Barkin' Up The Right Tree...

Aleksander Barkov
2019-20 Parkhurst #48

Florida Panthers eliminate the Boston Bruins in overtime!

The Panthers led midway through the game, Boston pushes ahead late before the Panthers tie it up and win in overtime.

On this dark, rainy afternoon, I busted open my very last pack of 2019-20 Parkhurst, finding this card of the Panthers' Captain Alexander Barkov.

Had bought 5 jumbo packs (containing 30 cards each).
This means I've acquired a total of 150 cards. Of course, several inserts and maybe a dozen duplicates won't count towards the 320 card-base set.

Found the most interesting part of this card to be the "CAPTAIN" designation on the arm. He's got the standard "C" on his sweater - But the military style rank on the upper sleeve is a neat touch. (Anyone with an "A" on their sweater is also designated as "ALTERNATE" on the arm band.)

Bonus point for the Panthers 25th Anniversary badge on his jersey.
Almost did a double take - Had to do the math to realize that this Expansion Team has already been around for a quarter century!

From the back of the card:

"Barkov established a new Panthers' single season record for points in 2018-19, topping the standard Pavel Bure set in 1999-00 (94) [points]."

Bear-Cat Blast...

Ray Bourque
1994-95 Select #18

Who could have imagined a full seven game series between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers?

The Cats have managed to claw their way back against the mighty Bruins.

Boston set an NHL record in 2023 for the most successful regular season ever. Imagine if this "near perfect" season was ended by a first-round Playoff exit at the paws of an undercat.


A "retro" card featuring both teams...
Both players on this card are legendary within their respective franchises: Bruin defender Ray Bourque against Panther Scott Mellanby (first player to score a "rat trick").

Tamp Stamp...

Rob Zamuner
1993-94 Upper Deck #202

The Tampa Bay Lightning managed to get zapped by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Another "retro" card to mark this NHL Playoff Series between the Bolts and Buds...

Before this 2023 series victory by Toronto, the second-oldest NHL franchise had not won a playoff series in nearly two decades!

Green Bishop...

Ben Bishop
2020-21 Upper Deck #58

A scene from what now seems like a really long time ago - The NHL outdoor game between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators on January 1, 2020.

Bonus point for the "Winter Classic" badge visible on his jersey.
The oldschool "leather" style of the pads, blended with green is actually a nice touch.

Ben Bishop's NHL resume includes stops in St Louis, Ottawa, Tampa, LA and Dallas.

The Dallas Stars would also appear in the Stanley Cup Finals in the (rather messed up) 2020 Playoffs. - After a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Stars would also miss the Playoffs the following season (2020-21) .

Jon Casey
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #48

Couldn't resist this older card of (North) Stars goaltender Jon Casey.

A blast from the past with a genuinely retro goalie getup.
(old enough to be called vintage?)

Jon Casey
1990-91 Upper Deck #385
(card back)

Yet another Casey card that I've scanned but hadn't uploaded - Until now.

This time, he's got a white bucket on his head.

Once again, it's a mad scramble in the crease, with a maze sticks and legs.

I'm definitely a fan of cards like this.

Jon Casey
1990-91 Upper Deck #385

Despite an older photo on the reverse side, the front of this particular card actually depicts Casey with the "modern" goalie mask, painted with stars.

Man, I love the 90s!

Canes Blow Through Isles...

Jeff O'Neill
2000-01 O-Pee-Chee #121

A two-decade old card to mark the playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders.

The Hurricanes eliminated the Islanders in six games...

Game 2 and Game 6 were both decided in overtime, while Game 1 and Game 5 were also one-goal decisions.

These two teams have only met twice in the NHL Playoffs.

Carolina has won both times, in 2019 and 2023.

Abomination!

Peter Budaj
2007-08 Upper Deck #58

Another card destined for the duplicates pile - But wait!

Already own this set in its' entirety. But pulling this card from a re-pack caused me to notice the Sasquatch monster on the side of Peter Budaj's mask for Freaky Mask Friday.

Budaj spent the first 6 years of his NHL career with Colorado - Before moving on to Montreal, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay. Also returned for a brief, second stint with LA.

