Long over due thanks to Shane from Shoebox Legends

Like I mentioned in my past post, this is not the summer of blogging I was hoping for and even this thank you post will be a touch on the short side as Shane loaded me up with tonnes of cards and I will save some of the baseball loot for another day. With that being said, there was so much awesome in the package he sent I can probably spend 10 posts talking about it all. For today, I will focus on the 88-89 Devils Team set and an awesome rookie. 

First up is the 88-89 Team Set. I didn't have any of these and after getting this one all I can say is I want more!!! Here are a selection of cards from the set.

Ken Daneyko. If you were a real Devils fan then you always loved Kenny. Ken was a rugged stay at home d-man who didn't mind throwing down when he had to. Sadly he played nearly 5 seasons before getting his own rookie card in 89-90 OPC. This card predates that by a season.

One of the reasons the Devils made the playoffs was the amazing play of a young goalie the Devils called up from the Canadian Olympic Team to lead the Devils on a historic playoff push that culminated in them clinching a playoff spot on the last day of the season against the Blackhawks. While they didn't make the Cup finals, it gave fans like me hope for the future. This is a "rookie" card of sorts since he also appears in the 88-89 OPC/Topps sets.

By most people's standards, the most important card in the set is this one of Brendan Shanahan. Like Burke, he was a rookie during the 87/88 season so this card coincides with is rookie release. What I really enjoy about these cards are the backs. Check out the back of this card. You get more info than you would on hockeydb! 

Most of these numbers are on hockeydb except for one season, his midget season. In fact all these cards include extra stats and fun info of the players and coaches. Truly an awesome set start to finish.

Captain Kirk! One of my more favourite players during his time with New Jersey.

Here is one of my all-time favourite players! I hope he is able to find work in hockey again very soon. He has a great mind and has lots to offer the game of hockey.

Ahhh Jim Schoenfeld. If you are in my age bracket or older you might remember his famous confrontation with Koharski. I thought he was a pretty good coach but then again I was just a kid and I don't have much in the way of memories of him as a coach. Currently he is the GM of the Hartford Wolfpack

Here is a Lou Lamoriello rookie card! While the photo is creepy as hell, but I have loved his tenure with the Devils and he is one of the most respected GMs in NHL history.

The last card I am going to share in this post is a card I have been wanted for a few years now. Like only Shane can, he managed to nail a big want without clues or even help. While many seem to doubt Vanek's abilities I see him doing very well in Minnesota and during that small window of opportunity I was hopeful the Devils might have been able to sway him our way. Sadly he left his heart in Minnesota and I wish him all the best.

Pair of Vanek Rookies, Malkin isn't the only getting double love.

Vanek is just one of those players I like a great deal but of course being in a small market doesn't get the same recognition around the league like someone with similar talent in a larger market. For example, if you compare him with other 2003 classmates you may be surprised to know he has more points than: Jeff Carter, Milan Michalek, Dustin Brown, Zach Parise, Mike Richards and Corey Perry! In fact, Eric Staal is the only player drafted in 2003 who has more goals than Thomas Vanek and even then it is a mere 18 goals with Vanek player 100 fewer games. 

Hard to believe with credentials like that his rookies are dirty cheap and his autos are similarly priced. I was very fortunate to get a couple TTM's from Thomas a while back, and I also found a few rookies to join my collection that didn't come close to breaking the bank. 

05-06 UD Powerplay Thomas Vanek Rookie

If you want a rookie from 05-06, you can sometimes expect to pay a lot considering the number of quality rookies making their appearances that year. However, UD Powerplay offers decent looking rookies for very low prices. Crosby's rookie can be had for 20-30 bucks from this set on eBay.

05-06 Upper Deck MVP Thomas Vanek Rookie

Here is another low-mid range rookie. With the hot start Vanek had this season, prices on his cards did jump a bit, but my LCS had this priced based on 2011 prices so I landed it very very cheap. I do like the facsimile auto on this card which some didn't have.

While these cards aren't terribly exciting, they are nice rookies that like Malkin, won't break the bank and are well within what many collectors can afford. Vanek's Young Gun Rookie is also very attractive in price and appearance and I since I don't remember if I have one or not, I might want to figure that out first before I try and track one down....

Recent TTM Successes

Been a pretty slow month for autos, but I did get a few. Here are some of the successes I have had recently which I have been posting up on Dirty Dangle.com


Tyler Seguin
This kid had a great start to the year, and even though he cooled off towards the end, he certainly showed what he can do this year. I expect the growth to continue and he will be a solid 80-100 point kid in the future.

Carey Price

Around the same time everyone else was getting their autos, I was getting somebody else's auto. I had mailed away a really nice Ovation rookie and got back a cruddy OPC rookie. At least it was signed which is a success, but my hope was to have it on a nice rookie card instead. Win some, lose some.

Keith Yandle

Keith was kind enough to sign both cards I sent him. Love the auto and he actually took my cards on a trip because he mailed them from Phoenix, and I had mailed them to him in another state.

Johan Hedberg

Awesome back-up goalie for the Devils and an even better signer! He signed all three cards I sent, and this one is by far my favourite!


Thomas Vanek

Been a fan of him for a while! Vanek had a tough second half of the year, I can't help but think he was fighting through some injuries or something. I hope to see him back in 40 goal form soon. Thomas personalized one card I send and signed this Top Guns card as well! I love the personalized ones.