WTF Hockey Cards: Pekka Rinne (2017-18 UD #113)

Pekka Rinne
2017-18 Upper Deck #113

At first glance, it just looks like a neat angle of goaltender Pekka Rinne from the netcam with a great wide-angle view of the entire Nashville stadium...

Noticed there's a visible Anaheim player celebrating, with a dejected Nashville Predators defender (P.K. Subban) skating away.

Looks as if the Ducks have just scored a goal, stunning the yellow-clad Nashville fans.

Also of note, visible banners of other NHL teams hanging from the rafters.

John Blue
1993-94 Upper Deck #74

Goalie allowing a goal on his own card reminds me of this one...

Looks like the puck is past Bruins goaltender John Blue.

With the angle and trajectory of the puck, I'm saying there's no way this didn't cross the goal line.

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.

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.

John Vanbiesbrouk Cameos...

Brian Bellows
1993-94 Leaf #76

A couple cards showing a New York Rangers goaltender that I simply couldn't place...

Overall, a good looking card that just happens to be an Original Six matchup.

Appears to be a NYR mask briefly worn by John Vanbiesbrouk.

This one features the "cat's eye" cage. Vanbiesbrouk is better known for the square cage, but did wear the cat eye cage with a regular helmet earlier in his career.

John Vanbiesbrouk
1991-92 Upper Deck #324

Just a look at John Vanbiesbrouk's helmet / cage combo.

Always liked this card. Looks as if he's bracing for impact, or clearing his crease...

Either way, it's Claude Lemieux - In that case, hit him again!

Alexei Kovalev
1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #187

In the background and slightly out of focus, we can see the typical square cage associated with John Vanbiesbrouk.

Three Rangers in this snapshot, looking as if they're preparing for a defensive zone faceoff. (Guessing the other guy is Adam Graves?)

Was surprised that no major card sets feature Vanbiesbrouk actually wearing this mask on his own card.

John Vanbiesbrouk
1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #314

In addition to the 1993-94 Premier cameo, Vanbiesbrouk also appears in Series 2 as a member of the Florida Panthers.

Reese Pieces...

Jeff Reese
1991-92 Parkhurst #250

Finally, just to satisfy my curiosity of how goaltender Jeff Reese arrived in Hartford...

Figured he was involved in the "big trade" (six man deal) between the Hartford Whalers and Calgary Flames (March 1994), but it was actually separate trade that occurred between the two teams four months earlier (November 1993).





















From nhltradetracker.com:

Jeff Reese
1994-95 Topps Premier #27

In exchange for Jeff Reese, Hartford sent defenceman Dan Keczmer to Calgary.

Had never even heard of Dan Keczmer... Was also unable to find out exactly what "future considerations" may have been exercised.

Still figuring that Hartford got the best end of the deal.

















My favorite Jeff Reese stat:

"Jeff Reese holds an NHL record he set while with the Flames...
...he’s known for his offense during a Flames 13-1 victory (over the Sharks on February 10, 1993). He would dish out three assists in that game setting an NHL record for assists in a game by a goalie."

-https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/2020/12/9/22151097/calgary-flames-jeff-reese-goaltender-best-number-35-nhl-hockey

Flames forward Theoren Fleury also set a league record by going +9 in this game.

Hawks & Whalers Trade of '93 (Weinrich, Larmer)

Eric Weinrich
1993-94 Leaf #271

Researching the trades between the Chicago Blackhawks and Hartford Whalers in 1994 caused me to take a look at a Hawks-Whalers trade from the previous season (1992-1993).

Steve Larmer
1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #240

One of my favorite cards from this set.
An incredible snapshot with six bodies in front of the Tampa Bay net on Steve Larmer's card... As a bonus, the Stanley Cup Centennial logo is on the boards, just above the focal point.

From nhltradetracker.com:

Eric Weinrich
1995-96 Upper Deck #45

Partial trade history for Eric Weinrich, with a good handful of familiar '90s characters involved in the deals.

Explains how the Whalers got goaltender Sean Burke, and how they obtained Steve Larmer and Bryan Marchment.

Steve Larmer
1994-95 Flair #113

This deal also has a case of a player who got traded, without playing a single game for the Whalers before being traded again.

Steve Larmer was immediately dealt to the New York Rangers, where coach Mike Keenan was collecting pieces of the eventual 1994 champion Rangers. (Steve Larmer had been a member of the Chicago Blackhawks coached by Mike Keenan)

Whalers & Flames Trade of '94 (Gary Suter Becomes a Hawk)

Gary Suter
1993-94 Pinnacle #14

Always interested to find out how players arrived at certain teams...

Gary Suter was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Hartford Whalers as part of a six-man deal in 1994.

Suter never actually played a single game for the Whalers, as he was sent to Chicago the very next day.



















