Cool Card: Curtis Joseph (2002-03 Upper Deck #64)

Curtis Joseph
2002-03 Upper Deck #64

In a world full of fake smiles and insincerities, Cujo can barely contain his excitement as he joins the Detroit Red Wings organization.

He even gets to retain his number 31, which he wore throughout his entire NHL career.

Hoped his move to Detroit would finally be his chance to win a Stanley Cup, but it wasn't meant to be. Curtis Joseph remains one of the best goaltenders to never win the elusive trophy.

Shadow Games...

Groundhog Day

Mark Messier
2002-03 Pacific #256

Feelin' a bit like Bill Murray with a serious case of Deja-Vu.


Shane Corson is an excellent shadow-man, and he makes a cameo appearance on several players' cards within 2002-03 Pacific...

To find the same player harassing FOUR star players within a 410 card set, it's actually rather impressive. A very neat occurrence.

(Having nearly collected 75% of the set, would be amused to find Corson on other cards)

Here's Shane Corson making sure his Mark doesn't make a Mess of the scoresheet...

Vincent Damphousse
2002-03 Pacific #332

I used to get Shayne Corson and Vincent Damphousse mixed up.

They were born in 1966 and 1967 respectively...
Both of them are former first round picks (8th and 6th).

But I believe the confusion arose by the fact that each played for Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal - And BOTH of them wore 21 for Edmonton at some point...

They were also traded for one another during the 1992 offseason.

Shayne Corson
(with Jeremy Roenick cameo)
2002-03 Pacific #358

On Shayne Corson's actual card within this 2002-03 Pacific set, he's checking Jeremy Roenick.

Jaromir Jagr
2002-03 Pacific #392

Coach: "I want you all over that guy like cheese on a pizza."

Certainly not the first card I've seen of Jaromir Jagr being "Czeched" by one of the other team's best defensive players...

The card earns a bonus point for pizza ad on the boards.

Also noticing that many stripes adorn the socks of Toronto's turn of the Century uniforms.

Re-Pack Pack-Rip...

Curtis Joseph RC
1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier #51

Hadn't opened any cardboard in a few years as I continue to sort my existing stacks.

Suddenly had the urge to feast my eyes on a plethora of previously unseen images.

Of course it could be a total bust - But as long as long as they're not duplicates, I'm happy to add them to my collection.

Already had this one from OPC Premier...
But certainly happy to add an extra Cujo card.
From one of the fabled sets I never thought I'd own.

Jagr is of course  the big card in the 1990-91 OPC set. A quick lookup indicates that this Curtis Joseph rookie card used to be valued at $8.00.
Modern book value is around 18 cents.

Definitely got my daily dose of nostalgia with this one.

Alexei Kovalev
2002-03 SPX #60

Surprisingly didn't already have any cards from this set...

2002-03 SPX
Total Cards: 175

I would only consider the first 100 cards of the set to be base cards... The cards in the 101-174 range appear to be short-printed and serial numbered (because they enjoy sucking the fun right out of the hobby).

Won the Stanley Cup in his rookie season after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Alexei Kovalev also played for Montreal and Pittsburgh.

(Briefly with Ottawa, a quick return stint with the Pens, finishing his career with 14 games in Florida)


From the back of the card:

"The superstar Russian winger has collected over 300 points in a Penguins' uniform."

Surprisingly, Kovalev earned more points as a Penguin than he did with any other team...
He scored more points in six seasons with Pittsburgh than he did playing nine years in New York.

The Penguins were definitely not an exciting team in 2002-03. Aside from Kovalev (and short-printed Prospect #121 Shane Endicott) the only other Pittsburgh player in the set is Mario Lemieux.

Marc-Andre Fleury
2021-22 Upper Deck #540

Haven't busted a single pack of 2020-21 or 2021-22 Upper Deck.
(To me, they're one and the same)

Any cards acquired have trickled into my collection via re-packs.
No big stars, but no duplicates either...

Acquired in the off-season, and dealt at the trade deadline, Marc-Andre Fleury has since settled with the Minnesota Wild.

Here he is with the Chicago Blackhawks. Digging the color of the goalie pads that actually looks like oldschool leather (whether it's intentional or not).

Visible on the team jersey is a black 35 patch worn by the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2021-2022 season to honor the passing of legendary Hawk's goaltender Tony Esposito.
(Stan Mikita's jersey 21 receiving similar treatment in 2018-19)

Looking at a few images from Marc-Andre Fleury's previous season with the Vegas Golden Knights, he wore very similar pads and the motif certainly doesn't look out of place with Chicago's colors.

