Mojo Sick Patch..For Half The Price Of The Pack It Came From

As a collector who got back into collecting during the '07 season much had happened in the collecting world between '95 and '07. Game used cards are one of those things and particularly patch cards. I loved the idea when I learned about them and as time has gone by I still like them but I am not as amazed as I once was. However, sometimes you come across a piece that is just too awesome to pass up regardless of how many game used cards you have. 

09-10 SP Game Used Dual Patch Nash and Voracek /25

Both of these guys are players I like and both are long gone from Columbus. Funny to imagine after they leave Columbus nearly makes the playoffs meanwhile Voracek had a himself a career year in Philly and Nash is still in the playoffs with the Rangers. I do really like and collect Voracek to some degree so that was an added bonus but the main reason for this card are the swatches. The bottom patch is amazing with a concave blue piece sandwiched between an awesome silver and red piece. The top swatch looks like it could have been from a name or number as well. This was another steal from the LCS this past fall, keep up the great work boys!

Loonies and Toonies Well Spent....According to me of course.

I raided my LCS's Dollar and Toonie bin again and found one or two cheapies online too. Here are the results, money well spent I think, tell me what you think.

10-11 UD Series 1 Young Guns Checklist

 These three are certainly off to great careers! Cost 2 bucks.

12-13 UD Artifacts Cody Eakin Team Canada /999

 Here is one for the PC. Cost a dollar.

07-08 Fleer Ultra Jaroslav Halak Rookie

 Halak attack! Took me 2 dollars to take him home.

96-97 BAP Pinnacle Jim McKenzie Auto

 Tough guy and tough auto! A former Devil for 196 games, won a Cup with us in 2003. A dollar? Yes please!

11-12 UD Mika Zibanejad

 Every time I say his name I think I am saying it wrong....He has loads of potential and is having a solid post-season! 2 Dollars...

10-11 SPX Jake Muzzin Rookie

 At the midpoint of the season some had him as a dark horse for the Calder. He isn't a finalist but he still might win something yet with the Kings. This was a dollar.

11-12 Limited David Rundblad Rookie Phenoms /299

 Another D-man prospect. This one had a tough season in the NHL and spent most in the AHL. I believe he will be a regular someday, 2 bucks on that bet.

02-03 Crown Royale Purple Patrick Sharp Rookie Parallel /799

 Patrick has been good the Chicago and Chicago has been good to Patrick. 2 dollars here.

05-06 UD MVP Zach Parise Rookie

Zach, I am no longer bitter about you moving. Here is the proof. I bought another one of your rookies...True it was only 2 dollars but remember...baby steps.

Thanks for reading, more coming soon!

11-12 UD Tin Break

Just before Christmas, I was shopping for others and buying for myself which included an 11-12 UD tin. Each tin had 12 packs so 3 Young Guns were possible along other wonderful inserts. Truth be told, I am starting to hate all the inserts like EA Sports Dream Team or Ambassadors or whatever they are throwing in these days. I do like the Canvas parallels but apart from that unless it is signed or game-used, I just have no interest in plain insert cards. So, here are the hits straight up...

11-12 UD Sean Couturier Young Gun

Sean Couturier was the biggest hit of the box. Sean was the 8th overall pick in 2011 and as been in the NHL since day 1. He has yet to find his offensive stride but as long as Philly is patient with this kid I think they will have a winner on their hands soon.

11-12 UD Teemu Hartikainen Young Gun

Wow an Oiler.....hard to believe I am disappointed getting an Oiler Young Gun but I am. Teemu will unfortunately be making another appearance on here in the near future.

11-12 UD Erik Gudbranson Young Gun

Chris Pronger without the offensive skill? A much more offensive Brad Marsh? Yep that is Erik Gudbranson, he is stay at home perfection. A player you would want on your team hands down but not want to ever pull from a pack of cards....ok maybe not that bad, I am actually happy pulling this as he is a former Canadian World Junior and I respect a good stay at home man.

11-12 UD Game Jersey Tuukka Rask

So despite Toronto giving up on him and sending him to Boston for Andrew Raycroft, Rask didn't exactly get revenge in this past round of the playoffs. Boston did win, but Rask was pretty shaky and unless Boston starts to tighten up defensively I suspect Rask and the boys will be out on the course before long.

