Another NDJ Goaltender...

Cory Schneider
2014-15 Upper Deck Trilogy #64

2014-15 Upper Deck Trilogy
[Total Cards: 200]

This is the only card from 2014-15 Upper Deck Trilogy in my collection. Since I've always been a fan of goalie cards, this one has been on top of my oddball pile for a while now.

In the 2014-15 season Cory Schneider became the main man in the Devils net with the departure of Martin Brodeur.

Definitely considering putting together a "Goalie Binder" for my assortment of nomadic masked warriors.

NJD Goalie Cameo

Martin Lapointe
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #219
(featuring Scott Clemmensen, NJ Devils number 40)

This card caught my eye...

(possibly because it was the only card from 2002-03 O-Pee-Chee found within a $7 shopping spree on repacked packs)

But the main reason is that it's unusual to see a New Jersey Devils goaltender from this era that isn't Martin Brodeur... Pictured is number 40 Scott Clemmensen. Remarkable that he shows up in this photograph, as he appeared in just 2 games during the 2001-02 season, playing a total of 20 minutes.

Scott Clemmensen had three different stints with the team, bouncing between Toronto and Florida. (His longest stint with the NJD was the 2008-09 season in which he played 40 games for the team)

Actually missing a single card from this 2002-03 OPC set. It would be amazing if I happen to find Tom Barasso's card #66 in one of these re-packs...

Random Repacks [Goalie Edition]

Andre Vasilevskiy
2016-17 Upper Deck #417

Several players in the NHL currently wear number 88... One of them is Tampa Bay's netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has led league goaltenders in wins for the past two years. (receiving the Vezina Trophy in 2018-19).

2016-17 Upper Deck is one of the sets that I hope to eventually finish... Even though I only have a few dozen cards from the set, always happy to pick up a few more.

Ron Tugnutt
1993-94 Upper Deck #426

I'd definitely consider Ron Tugnutt to be a journeyman goaltender... Defended the net for eight different franchises in his 16 year NHL career. (Nordiques, Oilers, Ducks, Canadiens, Penguins, Senators, Blue Jackets, and Stars)


Still missing quite a few from 1993-94 Upper Deck Series II of this set, so I'll gladly take this one.

Jeff Hacket
1992-93 Pinnacle #105

In 1992, I was absolutely mesmerized by the whole Sharks theme and unique aqua/teal/turquoise color scheme... Pure marketing genius.

Did not have this card as a kid, so I'll gladly add it to my collection.

Random Repacks...

Brayden Schenn
2018-19 SP Authentic #53

It's always fun to flip through some "new" cards, so I picked up a few of the re-packed variety. Going into it, I knew I'd find plenty of Score, Pro Set and Bowman...




















So else what did the hockey gods have in store? An assortment of old & new, from a dozen different sets.
Obviously, most are from the 90s... A good handful from the last 5 years, plus a random scattering from the turn of the century.

Kyle Turris
2019-20 Upper Deck Artifacts #47

I guess one good thing about so many brands, is that there's always going to be something I've never seen before.


Was surprised to find a lone card from 2019-20 Upper Deck Artifacts within the repacks, especially considering that the set was released not even 5 months ago...

Kris Letang
2017-18 Upper Deck #393

Also found a few from 2017-18 & 2018-19 Upper Deck. Just guessing that this shot of Kris Letang took place during a home game in Pittsburgh to honor the 2017 Stanley Cup Champs.

Cool Cards: Jake Guentzel

Jake Guentzel
2019-20 Upper Deck MVP #66
(Silver Script)

Considering that Jake Guentzel is coming off a 40 goal season, getting his Silver Script variation from my last box of 2019-20 Upper Deck MVP was a decent find.

There's even a legible number 59 beside his signature.

While it's neat to have a parallel, as I'd almost rather have pulled the regular version towards completing the base set.

Jake Guentzel
2018-19 OPC Coast to Coast #25

On my travels, also happened to pick up a lone O-Pee-Chee card.

Jake Guentzel scored 13 goals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including 5 game-winning goals.

It's a pretty impressive stat. (Other players to score 5 winners in a playoff run include the likes of Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Jari Kurri.)