Also just noticed that Fleury has managed to keep his number 29 throughout his NHL career.

Buffalo Biron...

Martin Biron
2002-03 O-Pee Chee #115

For Freaky Mask Friday, a closeup look at Martin Biron's mask from the Buffalo Sabres' red, white and black era.

Relatively basic mask design, but cool nonetheless.
Buffalo's experimental color scheme wasn't bad, it just throws me off because it's not the colors typically associated with the team.

That 3-D Buffalo still looks pretty slick.
His intense stare also makes this a captivating card.

Carolina VS New Jersey...

Joe Nieuwendyk
2002-03 O-Pee Chee #255

With the New Jersey Devils emerging as the victor of a seven-game series with the New York Rangers, the Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2023 NHL Playoffs.

This card from two decades ago features NHL Playoff veteran Joe Nieuwendyk.

Nieuwendyk won the Stanley Cup with THREE different franchises:
-Scored 10 goals in the 1989 Playoffs, winning the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames.
-Scored SIX game winning goals (11 in total) to help the Dallas Stars win it all in 1999.
-Won his third Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 2003.


Also saw action for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2004 Playoffs.
Played 80 regular season games for Florida Panthers.

Joe Nieuwendyk scored 66 goals and 50 assists for 116 points in 158 Playoff games.
Also has 14 game-winning goals in his NHL Playoff career.

Ice & Juice...

Jussi Markkanen
2002-03 Pacific #146

A huge wave of snow spray & ice chips.
Goalie even has to close his eyes to avoid being blinded.

The alternate Edmonton Oilers uniform is different, to say the least.

Stray Cats...

Peter Nedved
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #96

Scanned this one a couple years ago, but somehow it got lost in the shuffle...

Awesome snapshot of a scoring attempt by Peter Nedved, with Roberto Luongo in net for the Florida Panthers.

Sandis Ozolinsh
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #215

Another Florida Panthers goalie - Trevor Kidd makes an appearance on this card.

Love the chaos!
This could be the most action-packed card in the entire set.

Devil May Care...

John Vanbiesbrouck
2002-03 Pacific #231

Another favorite card from 2002-03 Pacific.

Snow spray, bodies flying, and a great view of the goaltender...

Had no idea that John Vanbiesbrouck had played for the New Jersey Devils.

Seems he finished his career in Jersey, playing 9 games (and a relatively impressive 6-3-0 record).

This is from the 2002-03 Pacific set - Beezer's final season was the previous year (2001-02). Seems that they anticipated the goaltender would return. Either way, glad to have this card in my collection.

John Vanbiesbrouk played for the Rangers, Panthers, Flyers, Islanders and Devils. Also managed to keep his number 34 the whole time.

Finished his NHL career with 374 Wins, 346 Losses, 119 Ties/OT losses and 40 shutouts.

Case of Mistaken Identity (Vyacheslav & Viktor Kozlov)

Always thought there was only one Kozlov in the NHL... Vyacheslav Kozlov (aka. Slava Kozlov) won two championships with the Detroit Red Wings. Didn't realize that Viktor Kozlov was quietly putting up points for teams like the Sharks and Panthers...

Vyacheslav Kozlov
2007-08 Upper Deck #423

Vyacheslav Kozlov (Left Wing)
Born: 1972
Drafted: 3rd round 1990 (45th overall)
Playing Career: 1992-2008
Teams: Red Wings, Sabres, Thrashers
Numbers Worn: 13

Scored 853 points in 1182 career games.

Vyacheslav Kozlov
1993-94 Topps Premier #494

Vyacheslav Kozlov was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings in 1997 & 1998. Was also on the receiving end of a devastating Scott Stevens bodycheck, known today as a "predatory hit".

Viktor Kozlov
1995-96 Parkhurst International
Emerald Ice #515

Viktor Kozlov (Center)
Born: 1975
Drafted: 1st round 1993 (6th overall)
Playing Career: 1994-2009
Teams: Sharks, Panthers, Devils, Islanders
Numbers Worn: 47, 25, 22

Scored 573 points in 897 career games.

Viktor Kozlov
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #132

Viktor Kozlov received votes for both Lady Byng and Selke Trophies. Impressive when a player can be considered for both awards.

Simon Says...

Dominik Simon
2019-20 Upper Deck #101

Dominik Simon rockin' the Pittsburgh Penguins Stadium Series jersey...
I figured this guy had to be a relative of former NHLer Chris Simon - Not just because of the last name, but I thought there was a slight resemblance.

