Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Party Like It's (NHL) '96.

All The Craze...

Anyone who still has a calendar from 1996 can re-use it in 2024.
The dates align perfectly to include the leap year, and idiots are paying ridiculous dollars for one of these.



Because I'm a total cheapskate, I've been keeping a stack of old calendars in rotation for years.
Even surprised myself that I could dust one off from 1996.

This calendar of NHL Superstars includes birthdays of players (from that time period).




Also quickly became a fan of the "16 Month" Calendar".


Basically, four months (and four mini-posters) crammed onto one page.
Still, I appreciate this relatively useless feature.



The Eagle and J.R.





Let Me Check My Calendar...

Another beautiful example of a "16 month" calendar (where the first four months are like, so last year!).

Lorena Duran

A 2021 calendar (which in this case shows the last 4 months of 2020) can be re-used again in 2027.

Only recently discovered voluptuous vixen Lorena Duran.
Born October 23, 1993 in Seville, Spain.
(This makes her a Scorpio - Er, una Escorpión)

Most people will be mesmerized by her ridiculous curves - Although it's not the greatest picture of her.
(She's actually very attractive)

Must have been a long, draining photo shoot day at the beach because she looks kinda worn out here.
(Not that 96% of human males would notice)

The photo bottom-left offers a better look at how photogenic she really is.




Suddenly motivated to comb through my collection to locate the image that first captivated my - attention.

From her photo shoot at Montegro, which is "filled with breathtaking scenery":
 

Lorena Duran
by James Macari in Montenegro.
Swimsuit by Norma Kamali.
https://swimsuit.si.com/


Apparently she's "first curvy model to be used in a Victoria's Secret campaign"
(What the hell took them so long?)

Her body is beyond intriguing (and begs to be explored).
From some angles she looks voluptuous.
In another pose she manages to appear relatively petite.


Lorena Duran
by James Macari in Montenegro.
Swimsuit by netta.
Earrings by SOKO.
https://swimsuit.si.com/

(Didn't even notice she was wearing earrings...)





Making her Sports Illusrtated debut:

Lorena Duran
by Josie Clough in Scrub Island, BVI
Swimsuit by ASARA SWIM."
https://swimsuit.si.com/


Her Swimsuit "Rookie Card"?

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd grade this one in Mint Condition.




Reduce, Re-use, Re-Cycle.


All the ladies in this 2021 calendar can be pinned back up to the wall in 2027.

Meanwhile, A 1996/2024 calendar can be salvaged again in March of 2026.
Although the entire 12 months will not align correctly again until 2052.

Of course, this in no way implies that one shouldn't support the economy by purchasing new calendars.
(As if I'm ever going to acquire too many pretty pictures to look at)




Sunday, July 30, 2023

The Bear-Shark Project...

Joe Thornton
2010-11 SP Authentic #34

After Joe Thornton departed from San Jose, I decided to take a look at other Sharks players who wore jersey number 19.

Joe Thornton facts from Wikipedia:

San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in points per game with 1.01.

Only player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy while switching teams in his winning campaign – 2005–06.

















Marco Sturm
2003-04 Upper Deck #158

Being a relatively new franchise, San Jose only a few players don the number 19 jersey before Thornton arrived.

Coincidentally, Marco Sturm was one of the players traded to Boston for Joe Thornton).



San Jose Sharks players to wear number 19 before Joe Thornton:
Marco Sturm (1998-2006)
Jeff Friesen (1996)
Doug Zmolek (1993-1994)
Brian Mullen (1992)













Brian Mullen
1992-93 O-Pee-Chee #260
Brian Mullen was one of the first San Jose Sharks to wear number 19.

From the back of the card:
"In November he [Brian Mullen] scored a wrap-around in overtime to clinch the Sharks' first-ever win over LA"























Joe Thornton
2005-06 Upper Deck MVP #28

Joe Thornton with the Boston Bruins, during the pre-beard era.
(I swear that he and Brent Burns must have had a contest going)
























Mariusz Czerkawski
1995-96 Collector's Choice #50
(Player's Club Parallel)

Some of the Boston Bruins players to wear number 19 before Joe Thornton:
Rob DiMaio (1997-2000)
Kevin Sawyer (1996)
Mariusz Czerkawski (1994-1996)
Dave Poulin (1990-1993)
Ray Neufeld (1989-1990)
Tom McCarthy (1987-1988)
Normand Leveille (1982-83)
Bobby Lalonde (1980-81)
Ab DeMarco (1979)
















Joe Thornton
1999-00 Stadium Club #75

Curiously enough, Joe Thornton actually wore number 6 at the very beginning of his career.

Being an older franchise, numbers 2 thru 9 had already been retired by the Boston Bruins - with the exception of jersey number 6.

A relatively low number for a centreman, Thornton wore 6 from 1998 - 2000.