Bird Watchin'

Ryan Whitney
2006-07 Upper Deck #159

Have just half a dozen cards from this particular set.

Spotted a Looney Toons Roadrunner ad with the Penguins on the road...

Really don't care what product he's shilling for.
Instantly becomes one of my favorite new acquisitions.

Beep! Beep!

Glen Wesley
1991-91 Upper Deck #370

Reminds me of this card, with an ad on the boards that features Peanuts cartoon character Snoopy playing hockey, dressed in full goalie gear.

Scot Stevens also makes a cameo appearance.
Two defencemen mixing it up... This has to be unusual on cardboard, I would think.

Taylor Hall
2015-16 Upper Deck #75

Add another cartoon character to the list...
It's Popeye The Sailor Man!

Wild, Wild West...

Jason Spezza
2016-17 Upper Deck #62

A quick post inspired by the 2023 NHL Playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild...

The Stars score a goal in Minnesota, and nobody cares...
Every visible fan seams to be wearing Minnesota Wild apparel.

I just find it amusing because the Dallas Stars were originally the Minnesota North Stars... until 1994. Now the old franchise is back in town, embroiled in a Playoff series against the "new" Minnnesota expansion team.

Makes me wonder if any fans still wear their North Stars jerseys while cheering for the "road" team...

Just now realizing that the teams previously met in the 2016 Playoffs, with Dallas emerging as the victor. It's even feasible that this snapshot could have been taken at that time.

Jason Spezza
2017-18 Upper Deck #61

Couldn't help but notice that Jason Spezza's card from the following season is equally entertaining...

Maybe Corey Perry is dodging out of the way... But at a glance, it looks as if Spezza is nailing him with an elbow on the way by.

Either way, a pair of highly amusing cards.
Fortunately, I have duplicates available for my favorites binder.

Steve Reinprecht
2007-08 Upper Deck MVP #87

Also stumbled upon this card...
Is that a Minnesota North Stars jersey in the crowd???

From a decade earlier, and likely in the Phoenix Coyotes' arena - But still interesting, nonetheless...

Jazzy Blue Version...

Jake Allen
2016-17 Upper Deck
Shining Stars Blue #SS-45

Although I'm constantly venting my dislike of insert subsets and "chase cards", just happened to add this one to my stack. This particular card is very clean without being overdone.

There's a regular  Shining Stars subset in 2016-17 Upper Deck - Along with a Shining Stars Blue parallel set.

The blue theme just happens to work really well with the Blues motif.

Also a big fan of this particular St. Louis Blues uniform, so it instantly becomes a favorite within my collection.

Sacre Bleu: Jake Allen now plays for the Montreal Canadiens.

America's Got The Talented Mr. Blackwell...

Colin Blackwell
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #222

Didn't pull many rookies from 2019-20 Upper Deck MVP...

After buying THREE boxes and making some trades, finally managed to finish the base set. Worth it for the experience and fun of building a set - But relatively expensive, considering.

Drafted by the Sharks in 2011, Colin Blackwell finally makes his NHL debut here with the Nashville Predators.

Fun fact: Colin Blackwell played hockey at Harvard!
Pronounciation: \HAW-vahdd\

PK Subban makes a cameo on Colin Blackwell's card.
Just wish Nashville would lose the yellow buckets (in favor of navy blue, perhaps)...

2014-15 Upper Deck (Completed Set)

Dwight King
2014-15 Upper Deck #88

Picked up 2014-15 Upper Deck Series 2 to go along with Series 1 which I had found the previous year.

From the very first card I found, to eventually acquiring the entire set... Definitely brings back some of that magic from a simpler time.

An all-round terrific set with a good design and so many great photographs.

Great snapshot of the puck in the net.

Kyle Palmieri
2014-15 Upper Deck #4

Kyle Palmieri tucks it home, puck still visible in the net.

Great card to have on the very first page of the album.

Martin Erat
2014-15 Upper Deck #260

Nothing like scoring a goal against your old team...

Former Nashville Predator Martin Erat celebrates a goal as a member of the Arizona Coyotes.

The yellow-clad Nashville fans are definitely not impressed.

Martin Brodeur
2014-15 Upper Deck #416

Just looks so strange seeing Martin Brodeur in a St. Louis Blues uniform...