Unable to turn up anything to actually link these two players - So I can't say if they're directly related until I can find some information that suggests otherwise.

Chris Simon
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #198

Big, mean Chris Simon was actually the leading scorer on the Washington Capitals for one season.

Bonus point for Islanders goalie cameo. Most probably number 30, Chris Osgood.

Colorado VS St Louis

Milan Hejduk
2002-03 Pacific #91

The Colorado Avalanche and the St Louis Blues 2021 Playoff series is just the second time that these teams have encountered each other in the Playoffs.

The last meeting was during the 2001 Western Conference Final. Colorado won the series in 5 games, but it was still entertaining to watch.

The Avs would of course go on to win the Stanley Cup. Milan Hedjuk had a league-leading 16 assists during the 2001 Playoffs.

Chris Pronger
2000-01 O-Pee-Chee #9

Chris Pronger of the St Louis Blues would come close to winning a Stanley Cup a few times before finally hoisting the prized trophy as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.

Washington VS Boston

Zdeno Chara
2011-12 Score #61

My fascination with this 2021 playoff matchup is Washington's Zdeno Chara facing his former teammates in Boston.

This marks the fourth time that these franchises will meet in the postseason.

In previous meetings, the Bruins emerged as the victors in 1990 (en route to the Finals), with the Caps winning in 1998 (also making it to the Finals). The teams also met in a 2012 playoff matchup won by the Capitals.















A number of trades between these two franchises during the 1990s and early 2000s also managed to catch my attention, for whatever reason...

From nhltradetracker.com:

Steve Leach
1993-94 Pinnacle #73

After 6 seasons in Washington, Steve Leach played 5 seasons in Boston where he would score 159 of his 283 career NHL points.

Al Iafrate
1994-95 Select #80

The acquisiton of Al Iafrate was definitely exciting for Bruins fans...

Unfortunately, the big defenceman with the booming slapshot would only suit up for a dozen games with the Bruins. He missed a couple seasons due to injury, returning to play briefly with the San Jose Sharks.

Joe Juneau
1994-95 Topps/OPC Premier #100

Washington landed Joe Juneau in the Al Iafrate trade. Juneau would spend six seasons in Washington, scoring 234 points in 312 games with the Caps.

(Juneau would also play in Buffalo, Ottawa, and Phoenix before finishing his career in Montreal)

Adam Oates
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #202

After nearly 6 seasons with the Bruins, Adam Oates became a member of the Washington Capitals, and would provide veteran leadership for the Caps during their 1998 appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sergei Gonchar
2002-03 Upper-Deck #175

In a season when the Bruins were already heavy favorites to win The Cup, the 2004 acquisition of Sergei Gonchar and Michael Nylander definitely seemed to improve the Bruins' chances...

However, the Bruins were defeated in the first round in a seven game series against their hated rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.

Morphin' Rangers...

Andy Bathgate
2011-12 O-Pee-Chee #516

Taking a look at cards of the New York Rangers. Some of them are new to my collection, others I've had for a while.

I believe that jersey number 9 is now retired by every single one of the Original Six teams.

The New York Rangers have actually honored two players under that digit:
Andy Bathgate & Adam Graves, both in 2009.

Note the Rangers logo used from 1967-1971.

Pavel Bure
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #16

Before number 9 was retired it was briefly worn by Hall of Famer Pavel Bure, who was with the NYR from 2002-2003.

Bure must have chosen 9, as number 10 was occupied by Sandy McCarthy.


Eric Lindros and Sandy McCarthy are visible on the bench in this snapshot.

Ed Giacomin
1991-92 Ultimate Original Six #20

Another retired NYR number is the oldschool goalie jersey number 1.

Eddie Giacomin was the Rangers goaltender for a decade (1966-1976).

His was the second Ranger number to be retired (after Rod Gilbert's number 7).

Chuck Rayner
2003-04 Parkhurst Original Six New York #87

Jersey number 1 was also worn by Chuck Rayner, the Rangers starting goaltender for 7 seasons (1945-1953). Won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1949-50, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.

Note the even older Rangers logo used from 1936-1947.

Ron Duguay
1982-83 O-Pee-Chee #221

I kinda thought it was only for a short while, but the Rangers had "New York" on their blue road uniforms for almost a decade (1978-1987). Their white home uniforms still had the word "Rangers".

Brian Leetch
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #30

The popular blue Statue of Liberty jerseys were first introduced in 1996. A white version was also briefly worn during 1998-99.

In the 1999-00 O-Pee-Chee set, both Brian Leetch and Peter Nedved are depicted wearing this jersey.