Well there you have it, a tin which was the equivalent of half a retail box. I did reasonably well for 25 dollars which was the sale price down from 40. I also have a load of base cards which means I likely buy a hobby box some day and chase the base set of Series 1. Also in the box was an oversized Winter Classic card but I assure you, you aren't interested in seeing that :)

El Nino - 10-11 Score Nino Niederreiter Auto Rookie

When it comes to 2010-11 Rookie and Traded I am cursed. Out of my second box, I got more damaged autos of decent players. This time it is Nino Niederreiter and with serious corner ding. I can live with the card because it is an SP'ed auto, but it has ZERO trade value because of the damage.

The Final Two HOF Autos

Little talk, just show here. My last two autos are ones I have had for over 20 years, but they are new because of what you are going to see. Brett from My Hockey Card Obsession took these two autos:

Then with his amazing talent turned them into these:

A shortage in disk storage space on my scanning computer resulted in a botched scan so I am using the pics that Brett shared on twitter a little while back. These cards are amazing in person and it is truly a skill to take an auto on a piece of paper and turn it into a piece of art. Thank you very much Brett I really really appreciate it. The Howe is my favourite HOF auto addition in the past year and I look forward to sharing more pick ups in the near future!

Btw if case you are curious, I got the Gordie Howe auto the same night I got this Gordie Howe auto.

With the Devils out, who do I cheer for? Western Conference Version

Let's continue:

Chicago Blackhawks
Why cheer for the Hawks
They have always been my Original 6 team and I have liked them ever since I laid eyes on Ed Belfour. They have a captain that everyone can respect and they play a pretty solid game all round. True Pat Kane has been a putz off the ice in the past and Duncan Keith is slowly earning himself a dirty reputation, it is had to not like Corey Crawford, and many of the other young kids on this team.

Why cheer against the Hawks
They are the favourites.

Anaheim Ducks
Why cheer for the Ducks
Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. These two Finns have had great careers and maybe that Cup win will give them a boost to jump to retirement. They have exceeded expectations all season and Bruce Boudreau winning a Cup here would be a great story to his rebound in Anaheim. Scott Niedermayer is an assistant coach with the Ducks and I still support him in what he does.

Why cheer against the Ducks
Can't say I have ever loved the franchise, but I really despise Devante Smith-Kelly ever since he got caught cheating on his card signature. (not a real reason, but the best I can come up with)

Vancouver Canucks
Why cheer for the Canucks
David Booth.

Why cheer against the Canucks
David Booth isn't playing due to injury. In all fairness, I don't have much against the Canucks and I am actually pretty indifferent.

St. Louis Blues
Why cheer for the Blues
They are a good balance of old and young with loads of natural talent. They have Thunder Bay boy Chorney and they really win games as a team. Shattenkirk and Backes are both kids I really like and Jake Allen stopping them to a Cup win in his rookie season would be a fun story line.

Why cheer against the Blues
I don't think a Cup win by the Blues would do much for the NHL (not sure why I care about that).

Los Angeles Kings
Why cheer for the Kings
I do like Kopitar and it would give the NHL back-to-back Champions for the first time in 15 years when the Red Wings did it in 97 and 98. Tyler Toffoli is a young prospect who I think has some serious potential and a Cup win would be a great career starter!

Why cheer against the Kings
Well they did bounce my Devils last season and the Kings are one of the reasons I think the Devils were pinched in the Kovalchuk business because it was the only case where a huge long term contract was punished by the NHL and I think it was partly due to the fact that the Kings were pursuing him too.

San Jose Sharks
Why cheer for the Sharks
A team that was a seller during the trade deadline still makes the playoffs....who wouldn't want to cheer for them? A guy I never heard of on the roster born in Thunder Bay, awesome! Let's not forget Jumbo Joe.

Why cheer against the Sharks
Underachievers for the past decade, it makes it sort of hard for a non-fan to jump on the bandwagon at this point. I am still ticked at Gomez for chasing money instead of sticking with the Devils.

Detroit Red Wings
Why cheer for the Red Wings
Well they are the only team my number PC Alex Delvecchio has ever played for and it has been a couple years since they won. I am also a Tigers fan so the city of Detroit is one I am familiar with cheering for too and who doesn't love the Too-Too Train.

Why cheer against the Red Wings
They have won enough cups in the last two decades, they need to share the wealth. I am actually happy to see some more parity in the NHL over the last couple seasons.

Minnesota Wild
Why cheer for the Wild
They have a serious lot of dedicated fans who certainly have earned a Stanley Cup. Zach Parise is a talented player who I still have much respect for and there are a few guys on that team I do like.

Why cheer against the Wild
For some reason it would really bother me to see them win the Cup the year after they poach Suter and Parise.