Cool Cards: 1995-96 Collector's Choice (Keith Tkachuk & Brett Hull)

Among the Blues alumni making a cameos at the 2019-20 NHL All Star Game in St. Louis were Keith Tkachuk and Brett Hull.

The 1995-96 Collector's Choice set has a few cards entitled "What's your game". These cards highlight a few different playing styles....

A couple of my favorites:

Keith Tkachuk
1995-96 Collector's Choice #356

"The power forward uses intimidating physical play to make defensemen cough up the puck on dump-ins into the corners.

Sound body checks in the trenches translate into bad passs by defenders, possible turnovers and offensive zone face-offs."

(The Calgary Flames' goaltender pictured is Andrei Trefilov. The photo is likely from 94-95, when Trefilov appeared in 6 games for the Flames)

Brett Hull
1995-96 Collector's Choice #364

"The scorer is capable of freezing goaltenders with a shot fake, and then popping it up top in the blink of an eye.

Roaming in the slot area, he utilizes his 'natural scorer' sense to anticipate where the next loose puck will appear.

Scorers have another advantage. Goalies know who they are, and respect can breed fear."

Hull was the leading goal scorer in the 2000 & 2002 playoffs. (also led the league in playoff shots on goal during 1999 & 2000)

2016-17 Upper Deck & MVP (Henrik Zetterberg)

Henrik Zetterberg
2016-17 Upper Deck #67

Picked up a handful of Zetterberg cards for practically nothing.

It was actually these two that caught my eye...

In addition to a great action snapshot, the blue-colored glass in the background really compliments the design of the card.

Henrik Zetterberg also holds the league record for shots on goal in a playoff season (116 shots on goal during the 2008 playoffs)

Henrik Zetterberg
2016-17 Upper Deck MVP #213(Silver Script)

Since I only have a few cards from 2016-17 Upper Deck MVP, I didn't even notice that this one was a Silver Script (aka grey) parallel card until I got it home...

(2017-18 MVP saw the debut of what looks like a band of "black spray paint" on the Silver Script parallels)

1995-95 Collector's Choice #227 (Mikhail Shtalenkov)

Mikhail Shtalenkov
1995-95 Collector's Choice #227

Taking a look through 1995-96 Collector's Choice, and stumbled upon a goalie that I'd never even heard of...

Appeared in 122 games for the (Mighty) Ducks. He ranks 6th for wins and number of games played in Anaheim franchise history.

Played from 1994-2000.
(Anaheim, Edmonton, Phoenix and Florida)

190 career games (62 wins, 82 losses, 8 shutouts and a respectable 2.89 GAA)

Mike Modano
1995-95 Collector's Choice #238

Flip two pages in the 1995-96 Collector's Choice album, and Shtalenkov makes a cameo on Mike Modano's card.

Looks like he's also got the stick out, possibly in a poke-check attempt.

2015-16 Upper Deck Portraits

A random mixed binder yielded a couple random insert cards: 2015-16 Upper Deck Portraits...
[Total Cards in Subset: 110]

Phil Esposito
2015-16 Upper Deck Portraits #P-51

The first one is Phil Esposito. He still holds the record for shots on goal with 550 shots in a single season (1970-71).

One of my favorite hockey quotes comes from Espo:

“It’s not how hard you shoot, how accurate you shoot, but how quick you get the shot off.”
-Phil Esposito

Other Legends included within this set: Lafleur, Gretzky, Brodeur, Lemieux and Bobby Hull.

Sam Brittain
2015-16 Upper Deck Portraits #P-108

Sam Brittain, drafted by the Florida Panthers (4th round of the 2010 draft) has yet to see any NHL regular season action. Still, I'm always a fan of cards featuring a closeup of a goalie mask.

In today's game, even the prospects don a fully painted team mask...

National Bubble Gum Day

Joel Otto
1990-91 Upper Deck #141

Once upon a time, hockey cards were used as an incentive to get kids to buy gum...

(They've since turned a child's hobby into a multi-million dollar business...)

Going full circle, a few cards depicting players chewing bubble gum:

Jamie Leach
1991-92 Upper Deck #447

Thomas Forslund
1992-93 Upper Deck #429

Shayne Corson
1991-92 O-Pee-Chee #157

Ian Laperriere
2003-04 Upper Deck #89