Brian Leetch's number 2 jersey was also retired by the Rangers in 2008.

Serially Challenged...

2002-03 Pacific Complete
Total Cards: 600

Going through my "cards that I only have one-of" pile to find a home for this card (which happens to have a Jeremy Roenick cameo).

Mikael Samuelsson
2002-03 Pacific Complete #377
Red Variation)
(card back)

Figured it was simply a red variation, didn't realize it was also serial numbered. (In the regular 2002-03 Pacific set, it's the blue version that's serial numbered)

And this is from a time before insert sets got out of hand...

Appreciating Victory...

Arturs Irbe
2002-03 Upper Deck Victory #42

Arturs Irbe, coming off a season where he and the Carolina Hurricanes all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals (losing in 5 games to Detroit).

Irbe would retire in 2004, and the Canes would hoist Lord Stanley's Mug in 2006 (backstopped by Cam Ward & Martin Gerber).

Not overly fond of UD Victory, but this card design is alright... It's actually the nicest-looking Victory card I've seen.

Bonus points for the closeup of a recognizable goaltender at the turn of the century.

Colorado vs St Louis (2001 Third Round)

(aka Ray Bourque's Stanley Cup run)

Scott Young
2002-03 Pacific #331

At the time of this classic 2001 Western Conference Final series between the Colorado Avalance and the St Louis Blues, the Blues were enjoying one of the longest active playoff streaks in the NHL (eventually reaching 25 years, until they missed the playoffs in 2005 following lockout year).

In game number 3, It was actually Scott Young (a former member of the Avalanche) that scored the game winning goal in double overtime, blasting the puck past Patrick Roy.

Brent Johnson
2003-04 Upper Deck #415

The highlight of goaltender Brent Johnson's career is undoubtedly punching out fellow goaltender Rick DiPietro... Before that incident, I had actually never even heard of Brent Johnson.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche, rookie Brent Johnson would get the start for game number 5, facing elimination against the Avs, the team that originally drafted him.

Johnson came up with some big saves and caught some lucky bounces, but the Blues ultimately lost in overtime. Even though the series was over in 5 games, the last 3 games were decided in OT.

Brent Johnson actually has a winning NHL career record (140 wins, 112 losses, 31 ties), a .904 save percentage and GAA of 2.63.

NHLers of the Past & Present (Magnus Arvedson & Viktor Arvidsson)

Magnus Arvedson
2002-03 Pacific #261

Magnus Arvedson (Left Wing)
Born: 1971, Sweden
Drafted: 5th round 1997 (119th overall)
NHL Career: 1997-2004
Teams: Senators, Canucks
Numbers Worn: 20, 21

Scored 225 points in 434 career games.

Viktor Arvidsson
2018-19 Upper Deck #357

Viktor Arvidsson (Left Wing)
Born: 1993, Sweden
Drafted: 4th round 2014 (112th overall)
Active NHL Career: 2014-present
Teams: Predators
Numbers Worn: 38, 33

Flashing The Leather (Goalie Glove Saves)

Wendell Young
1993-94 Topps Premier #166

Just felt like scouring my collection for some nice glove saves.
Love this one, done with style.

Frank Pietrangelo
1993-94 Parkhurst #352

Not your ideal glove save, but I'm pretty sure he got it.

Ken Wregget
1995-96 Topps #190

A sweet save by Pens backup goaltender Ken Wregget.

Brian Boucher
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #55

Brian Boucher of the Flyers with a nice underhanded catch.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere
2002-03 Upper Deck #2

Playoff MVP Jean-Sebastien Giguere scoops this one up.

Pekka Rinne
2009-10 SP Authentic #23

Casual no-look grab by Pekka Rinne.

Jon Gibson
2016-17 Upper Deck #1

Pretty sure this one just hit his glove... I don't think he knew where the puck was.

Random Goaltender: Manny Fernandez

Just hearing his name, one could assume that Manny Fernandez belongs on a baseball field, not a hockey rink...

Apparently his uncle is Jacques Lemaire. (according to hockey-reference.com)

For some reason, I think it's kinda neat that the Dallas Stars traded him to Minnesota (where the Stars were previously located).

Manny Fernandez
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #74

Also never realized that he spent the last two seasons of his career with the Boston Bruins. He won the Jennings trophy in 2006-07 with the Wild, and again in 2008-09 with the Bruins.

NHL Record: 143 wins, 123 losses, 15 ties with a 2.50 GAA and .912 save percentage in 325 career games.