While some fans believe that a professional athlete has it all when it comes to fame and wealth, they do not always see the internal struggle experienced by some sporting heroes. Sometimes, this comes to the surface in the form of addiction and poor life decisions and it’s often difficult to acknowledge that our heroes are ultimately as human as we are. In the case of former … [Read more...] about Real Chevrefils – Collecting a Forgotten NHL All-Star
boston bruins
27 Years After Famed Boston Garden Auction, Bruins Banner Back on the Block
On September 27, 1996, Rick Poulin’s heart was racing a mile a minute. He was sitting on a cement floor in the center of the gutted Boston Garden on what once was the Bruins’ hockey rink and Celtics’ basketball court. Lelands, the first sports auction house, was holding the first auction ever of the relics from a sports arena or stadium from its … [Read more...] about 27 Years After Famed Boston Garden Auction, Bruins Banner Back on the Block
Canada Post Releases Collectible Willie O’Ree Stamp Set
Canada Post has continued its relationship with the NHL Alumni by issuing a pair of stamps in a commemorative booklet featuring Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in NHL history. The stamps went on sale at Canada Post outlets across Canada Friday. They are also available online at canadapost.ca. The three-panel booklet tells the story of O’Ree and how he joined the Boston … [Read more...] about Canada Post Releases Collectible Willie O’Ree Stamp Set
Former Garden Employee’s Jersey Collection Includes Orr, Espo
A former Boston Garden employee has consigned several decades-old game-worn Boston Bruins jerseys that are part of the current Heritage Auctions catalog, including a new addition to the known number of Bobby Orr jerseys in the hobby. The six jerseys—five gamers and one game-issued experimental mesh jersey that was to have been used by Orr—are in the company’s current … [Read more...] about Former Garden Employee’s Jersey Collection Includes Orr, Espo
Notes: 1982’s “Card of the Year”; Game-Worn Auctions
Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk turned 72 on Thursday. That was his uniform number with the Chicago White Sox in the 1980s, who eventually retired it. Interestingly, his rookie card is in the ’72 Topps set…and he hit 72 homers after turning 40 according to historian Christopher Kamka. It was while wearing that number with the Sox that Fisk was featured on a 1982 Topps In … [Read more...] about Notes: 1982’s “Card of the Year”; Game-Worn Auctions
Mystery Solved: The Story Behind Cam Neely’s Rookie Card Photo
Before the age of online statistics databases for sports, there was a great deal of mystery surrounding the origins of the photos that appear on some of the hobby's greatest cards. Researchers are starting to scrutinize vintage cards more and more these days and the discovery of the exact date of a shot reveals an exciting story. In the case of Cam Neely's rookie card from the … [Read more...] about Mystery Solved: The Story Behind Cam Neely’s Rookie Card Photo
Notes: Big $ for Gretzky Jersey; Bleier Explains Decision to Sell; Bruins/MeiGray Winter Classic Auction
A Wayne Gretzky game jersey photo matched to the 1986-87 regular season and Stanley Cup Finals sold for $201,009 via Classic Auctions last night. A 1980 Team USA jersey donned by “Miracle on Ice” team member Mark Wells netted $58,888. Photos match it to wear during the Gold Medal game against Finland. One of the hobby’s toughest pre-War hockey cards, a 1923-24 … [Read more...] about Notes: Big $ for Gretzky Jersey; Bleier Explains Decision to Sell; Bruins/MeiGray Winter Classic Auction
Frank Brimsek: Mr. Zero, American Hero
The days of old time hockey had a scant few American-born stars outside of Hall of Famers like Frank Goheen and Hobey Baker, but no player from the United States had been a superstar in the NHL before the arrival of Frank Brimsek with the Boston Bruins in 1938-39. Today's collectors may not realize his significance within the game and the hobby itself, but now is as good a time … [Read more...] about Frank Brimsek: Mr. Zero, American Hero
Beantown Beginnings: Collecting the Original Boston Bruins
With the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final once again, it is a perfect time to reflect on the team’s rather humble beginnings and examine the first hockey cards featuring one of the game’s most popular franchise. Before the 1924-25 season, the National Hockey League was in its infancy and limited itself to just two Canadian provinces. In Ontario, you had the Ottawa … [Read more...] about Beantown Beginnings: Collecting the Original Boston Bruins
David Pastrnak’s Crazy Winter Classic Stick Now Up for Auction
He has many talents on the ice but the most talked about part of David Pastrnak’s 2018-19 season might just be a piece of game-used equipment. If every picture tells a story, Pastrnak is proof that a hockey stick can do the same thing. The colorful and creative piece used by the Bruins’ right winger in their 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium … [Read more...] about David Pastrnak’s Crazy Winter Classic Stick Now Up for Auction