After spending countless seasons in New Jersey, it's definitely curious that he chose to finish his career with several games playing for St. Louis.

(Oddly enough, another former Rookie of the Year and eventual Stanley Cup winner Tom Barasso finished his career by playing six games with the Blues)

Corey Crawford
2014-15 Upper Deck #44

Goaltender bumping helmets with a teammate, presumably after a Hawks victory. Nice shot of the mask, and a very striking card overall.

Dominator: Salvation...

Dominik Hasek
1999-00 Upper Deck
Sixth Sense #SS16

1999-00 Upper Deck
Sixth Sense (Insert Subset)
Total Cards: 20

Inserted 1:5 (Series Two packs)

Another insert subset that made me go "meh".

All those numbers in the background really annoy me.
Actually looks better when scanned - In hand, it like a jigsaw puzzle.

But a turn-of-the century Hasek for my collection?
I'll take it!

Hasek and the Sabres on a miraculous run to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals...

He may have ultimately won the Cup with the Wings later in his career, but this is how I'll always remember Hasek - For better or worse, sporting the black, red & white Sabres uniform at the height of his career.

Decades later, this uniform is relatively likeable compared to all the crap they've tried.

The Buffalo Sabres are like the girl who keeps changing her look every six months...
A complete and total identity crisis.

Kraken' The Lineup...

Jamie Oleksiak
2021-22 Upper Deck #685

My first card featuring a member of the newly formed Seattle Kraken.

Pulled from a re-pack - I now have FOUR cards from the 2021-22 Upper Deck set.

Still unsure whether I like the set design.
Looks rather similar to the previous years' design.

Been away from the hobby for the past few seasons, so the new sets all look the same to me. (The overall layout even looks a bit similar to 1994-95 Upper Deck)

Almost did a double take when I looked at the card number - The last UD set that I can remember having this many cards was  1991-92 Upper Deck (700 cards).


In addition to the standard Series 1 (released March 2022) and Series 2 (released June 2022), Upper Deck issued an "Extended Series" in August 2022 featuring card numbers 501-700.

This is the second consecutive year for the "Extended Series" (just learning that 2020-21 Upper Deck had 730 cards).

Apparently the 2021-22 Upper Deck set contains a total of 750!
Yet another set that I definitely won't be finishing.

Jamie Oleksiak
2021-22 Upper Deck #685
(card back)

Taking a moment to appreciate the back - Mostly because this is the first time I've really had a chance to examine the Seattle Kracken logo and uniform.


This "Extended Series" really baffles me. Sure, there are traded players (Dzingel, Foligno and Yandle) pictured with their new teams. The Seattle Kraken first appear in cards 627-631. Remainder of the team can be found in numbers 679 thru 698.

Still glad to find it - But it's kinda sad that this card was stuffed into a re-pack less than six months after it was released.

I'm obsessed with hockey - But after the Stanley Cup Champions are crowned, it's fishin' season - And I couldn't give a rat's ass about newly released hockey card sets. (That's what winter is for!)

Spring Cleaning My Card Collection...

Found a couple loose cards from 1993-94 Score that belong in the binder with the rest.

I think this is the only card I have that depicts Ciccarelli near his own net... (Typically, he's busy harassing the other team's goaltender)

Bonus point for goaltender Tim Cheveldae in the background with a checkered flag on his mask.

Just noticed these teammates wearing numbers 22 and 32 respectively.

Card Stock...

Alexander Ovechkin
2019-20 SP Authentic #100

A small pile of these cards stacking up as well (and printed on extra thick cardstock).

Figured it was special to land Ovechkin.

Have collected 21 cards from this 251 card set.

Eric Staal
2019-20 SP Authentic #27

Possibly the first card I have of Eric Staal in a Minnesota Wild uniform.

Striking Oil...

Los Angeles Kings (Team Card)
1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #305

With the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers meeting in the playoffs for consecutive seasons, it's a good opportunity to appreciate this card from 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee.

The newly acquired Kelly Hrudey backstopping the LA Kings, with his blue headband visible.

Bonus point for Kings logo and "Merch" ad on the boards.