From nhltradetracker.com:

Jocelyn Lemieux
1994-95 Premier #122

The Hartford Whalers traded Gary Suter (along with Randy Cunneyworth) to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jocelyn Lemieux (and Frantisek Kucera).

Gary Suter
1995-96 Upper Deck #284

My favorite Gary Suter stat:

"Gary Suter became the first Chicago defenseman to register a hat trick in a playoff game on April 24 1994"

-https://blackhawkup.com/2014/06/26/throwback-thursday-gary-suter-2/


Defenceman Gary Suter also holds the NHL record for most assists in a single game by a rookie with 6 assists in a 9-3 Calgary Flames victory over the Edmonton Oilers (Apr. 4, 1986). He was also the NHL rookie of the year in 1986.


This particular card has a Brett Hull cameo on the front, Chris Chelios on the back.

NHLers of the Past & Present (Evgeny Davydov & Evgenii Dadonov)

Evgeny Davydov
1993-94 Topps Premier #444

Evgeny Davydov (Left Wing)
Born: 1967, USSR
Drafted:  12th round 1989 (235th overall)
NHL Career: 1992-1995
Teams: Jets, Panthers, Senators
Numbers Worn: 40,11,13

Scored 79 points in 155 career games.

Evgenii Dadonov
2019-20 Upper Deck #295

Evgenii Dadonov (Right Wing)
Born: 1989, USSR
Drafted: 3rd round 2007 (71st overall)
Active NHL Career: 2010-present
Teams: Panthers, Senators
Numbers Worn: 63

Striking Gold...

Shawn Antoski
1993-94 Topps Premier #31
(Gold Variation)

Always liked the facial expression here as the player gets crosschecked in the back of the ribs (by Daryl Sydor, I believe).

Now I have the gold version!

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.

Dallas Stars Goalies

Jon Casey
1990-91 Topps #269

Felt like putting together a short list of goalies who have played the most number of games for the Dallas Stars franchise.

Had a chance to get Don Beaupre in a Stars uniform... It was one of about five cards that I actually wanted in the lot. Should have tried to work something out.

Jon Casey was in the Minnesota net for the late 1980s and early 1990s, before being traded to Boston.

Andy Moog / Darcy Wakaluk
1994-95 Topps Premier #81

Even more interesting that most of them wore different numbers (with the exception of Moog and Turco both wearing 35).

I seem to remember Darcy Wakaluk as number 34, but apparently he also wore 35 for a couple seasons.

Ed Belfour
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #245

The Stars has a competitive team all through the 1990s, but in 1999 they were backstopped by Ed Belfour and won the Stanley Cup.

Marty Turco
2007-08 SPX #7

The Stars are relatively consistent as far as netminders go, often having a main goalie for several seasons.

I used to watch Marty Turco get shelled on the sports highlights... In the 2007 playoffs, he got 3 shutouts as the Stars lost a 7 game series. The team in front of him couldn't manage to score more than 1.3 goals per game to help him out.

Kari Lehtonen
2010-11 Upper Deck Black Diamond #44

Kari Lehtonen is well known for his awesome masks, just glad that I had a card from before the Stars changed their logo and colors...

Inserted Wings...

Ray Sheppard
1994-95 Topps Premier Finest #6

Find an occasional Insert Card inside random re-packs...
Including a pair of Detroit Red Wings, both from 1994-95.

The first one is Ray Sheppard, from 1994-95 Topps Premier Finest. Card number 6 of 23.

Dino Ciccarelli
1994-95 Parkie Gold #65

This one's from 1994-95 Parkhurst. One of the gold "Parkie" parallels.

Dino Ciccarelli in his favorite spot - Camped out in front of the opposing team's net.

Moog Mask...

Andy Moog
1993-94 Topps Premier #476

Andy Moog's Boston Bruins mask with the crazed bear showing its' teeth brings back more 1990s nostalgia...

Traded to the Dallas Stars, seems he actually kept the bear design for a brief while, after having the colors on the bear modified to green and gold.

He still had the bear design during the 1994 playoffs. (Along with his bright yellow blocker & trapper)

Andy Moog
1995-96 Collector's Choice #62

Shortly thereafter, Andy Moog must have switched to a Dallas Stars themed mask, because most cards seem to depict him with this mask.

Andy Moog
1995-96 Collector's Choice #62
(card back)

Back of the card offers a good snapshot of the netminder in action.

This is actually a great card... In addition to the awesome photo, we get an entire career of stats, pertinent vitals, and a simple, legible card number in the top left corner, where it belongs.

Only thing missing is a bio. Can't have everything though.

Cool Card - Traffic (Alexei Zhamnov - 1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #420)

Alexei Zhamnov
1993-94 Topps/OPC Premier #420

Card of the Day
(From the High Number Series)

Another random pick. Alexei Zhamnov (of the old Winnipeg Jets) tries to stick-handle his way through a pair of opposing players. Jarri Kurri of the LA Kings also makes a cameo.