NHL Hobby Stars of the Week: Jamie Benn, Ondrej Pavelec, Mark Stone
By Eric Norton | Beckett Hockey Analyst
It’s Tuesday, and that means we run down the three Hobby Stars of the Week and let collectors know why they should take notice of their cards. Below are the three stars of last week.
Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars
Despite the Stars having been eliminated from playoff contention there was still plenty on the line for their left winger Benn as he was in race for the Art Ross Trophy. All Benn did was snatch the trophy away from John Tavares in the waning moments of the Stars final game of the season. He led the league with 10 points, including five goals, in a week that saw Benn record at least three points in each of the Stars outings. He opened the week by scoring two goals and adding a helper (2-1-3) in a 5-1 rout of the Sharks. In the Stars next game, Benn added three more assist (0-3-3) as Stars defeated the conference rivals Anaheim Ducks. Benn then closed the week with his second career hat-trick, and an assist, to clinch the Art Ross Trophy (3-1-4), against the Predators, in front of the hometown fans in Dallas. For a fifth round draft pick Benn has quietly become the best left winger in the game.That may be a little hometown bias, but the numbers are hard to argue. Since he entered the league in the 2009-10 season he has played in 426 games, scored over 150 goals, and has added over 200 assist (151-208-359). Collectors know who he is as well, especially in the Dallas market. While the asking prices for his cards are not astronomical on the secondary markets some of his high-end Rookie Cards can come with a premium.
Cards to Grab:
2009-10 The Cup #130 JSY AU RC/249, $250
2009-10 SP Authentic #223 AU RC/999, $50
2009-10 Be A Player #281 RC/99, $30
Ondrej Pavelec, G, Winnipeg Jets
To say that Pavelec was “good” in net last week would be an understatement. Pavelec, in fact, was indeed great in net as he turned away all 83 shots that he faced helping the Jets to their second playoff berth in franchise history. The week opened with 32 saves in a 2-0 win against the Wild. Pavelec then shutout the Blues, stopping all 30 shots they took, the next night in a 1-0 win. The Jets regular season came to an end in a 1-0 shootout loss to the Av’s as Pavelec denied all 21 shots he faced in regulation making him the first Jets goalie to record three consecutive shutouts in franchise history. Pavelec is a fan favorite in Winnipeg and his feats of this last week will add to his lore. Just kidding, their is no Pavelec lore, but the good news is that Pavelec is affordable and there is no reason the collector could not start a PC of him for a reasonable price.
Cards to Grab:
2007-08 Hot Prospects #230 JSY AU RC/399, $40
2007-08 SP Authentic Limited #198 AU Patch/100, $60
2012-13 ITG Ulitmate Memorabilia Autograph Jerseys #15/19, $50
Mark Stone, RW, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa’s push to playoffs was anchored by some very stellar play by a core group of rookies that includes Andrew Hammond, and Calder contenders Mike Hoffman and Stone himself. He was second in the league with four goals last week (4-1-5) as he help the Senators to three consecutive wins and a playoff berth. Stone opened the week with his first career multi-goal game in a 4-3 win over the Pens. In the Senators next outing Stone picked up an assist in a shutout victory as Ottawa topped the New York Rangers 3-0. Stone closed the regular season with two goals in a 3-1 win that tied-up a playoff spot for Ottawa. Stone has just 16 Rookie Cards in the Beckett database and is surprisingly affordable on the secondary market. If the Senators make a run in the playoffs there is no doubt that his cards could see a price increase. Jumping on the bandwagon now might not be a bad idea.
Cards to Grab:
2012-13 The Cup #120 JSY AU RC/249, $100
2012-13 Ultimate Collection #41 AU RC/99, $80
2012-13 Dominion #139 JSY AU RC/99, $50
Young Gun of the Week – 2007-08 Upper Deck #462 Jonathan Toews, $100
