In The Game Really Had Game

Since 1910 hockey cards have existed in many different configurations and the evolution over the past 110 years has shown collectors many advancements. Are those advancements good ones? Since 2000 when In The Game made history but cutting up history for their 2000-01 Be A Player Memorabilia Set collectors and fans have had mixed feelings. As a whole, I'd say it has been positive as many more sets would feature "memorabilia" pieces embedded in cards and there is a whole culture of collectors who live and breathe "APRs".

There has also been cards on CD, virtual cards and many other different iterations. Autographs on card, on sticker and even pieces of table clothes and banners from special NHL events. Personally, I like some of the changes but there are many I can live without. However, for ever fan out there who dislikes much of this stuff, there are others who use products like e-Pack all the time and strive to complete rainbows and chase "Bounties".

I have become disillusioned a bit by the many products that are out there today which really are just repeats of other ideas that were lukewarm received at best the first time. Is it laziness in companies like Upper Deck or is it just a case where collectors really only care about the top 5% players in the league and the rest are nothing more than just filler cards? Once upon a time the jersey card was a chase card which was the result of truly beating some incredible odds. Today even low production numbered jersey cards from high end products leave you with a card that may be worth no more than a couple bucks on the secondary market. Collecting isn't necessarily about the money but for a fan of someone like Duncan Keith, what motivation is there to drop 200 bucks on a box when you could just by that card for 5 bucks on eBay? The answer is simple, gambling. The hope you could land the $1000 autograph or rookie that box is potentially hiding.

As a person who has always loved vintage, this has just confirmed for me that vintage cards are one way to keep my passion going when it comes to the hobby and there really is no shortage of very cool and very fun vintage sets out there. However, not all modern cards are junk. I also have found myself appreciating the many cards that In The Game has put out over the years (specifically from 2000-2015). So today I am going to share one such card.

2009-2010 ITG Superlative Vol 2 Milt Schmidt Patch SP /15

The front of this card is what truly makes this a winner and for what the back is lacking in my opinion the front is making up for it. You get a good photo of Milt on the front and you are coupling it with an amazing patch which you can completely picture where it came from on his jersey. What you don't see is loads of foiling and modern embellishments which you get on many cards today. 

 Here is the back side of the card. Very plain and while I'd love to see something about Milt or at least some vitals, you are treated to a write up explaining what you are seeing on the front of the card. Try and find that on most modern cards today. I have both bought and pulled cards which did leave me puzzled wondering what article of clothing or gear was my "player worn" piece originated as when it was on the player.

As I finish up this post I want to make something very clear, I am not shitting on any one company or any one collector. If there is something out there you like/love, chase it, collect it and don't let the opinions of others diminish your enjoyment of that pursuit. For myself, I have changed over the past couple years and while I still appreciate the memorabilia card, the need to own 30-40 pieces of a single player definitely isn't there anymore. With that being said, please keep enjoying your finds and successes and I will continue to do so myself and share them on here.

Fin Finds - 13-14 UD Series 1 Marc Staal Game Used Patch /15

My LCS seems to have little respect for GU cards with many living in the 3 for 5 bin or are labelled with unbelievably awesome prices. That is the case with this card.

Marc and I are from the same part of the world with both of us having been born on the Fort William side of Thunder Bay.

13-14 UD Series 1 Marc Staal Game Used Patch /15

Being a collector who has busted countless packs of UD's base set I can attest these patch cards are nearly impossible to pull. Since getting back into the hobby in 2007, I probably have busted over a case or two of this stuff and while the is a small number to some, that is still a pretty significant number of boxes. In that time, I have pulled loads of game used cards, countless Young Guns and even more inserts. I however have only managed to pull 1 patch card and 1 autograph card. The patch card was a pretty epic experience and it is a card that probably has diminished a fair bit in value due to saturation but is still a card I cherish a fair bit. The autograph was of Ryan Potulny and I certainly don't hold it in the same light!

Landing a fellow Thunder Bay boy in patch form with a really low print run is a nice deal if you ask me, what sweetens it is the fact it cost a fin! Yep 5 bucks for a card that if I spent 4 bucks on a pack and pulled I would have danced a jig. Hmm, am I finished with packs for good now?

13-14 ITG Heroes and Prospects Jonathan Drouin Subway Super Series Patch /30

Living in Nova Scotia for the past 10 years have been pretty good, especially from a hockey standpoint. The Mooseheads have had some pretty decent teams during that time and the province has pumped out a few decent players. Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon being the two best in recent years. While Jonathan Drouin is not a Nova Scotia native, he did spend a couple seasons with the Mooseheads so I am willing to overlook place of birth and call him one of our own!

13-14 ITG Heroes and Prospects Jonathan Drouin Subway Super Series Patch /30
























Still waiting to land an official rookie auto of this kid but in the meantime here is a nice game used patch from the Subway Super Series! This is from the crest on the front of his jersey and is a pretty decent sized one at that! I love how affordable ITG stuff is on the secondary market and if you plan on not making it an investment piece, then it is often the best bang for your buck! Landed this a while back for less than a pack of Artifacts shipped!

00-01 Private Stock Game Gear Sergei Fedorov Patch /175

The more and more I look around it seems that during my nearly 10+ year hiatus from the hobby I missed out on some pretty neat cards and products. While I have added some of the stuff out there I missed I am sure they are thousands upon thousands I will never get to see. The whole Metal Universe for example, is a concept I missed out on but apparently was well loved. 

Game used cards have been around for over 15 years now and I suspect they are here to stay. While they aren't as loved, as rare or as valuable as they once were, it is still a chance to get close to a player and own a piece of the game. Here is one card I picked up from a time I wasn't collecting and is so filthy it is amazing!  

00-01 Private Stock Game Gear Sergei Fedorov Patch /175

Check out that swatch! Clearly this jersey is either so heavily used it was stained or it was just never washed after it left Sergei's back! Either way, I LOVE it. True there could have been more intricate or cool swatches off that tire/wing but the dirty white mixed with the red is pretty cool in my books. Definitely a nice swatch from a future HOF'er! With this and his rookie card I am all set for when he is inducted as I will have the two of three I am always looking for. With that being said, he was such a big part of my hockey life growing up and a player I always respected that I probably will try and chase his auto too. Surprisingly though for being a modern star, there aren't loads of his autos out there and they actually sell in the 25-40 dollar range so hopefully I can land one via trade.