicate pile that get a second look...
Both from 1992-93 Upper Deck Series 2.


This card actually never caught my attention before.
Excellent composition, buried deep within the set.

Even has a cameo appearance of Hall of Famer Jarri Kurri of the LA Kings.

Bonus point for the Budweiser ad on the boards.

David Emma
1992-93 Upper Deck #462

David Emma of the New Jersey Devils harassing a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins (pretty sure it's Jaromir Jagr).

Series 1 depicted both teams with their "old" uniforms, while Series 2 features the stylish new uniforms debuted by the Devils and Penguins during the 1992-93 season.

Big Yellow Birds...

Kris Letang
2019-20 Upper Deck #352

My eyes are finally getting adjusted to Pittsburgh's yellow helmets - Although this card looks much worse when scanned than it does in hand.

The team may have ditched the yellow lids back in 1988 - But brought them back again from 2018-2021.

2016-17 Upper Deck (Completed Set)

Marian Hossa
2016-17 Upper Deck #43

Surprisingly, I was only missing 24 cards from the 2016-17 Upper Deck base set.

Pretty incredible, considering I only busted open a single pack...

So where the hell did they all come from?

Had been accumulating them at a steady pace from re-packs, but you can't really build a set that way.

Since I'm only interested in base cards, had picked up an unsealed tin with a good number of "new" cards . Also got an opened box with loose cards around the same time. Even had the entire Series 2 given to me for free.

Artemi Panarin
2016-17 Upper Deck #40

During a mass acquisition a couple years ago, I scored a binder full of 2016-17 Upper Deck. It was actually the entire Series 1, with the cards slightly out of order. Just going through it now, I was sitting on a completed set without realizing it.

Noticed a ski hat like this one on a member of the crowd on the Hossa card above.
Bonus point for the black war paint.

Cam Ward
2016-17 Upper Deck #34

Like the pirate skeleton on Ward's mask.

Looks especially awesome with the Canes' black jerseys.

Jaromir Jagr
2016-17 Upper Deck #81

The NHL's 2nd all-time leading scorer...

Played a full season with the Florida Panthers, before briefly joining the Calgary Flames for 22 games in 2017-18.

He left the NHL after playing for NINE different franchises.

While long since "retired" from the NHL, old man Jagr is still racking up points overseas in the Czech League (EHL).

At this rate, it seems like he'll keep rockin' forever. He's like the Keith Richards of hockey...

Checklist
(Sidney Crosby, Joe Pavelski)
2016-17 Upper Deck #199

"Retro" Penguins uniforms, with the teal blue of the San Jose Sharks... Takes me right back to the 90s.


Checklists are another dislike of mine - But I feel the Stanley Cup Playoffs don't get nearly enough attention on cardboard, so I actually do enjoy cards like this.

Stanley Cup Finalists, with Stanley Cup Finals badges visible.