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| Curtis Joseph 2002-03 Upper Deck #64 |
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| Brett Hull 1991-92 Upper Deck Brett Hull's Hockey Heroes 9 of 9 (Checklist) |
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| Calvin Pickard 2013-14 Panini Prizm #224 |
With a midwinter dumping of fresh powder, it seems like an ideal time to bring out another Avalanche goaltender card.
Shown here with his first NHL team (Colorado), Pickard has also played for Toronto, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Detroit.
Currently backstopping the Edmonton Oilers, the goalie will surely be jinxed with a mention that he's currently one of the hottest goalies in the league in terms of wins.
Hasn't lost a game in 2025, and has managed 11 wins in his last 12 games.
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| Mark Messier 2002-03 Pacific #256 |
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| Vincent Damphousse 2002-03 Pacific #332 |
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| Shayne Corson (with Jeremy Roenick cameo) 2002-03 Pacific #358 |
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| Jaromir Jagr 2002-03 Pacific #392 |
More memorabilia that hasn't seen the light of day in years.
I like it when a photo comes complete with a caption.
"Toronto's goaltender Terry Sawchuk and Red Kelly (#4) face Detroit, the team with which both previously starred. Battling for puck control behind the Maple Leafs' net is Red Wings captain Alex Delvecchio, while Dean Prentice (#20) straining to get at the loose puck."
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| 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.
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| 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."
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| 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.
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| Ondrej Pavelec 2015-16 Upper Deck #196 |
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| Dustin Penner 2007-08 Upper Deck #74 |
Browsing 2007-08 Upper Deck, looking at dealt players who are pictured with their new teams in Series 2.
(I believe that Dustin Penner is the only one to have a card in both Series 1 and Series 2)
Immediately thinking of the infamous Dustin Penner "offer sheet"...
Dustin Penner abandons the Anaheim Ducks when the Edmonton Oilers offer to grease his wheels with a big stack of cash.
Pretty sure Brain Burke would have a few additional comments regarding this deal (as former GM of the Anaheim Ducks).
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| Dustin Penner 2007-08 Upper Deck #314 |
Don't blame another team for tempting your player with more money - Blame your own player for taking the offer.
Seems all the bikini-clad beach vixens in Southern California just can't compete for all that cold, hard cash in icy Edmonton.
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| Michael Handzus 2007-08 Upper Deck #341 |
Michael Handzus left the Philidelphia Flyers to join the Los Angeles Kings.
(Hadn't heard about this deal, but hockey is pretty irrelevant in California)
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| Bill Guerin 2007-08 Upper Deck #371 |
Now a grizzled veteran, seems Bill Guerin was named Captain of the New York Islanders immediately after stepping off the plane.
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| Kevin Weekes 2007-08 Upper Deck #355 |
Is that a vicious cat on the mask?
Never knew that Kevin Weekes wore 40.
Always associated him with number 80.
Very curious.
Possibly during an exhibition game.
Also speculating that the NDJ organization tried to roll with low numbers.
Have heard that around the millennium, some clubs have attempted to keep player egoes in check by not allowing any player to wear a jersey higher than 40 - With no exceptions, even for a goaltender. Not sure if that's the case here, but interesting nonetheless....
Weekes would ultimately wear the classic goalie jersey number 1 with the Devils (which is why I speculate this may be from an exhibition game).
As for the high numbers, seems a few exceptions were made for Stephane Richer (44) and Doug Gilmour (93)
(Also curiously, players Rocky Trottier and Garry Howatt also briefly wore 88 in 1983 & 1984, respectively)
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| Now THIS is Ice Hockey... |
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| (Conversely, this is NOT Podracing) |
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| Cam Neely 1991-92 Pro Set #5 |
The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs seldom played each other until the Conferences were re-aligned in 1998.
Digging through my collection to locate the oldest card featuring Boston and Toronto and came up with this one. Cam Neely 'accidentally' jabs a guy in the face - And you can definitely see his displeasure.
Funds forked over to Gary Bettman and the NHLPA in 2025: $0
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| Mike Smith 2007-08 Upper Deck #84 |
Back at the Editor's desk... What a mess.
(I'd fire that secretary if she didn't look so good in a skirt)
So many cards - Many of which are scanned but not uploaded.
Other blog posts (aka rants) have been written with cards not scanned.
The focus is still mostly geared towards goaltender cards - Even spectacular shots of the lesser-knowns are treasures within the collection.
Other obsessions still include records, The Original Six, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and other weird random things captured on a card - Even if something exists in the background and has nothing to do with the play...
First order of business is Freaky Mask Friday - Looks like a wild western theme on the mask of Mike Smith.
Of MANY teams he's played with (actually just five?) - From his very first NHL team, the Dallas Stars.