So in the end here is who I have:

Chicago Blackhawks out of the West and Pittsburgh Penguins out of the East. In the end, I will be cheering for the Hawks, but I can pretty much tolerate just about anyone winning the Cup this season. Anyway, thanks for tolerating me, and back to the cards with my next posts!

With the Devils out, who do I cheer for? Eastern Conference Version

Well my team is out, but that doesn't mean I go into hibernation for the post season, with all the cards I collect and my love of the game prevents me from giving up. So here are my options and reasons for each team:

Eastern Conference Teams:

Pittsburgh Penguins
Why cheer for the Pens
Well there are a few reasons for me to back this team. Being a Nova Scotian (my current residence), Sidney is huge out here and the choice of many out this way is the Pens so I will have a few people to cheer with. My man Bill Guerin works in the front office which is another huge plus and Robert Bortuzzo and I share the same birth place which I always cheer for Thunder Bay boys.

Why to cheer against the Pens
I dislike teams that go and buy championships at the trade deadline and the Pens are pretty much a time that kind of team this year. Also, they are heavy favourites and I tend to like underdogs a little more.

Montreal Canadiens
Why cheer for the Habs
The only reason I have to cheer for them is, I keep pulling Habs hits like they are going out of style!! Wait until you see my next couple box breaks. So if the Habs win the Cup, I am hoping to unload these cards at high prices or at good trade values.

Why cheer against the Habs
I have lots of friends and people I know (some obnoxious) that make it far too easy for me to want to cheer against them. Therefore, I don't see myself really ever wanting them to win anytime soon.

Washington Capitals
Why cheer for the Caps
Nick Backstrom is a favourite of mine and to see him do well would be great and I don't hate Ovi so it might be fun to see him go on a playoff run and grow a caveman beard. Joel Ward has been known to jack up his play during the playoffs and a former CIS kid winning the Cup would be cool too.

Why cheer against the Caps
They are a Southeast team and barely deserve to be in the playoffs let alone a third place seed. Ovi can be obnoxious too, but I really can't hate this team no matter how hard I try.

Boston Bruins
Why cheer for the Bruins
Boston won the Cup two years ago and I was meh about that, but this time around they have Jagr and Pandalfo which would be two feel good stories about them winning the Cup. Tyler Seguin is a player I like a fair bit so seeing him win would be cool too. Unlike some teams in the post-season, their roster is pretty much been the same for the past few seasons.

Why cheer against the Bruins
They are just one of those team I have never loved. Maybe it goes back to the 88 post-season when they bounced the Devils in 7 in the Conference Finals.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Why cheer for the Leafs
They are my assigned team in the Drop The Gloves! playoff tournament and I am a former team owner! Seriously, I was an Ontario teacher before moving out east so technically I owned some of the franchise.

Why cheer against the Leafs
Everything from their misspelled name to the many fans in Leafs Nation that feel the need to write graffiti in all the washrooms in Southern Ontario give me reason to cheer against them. I just can never bring myself to doing so and I am really sorry Mark because I do want you to be happy and you are a good friend.

New York Rangers
Why cheer for the Strangers Rangers
Marc Staal.

Why cheer against the Rangers
I don't need a reason, I am a Devils fan.

Ottawa Senators
Why cheer for the Sens
I have a few reasons here, first I used to live in Ottawa so I wouldn't mind seeing them win. They have survived many injuries and they are a young and fun team with lots of home-grown/drafted talent. I even met Craig Anderson's parents during the 08 WHC in Halifax and they were so nice to me that I became a fan of his before he had a starting gig anywhere. The Sens have maybe the most underrated defense in the NHL (and sure they have Karlsson, but every one of their defence would be top 4 on most NHL clubs). Daniel Alfredsson has given as much to that franchise as any other player has to their respective clubs and seeing him win would be a feel good story.

Why cheer against the Sens
There aren't many reasons for me to cheer against them except that the Canadian media would start to annoy me.

New York Islanders
Why cheer for the Isles
John Tavares is a player I like a great deal and I think it would be huge if he could get his club deep into the playoffs because he would be the reason for their success, no doubts there. Also, there would be a fair bit of neat irony with Nabokov making it to a Cup final with a team he refused to join at first. Keith Aucoin would be a great feel good story for a career minor league superstar to finally get a Cup chance.

Why cheer against the Isles
They are pretty close in proximity to the Devils, but they were never a hated rival really since their domination in the NHL was ending as the Devils became a NJ franchise. I don't have many reasons to cheer against them other than Garth Snow would likely get more credit for the win than he deserves.

Well that is the Eastern Conference, I will try to finish up the Western Conference in the next day or two and get back to my HOF autos!