Number 19 became available in Boston when Rob Dimaio was traded to the NY Rangers.
Joe Thornton wore number 19 with Boston from 2000-2006.
















Dick Redmond
1981-82 O-Pee-Chee #9

Some of the Boston Bruins Players to Wear Number 6 Before Joe Thornton:
Alexei Kasatonov (1995-1996)
Glen Featherstone (1992-1994)
Gord Kluzak (1983-1991)
Dick Redmond (1978-82)
Mike Forbes (1978)
Dennis O'Brien (1978)
Clayton Pachal (1977)
Darryl Edestrand (1974-1978)
Nick Beverley (1973-74)
Ted Green (1961-1972)




Saturday, July 29, 2023

SHARK WEEK: (Day 9) Shark Finn!

Antti Niemi
2014-15 Upper Deck #405
Couldn't believe this guys spent 5 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, earning 25 shutouts in 296 games.

He even led the league with 24 wins in the shortened 2012-13 season. (Also logged more minutes than any other netminder that year)

Just a great composition with the goaltender reacting to something.
He's in position, but appears to be attempting to field an unexpected high shot.

No puck visible, but the fans seem to be having a good time.
Is someone about to spill their popcorn?

Friday, July 28, 2023

SHARK WEEK (Day 8): Fish Heads, Fish Heads...

Evgeni Nabokov
2003-04 Upper Deck #163
It's the Shark Week Edition of Freaky Mask Friday!

Evgeni Nabokov 's Shark mask features what appears to be a skeleton feeding (or baiting) a Shark with fish heads.



























Evgeni Nabokov
2003-04 Topps #168

Another card from the same year.
The teal-colored border really goes well with the Shark's uniforms.

























Evgeni Nabokov
2004-05 Upper Deck Artifacts #83
2005-06 Upper Deck Artifacts
Total Cards: 242
(100 base cards, the rest are serial numbered, with rookies distributed through redemption exchange)

Only have six cards from this set - And FOUR of them are goaltenders!

Back of the card makes mention of his shutouts in previous seasons...
Nabokov managed an incredible 9 shutouts in 2003-04.










Thursday, July 27, 2023

SHARK WEEK: Numbers Game...

Tom Pederson
1993-94 Upper Deck #92
Ever fascinated with the "high numbers" throughout the Sharks' roster - Especially during the early years.

Sorting my duplicates pile and netted number 41.

SHARK WEEK (Day 7): Hungy For Action...

Paul Martin
2017-18 Upper Deck #157
My favorite part of this card is the women in the San Jose crowd reacting to the hit...

One girl cringes at the bone-crushing bodycheck, while the other girl laughs and cheers.

The Edmonton Oilers fan in the next row appears to be a big fan of french fries...

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

SHARK WEEK (Day 6): High Society...

Steve Bernier
2005-06 In the Game
Heroes & Prospects #265
Lurking Outside the Net...

The first post here during Shark Week that doesn't feature a goaltender...

It caught my eye because it appears to be a shark with a monacle.

From Wikipedia:
" The Cleveland Barons were a professional American ice hockey team in the AHL. They played in Cleveland, Ohio between 2001 and 2006.

Named in honor of the popular Barons team that played in the AHL and its forerunners from 1929 to 1973 and the NHL team of the same name.

The Barons name was revived in 2001 when the San Jose Sharks purchased their AHL affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades, and relocated them to Cleveland, where they would play at the arena which was owned and operated by Sharks owners George and Gordon Gund. The Gunds had also owned the NHL Barons, who played in the NHL in the late 1970s before being merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978.

The franchise relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts, for the 2006–07 season and became the Worcester Sharks."


Tuesday, July 25, 2023

SHARK WEEK (Day 5): Jaws of Life...

Jimmy Waite
1994-95 Parkhurst #214
Catch of the day is a Great White Shark on the mask of Jimmy Waite.


Monday, July 24, 2023

SHARK WEEK (Day 4): Goal Mouth Frenzy...

Martin Jones
2016-17 Upper Deck #153
Martin Jones playing for the San Jose Sharks, sporting the 25th anniversary patch on his jersey.

Remarkably, the girls in the crowd don't even have their faces buried in their phones!

Those jaws are open wide enough to swallow a hot dog...

Sunday, July 23, 2023

SHARK WEEK (Day 3): Baracudda...?

Steve Shields
1999-00 Topps Stadium Club #137

Gotta love the big shark on Steve Shields' mask.

Also an exciting snapshot of the goaltender leaving the net to play the puck.



















Steve Shields
1999-00 Topps Stadium Club #137
(card back)

Back of the card offers a much better view of the Shark...

Just noticing that it's not actually the Sharks' jersey he's wearing here - Possibly a minor league affiliate like the Barracudas...