Monthly Archives: January 2011

Panini & NHLPA Offer MVP Jersey in 2011 NHL All-Star Contest

By Andrew Tolentino | Assistant Editor

Fortifying its role as a major hockey hobby player, Panini America has teamed up with the National Hockey League Players Association to deliver a sweet sweater from next week’s 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

Considering that the prize is a jersey worn by the game’s MVP, the rules are simple:

1. Go to the 2011 All-Star MVP Challenge homepage
2. Click to predict the All-Star MVP winner and register with your contact information
3. Click Submit
4. Wait, Watch, Bite Fingernails

Lucky fans who correctly select the MVP from the 42 options will be entered into a drawing to win a game-worn sweater from that player.

Mindful of making everyone a winner, Panini and the NHLPA joined forces to offer another incentive. Upon registering for the contest, every entrant will receive 10 free virtual NHL Adrenalyn cards with the use of  promo code, NHLPAMVP.

Upper Deck to Make a 2011 NHL All-Star Appearance

By Andrew Tolentino | Assistant Editor

For the past two decades, Upper Deck has made an effort to promote hockey-card collecting at various NHL All-Star festivities. This year, the major manufacturer will make a three-day appearance at the 2011 NHL All-Star Fan Fair in Raleigh, N.C.

“We’re anticipating a great turnout, so we’ve come up with a highly sought-after lineup of All-Star redemption card sets to hand out each day of the show,” said Jodi Wasserman, Upper Deck’s Director of Marketing.

From Friday, Jan. 28 through Sunday, Jan. 30, thousands of fans can enjoy various programs organized by Upper Deck and other hockey advocates.

Bringing its wrapper redemption program to the booth, Upper Deck will offer one commemorative 2011 three-card All-Star pack to fans who open three packs of any 2010-11 Upper Deck hockey product (excluding Victory). These tribute packs come in three different versions, as listed below: Read More »

ITG Celebrates Miraculous '80s with Decades

By Andrew Tolentino | Assistant Editor

“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Quoting broadcaster Al Michaels in a recent press release, In The Game officials highlighted a Team USA Gold Medal victory as one of the many hockey miracles that occurred in the 1980s. Pointing to an era of growth and rising stars in the sport, ITG revealed the historical significance of its upcoming Decades – 1980s product.

“Back in 2009, In The Game surveyed collectors to determine which year they would like to see covered as part of a special trading card release. The winner was 1972, but 1980 was a very close second,” said In The Game’s President Dr. Brian Price.

Scheduled to release in March, Decades will offer appearances from USA Gold Medal team members like Jim Craig and Mike Erzione, and other luminaries who debuted in the era. Prominent players like Steve Yzerman, Paul Coffey, Patrick Roy, and Mario Lemieux first graced the ice as pros in the ’80s, thus adding a powerful allure to the set. Appearing throughout the 150-card base set, on inserts, and in game-used memorabilia cards, these greats add a strong foundation for the forthcoming release.

Beyond memorabilia and mugshots, big-name and cult-collected hockey heroes also impact the set with hard-signed autographs. Alongside Hall of Fame players like Mark Messier and Mike Gartner are signatures from underrepresented favorites like Barry Pedersen and Bob Sauve. Several players in this era-specific set will debut with their first-ever autographed trading cards.

Stay tuned for more information on In The Game’s Decades – 1980s.