Back Checking - 1991/92 Pro Set The 1991 NHL Draft CC1

The early 90's was an ever growing world when it came to sports cards and the same could be said for the NHL draft. It slowly grew from a back room activity to an arena event with spectators. 1991 was also the year that everyone was going after Lindros including the card companies. Score owned his exclusive rights but that didn't stop Upper Deck and Pro Set from finding loop holes. Upper Deck put out "Canada's Captains" in their 1990/91 UD High Series and Pro Set came out with CC1.

Pro Set on the heels of their debut, came out with an insert set and autographs inserted into packs. The insert set was not advertised and you could end up with a few of these cards in a box or none. Eventually after the dust settled, the CC (collectable card?) consisted of 9 cards. 4 could be found in series 1 and 5 in series 2. The first four were The Draft, The Mask, Pat Falloon and Scott Niedermayer. The second batch, CC5-9 consisted of leaders from the 90-91 season. 

I actually remember the 1991 draft because the Devils owned Toronto's pick thanks to the Tom Kurvers deal and I was hoping all season they would finish last and the Devils would land Lindros. It never happened of course and Quebec would never get Lindros either despite having the first overall pick. But what Quebec did get was far more than Lindros' value and the Devils did well themselves. Here is the card:

1991/92 Pro Set The 1991 NHL Draft CC1

Look at the hustle and bustle. A far cry from the 1971 NHL draft which was held in a posh Montreal Hotel. This draft would be a pretty impressive one if you considered just the first round alone.

Here is the back and the whole reason for the card was player number 1. Some of the other names aren't too shabby either. Niedermayer, Forsberg, Matvichuk and Rolston. Kovalev wasn't a slouch and neither was Markus Naslund. Everyone one except Brent Bilodeau would play in the NHL. Half of these players would score at least 300 career points and some of the best picks ended up later in the draft. Ray Whitney went 23rd overall and Ziggy Palffy would go 26th.

Looking back on the draft, I am glad we had the third pick as things turned out very well for the Devils.

Drop the Gloves! Trade Part 2 - This time it is personal

So part two I knew Casey was going to throw in some extras, I just had no idea what they were going to be. It turns out he really knows me as a collector and threw in some cards that are all important and significant to me in some way!

2002-03 ITG Signature Series Jerome Iginla

I went after an Iggy auto TTM style and even though it turns out that he doesn't sign cards, I did get an auto. However, Casey fixed that for me sending me a very nice Iggy on-card auto!


2002-03 ITG Signature Series Scott Niedermayer

Even though I already have two of Scott's autos, this is only my second on a hockey card the first being this one. However, this is a much nicer auto than my other, so this is a very welcomed upgrade and a very nice card!

2002-03 ITG Signature Series Daniel Alfredsson

Like the first two autos this is a nice 02-03 ITG BAP auto card. However, unlike the first two, I didn't have his auto at all! Instead of upgrading my autos, Casey was kind enough to give me one I didn't have at all, but definitely wanted! I have seen Alfy play live more times than any other NHL'er and his career which has spanned three decades may be finally over thanks to this lockout, but if he does return, he will continue adding to a very solid which may not result in a HOF induction, but will result in his number being retired in Ottawa when he is done with the game.

So there you have it, 6 autos, 8 cards in total and a very nice and well appreciated trade has come to an end! Thanks again Casey, I already have some cards on my end I think you might like and I look forward to our next deal as always.

Scott Niedermayer Auto

Once upon a time when there was NHL hockey, there used to be a rule that the worst team got the first overall pick. It was almost a reward for the fans, where if they endured enough crappy hockey during the season they would have something to look forward to the next year. 

The New Jersey Devils were bad for a long time, basically from their time of inception in 1974 (as the Scouts) until 1987 they made the payoffs ONCE and lost the best of three 2-0 to the Flyers. So during that time did they ever get the first overall pick? Yes, once and it was when the organization was in Colorado in 1979. Who did they pick with the ONLY first overall choice in the entire franchise....Rob Ramage, not a bad pick but with Gartner, Bourque, Messier, Goulet and Anderson all available, I can't help but feel that chance was blown.

We did almost have a chance at first overall in 1984. The Devils were in last with about 2 weeks to go and the Penguins did the unthinkable....tanked on purpose. I know people will say this and that about the 83-84 Season, but truth is, they tanked it on purpose and why would they do that you ask.....Mario Lemieux.

So after a couple more second overall picks the Devils had another shot for first overall thanks to Tom Kurvers. Tom was a decent defenseman who was wanted by the Toronto Maple Leafs so bad that they were willing to give up their 1st pick in the 1991 draft. Well luck would finally have it for NJ that 90-91 was not very kind to the Maple Leafs. At one point it was a neck and neck race between Quebec and Toronto for the race to the bottom. Knowing what was at stake, I was the biggest fan of 20 NHL teams that season and I hope for a shot at the biggest prospect since Lemieux....Eric Lindros. Who ever came second in that cellar race would have the settle for the Third overall pick because of an expansion to San Jose.

In the end, luck once again turned its back on NJ and we were faced with the third overall pick. In some ways it was a blessing because if we landed up with Falloon, we might not have had a couple Stanley Cups by now, but then again the 93 Series with Lindros against the Rangers could have ended much differently too.

This card would not have been possible if not for the help of Tom Kurvers and the Toronto Maple Leafs...so thank you!

96-97 BAP Pinnacle Scott Niedermayer Auto

This is my second Niedermayer auto, my first one was an autographed postcard I bought at the Kitchener Mall when I was in University.