The Kings and Oilers met 6 times during an 8 year span between 1985 and 1992. It was especially memorable time, considering Gretzky "switched sides".

Following the meeting during the 1992 Playoffs, it wouldn't be until 2022 (30 years later) that these two teams would encounter each other during the NHL Postseason.

Just so happens they've now met in the Playoffs during consecutive years now.

Ducks and Tigers...

J-S Giguere
2008-09 In The Game
Between The Pipes #64

Head on look at the crazed Duck on J.S. Giguere's mask for Freaky Mask Friday.

From the back of the card:

"Anaheim stole him from the Calgary Flames on June 10, 2000 in exchange for a second round draft pick"

Jean-Sebastien Giguere
1999-00 Upper Deck #30

Looking back to Giguere's days in Calgary (wearing number 47).
On his mask is a vicious, flaming cat.

Big Oh... (Card Number 421)

Mattias Ohlund
2009-10 O-Pee-Chee #421

Just added this card to my collection.
Seemed rather fitting for April 21...

From the early days when Upper Deck took over the production of O-Pee-Chee cards. Seems they didn't quite know what do do with their newly acquired OPC brand.

They seemed to feel the need to emphasize the "O-Pee-Chee" name, sporting one weird design after another, making the "O-Pee-Chee" logo being as big as possible.



Was surprised to learn that Mattias Ohlund was still in the league at this time... The big Swedish-born defenceman had a relatively long NHL career, lasting 13 seasons. He also  managed to accumulate 885 Penalty Minutes.

First 11 years spent with Vancouver Canucks, his final two seasons as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.



The Vancouver Canucks are forever going through an identity crisis, constantly changing their logo, uniforms and overall color scheme (not unlike the Buffalo Sabres). I wish these teams would just pick one of their god-awful motifs and stick with it!

Another prime example of how the NHL is alienating their existing fanbase... When I turn on the TV, I have no idea who's even playing anymore because teams are constantly swapping color palettes!

Don't Fear The Reefer...

Stu Grimson
1993-94 Parkhurst #277

It's Stu "The Grim Reaper" Grimson...
With a tie-dye sportin' hippe in the background.
Far out, man.

From the back of the card:

"Claimed from Chicago in 1993 Expansion Draft."

Celebration Time... (Card Number 420)

Steven Rice
1991-92 Score #420

Enjoying the Four-Twenty festivities with this card.

As I continue to sort my nineties junk wax, the images often take me on a trip full of nostalgia...

Flightless Birds...

Matt Murray
2017-18 Upper Deck #148

From Wikipedia:

"The Pittsburgh Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2005–06 NHL season, ending the NHL's longest active playoff streak at sixteen consecutive seasons.

The longest active streak moved to the Boston Bruins & Toronto Maple Leafs at seven consecutive seasons after the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals also had their eight-season playoff streaks end."

"For the first time since 1990, both Pennsylvania-based teams (the Flyers and Penguins) missed the playoffs in the same season."

Man of Many Masks...

John Vanbiesbrouck
1995-96 Upper Deck #321

Freaky Mask Friday - Continually surprised at the huge collection of masks worn by John Vanbiesbrouck.

Here's Beezer playing for the Panthers - WITHOUT the iconic golden cat on his mask... It's one of his Bumblebee masks which I'd often heard about, but seldom seen.

He must have briefly worn the alternate mask, captured here in this snapshot.

John Vanbiesbrouck
1994-95 Upper Deck #SP-31

Of course, this is THE iconic mask from the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Can't even recall If I was cheering for Florida or Colorado during that series. I liked both teams. Always a fan of the underdog, I may have been secretly hoping to see Florida win.

Four-Ten...

Mark Recchi
1992-93 Topps #410

En Guarde!

In this snapshot, it almost appears as if the players are dueling with their hockey sticks.


Recchi's facial expression also adds to the enjoyment of this card.

Who You Gonna Call...?

Cam Talbot
2015-16 Upper Deck #329

It's Freaky Mask Friday!

This time it's Cam Talbot with the Edmonton Oilers.

Normally I dislike cards where the player is just stepping onto the ice...

But getting a half-decent look Cam Talbot's Ghostbusters mask, this card instantly becomes a favorite within the set.

Is that Slimer on top of his helmet?