Blog bat around, what would you buy with 1600 dollars on the 'Bay

For me, I would nail this with just two cards:

The first is a PSA 7 Wayne Gretzky Topps rookie which would be perfect for my 79/80 Topps Set that I am building. This card is on eBay, click card for link at a BIN price of just $399, a great deal if you ask me.

The second would be a PSA 3 Gordie Howe rookie which also would be perfect for my 51-52 Parkhurst set I am building. This card has a cool BIN price of 1200 dollars thus exhausting my 1600 dollars for the contest.

Thanks Casey for the contest and if you want to participate just go to this link:

12-13 ITG Superlative III Vladislav Tretiak Auto

For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge fan of the '72 Series. Even though it happened 7 years before I was born and 15 years before I started watching hockey, I haven't been able to get enough of that Series. Being Canadian, of course I am very pleased that Canada was victorious, but at the same time I have a real appreciate for the talent the Russian players possessed and their approach to preparing and playing hockey. Tretiak is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite players. Several years ago, The Hockey News put out an issue on the Greatest Debates and I still have my issue from 2005 which featured some pretty awesome topics including a "What if?" section with two awesome debates:

"What if New Jersey won the Mario derby?"

and

"What if Tretiak played in the NHL?"

Tretiak is a player who was someone I idolized long after his playing days were pretty much over. Vlad came into the spotlight as the starting goalie for the Russians in the '72 Series and unlike Canada, the Russians played him in all 8 games instead of playing Zinger or Sidelnikov. What the Canadians ran into was a goalie far more capable than they anticipated and for a goalie who never played pro hockey in North America, you would be hard pressed to find any non-NHL goalie more famous than him. He played 15 seasons for CSKA Moscow and he was even drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1983 at the age of 31. However, it was never meant to be as he would never defect to CAN/USA so it will always be a guessing game to what he COULD have done in the NHL at that point or in his prime. Vlad has had a huge impact working with many NHL goalies as both a coach with the Blackhawks and on his own with this goalie school. Ed Belfour can thank much of his career as a goalie because of Tretiak who be both idolized and received direct coaching help from the Russian great. Tretiak was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989 making him the first Russian player inducted into the Hall of Fame and arguably the first European. 

12-13 ITG Superlative III Vladislav Tretiak Auto

Is this what a perfect card looks like? I am not sure, but I do think this card is pretty amazing with all the features I look for in a memorabilia card. The photo is great, the swatch is game used team Russia and a good size and the auto is clear and on-card. I have wanted a piece of Vlad for as long as I have been collecting and to get this into my collection is pretty awesome. This card ranks as the second best pick-up in my collection as far as HOF autos go in the last year.

There you have it, another HOF auto, I have two left to share including my number 1 favourite pick-up in the last year before I can end this series and share some more pack and box breaks.

90-91 Score Fern Flaman Auto

Sorry for the little break in posts, I spent the last couple days dealing with our house move which is set to take place this Saturday! Super happy because our little house is just too little and my new home will feature a hockey card room (instead of my tiny closet) and a good sized media room for hockey games and air hockey. Anyway, this post is another in my series of HOF posts and like the Lemieux one, it is a base card signed and JSA certified.

Fern Flaman is far from a household name in today's day. However,  back in the day, he was a very very tough stay-at-home defenseman who could fight, hit and occasionally chip in a point here or there. If you want someone to compare him to, my best guess is think of Adam Foote with the toughness of Chelios. In terms of Devils, think about Scott Stevens being crossed with Ken Daneyko.

Fern didn't tear up the NHL as offensively as he did in the minors, but he did establish himself as a very dependable rear-guard and a player you didn't mess with. Fern was a three-time second team all-star and he appeared in 6 NHL all-star games. Gordie Howe even once said that Fern was the toughest defenseman he ever played against. 910 career games, 34 goals and 210 points are what he did offensively, but it is impossible to measure what Fern did off the scoresheet, but in 1990 he did get the recognition he deserved and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

1990-91 Score American Fern Flaman Auto

Here is this front side featuring a great autograph in my opinion. Nice and clear, on-card auto with a blue sharpie. The card features a great spot where Fern was able to sign an unobstructed auto next to his picture.

Here is the backside and again a 9 out of 10. What does a 10 signature look like BGS? Anyway, it might not be Super Mario or Steve Yzerman, but it is a HOF'er and I can thank Shane from Shoebox Legends for putting him on my radar. I actually scored this back in the summer for the price of a hobby pack of Artifacts!