By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

Hockey fans got a treat at the Sportscard & Memorabilia Expo when hockey goaltending legend Patrick Roy signed for what he says was his only card show appearance.

Fans took pictures with Roy, who was there as part of a 1993 Montreal Canadiens reunion. They also had pictures, pucks and sticks signed by the hockey great.

After his signing, Patrick Roy spent a few minutes with Beckett Media talking about his own collection and meeting fans.

Q. What sort of unique items did you see out there today?

A. Unique items? There is nothing in my head right now popping up. Basically, to be honest with you because I’ve been a hockey card collector, I respect everything. Maybe 10-15 year ago I stopped. But what people like to collect is what matters and precious to your eyes. I respect whatever people want to get signed.

Q. What did you collect?

A. Hockey cards, but old cards. I have 1912-1913 (C57) and from the ‘30s. Every card in the ‘50s and up to probably ‘85 with my own Rookie Card.

Q. Do you ever look at your cards or keep them in storage?

A. I look at them once in a while. They are in binders.

Q. What made you stop collecting?

A. At the start of the 1990s, it started to be out of control a little bit. Too many cards. I was buying a lot of O-Pee-Chees and stuff like that.

Q. Do you see what cards look like now with jerseys and autographs, how do you compare that to what you used to collect?

A. I think it’s great. It’s different. As a collector, I look at some sets I have and some are sideways, some are longer, some are smaller. I mean I think that’s what makes it special, you know?

Q. What’s it like for you to be out there and meet with the public?

A. It’s the time in public in a long time. First time I do a card show. If I did one, I don’t recall it. It’ been a long time.

It was nice. At the same time, I certainly could appreciate that they are big hockey fans. Because of people like this, our game has grown. It’s still very entertaining.

Q. What was it like to see a lot of old teammates?

A. That was fun. I see Mike Keane once in a while. I see Guy Carbonneau and (Vincent) Damphouse a lot because of RDS. It’s always fun to see them.

Q. After doing this card show, is it something you plan no doing more of?

A. Not really. I enjoyed my day. I just feel it’s so unique you cannot do it every day or every week or every year. Once in a while it’s good. It’s fun.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Hockey. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook and Twitter.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

With the Spring Expo just a few days away, Panini America has released its plan for collectors.

Panini is bringing the Team Colors set back to Toronto and collectors will get a chance to grab a full set.

Bring an unopened box of 2012-13 Certified Hockey, 2012-13 Classics Signatures Hockey or 2012-13 Limited Hockey to receive a complete 10-card Team Colors set. Cards will feature players such as Evgeni Malkin, P.K. Subban and Marian Hossa.

In conjunction with Patrick Roy signing at the Spring Expo, Panini has created two exclusive Roy cards. Collectors can obtain these by getting a passport card at a local Canadian hobby shop. Bring the passport to the Universal Distributors booth to get one of the cards.

The Spring Expo takes place May 3-5 at the Toronto International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Hockey. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook and Twitter.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey

Ever wonder how a grade could change the value of a card?

On Free Price Wednesday, we’re going to look at Patrick Roy’s 1986-87 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card. In good condition, the card books for $60-$120.

But this is a popularly graded card. The number peeking back at you in the slab could change the value. Beckett offers these values in the Online Price Guide for various cards.

Check out the screen shot below:

On the right side, there are values for graded cards from a BGS 8 to a 9.5.

An 8 has a high value of $120
8.5 (NmMt+) – $200
9 (Mint) – $350
9.5 (GemMt) – $1,500

According to population report, 1,112 of these cards have been graded by Beckett. Just nine have come back a 10 and 61 with a 9.5.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Hockey. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow Beckett Media on Facebook and Twitter.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

The Sportcard and Memorabilia Expo is getting ready for its Spring show, bringing together an autograph guest list that should have collectors lining up.

The 1993 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup team will be back together again including Patrick Roy, Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne the weekend of May 3-5.

The Expo features more than 900 tables of cards and collectibles, but the 1993 team will surely be the highlight at the Toronto International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

As of now, here’s the list:

- Patrick Roy
- Vincent Damphouse
- Brian Bellows
- Mike Keane
- Kirk Muller
- Stephan Lebeau
- Gilbert Dionne
- Eric Desjardins
- Matthieu Schneider
- Lyle Odelein
- Benoit Brunet
- Ed Ronan
- Andre Racicot
- Jacques Demers

The guest list could change, and even have more additions. We’ll have more information as it’s available.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Hockey. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here.

Join Beckett Hockey‘s Dave Sliepka and Chris Olds as they rip into a pair of 2012-13 Certified boxes from Panini America in this latest edition of Box Busters.

What will they find inside? Watch and find out …

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

In The Game knows the despair hockey fans are feeling during the lockout. The company is trying to ease the pain by bringing contests, prizes and autograph guests to its booth at the 2012 Fall Expo this weekend.

One of the contests involved getting into ITG’s safe that contains a game-worn jersey from each Darryl Sittler and Patrick Roy. If you get into the safe, one of those jerseys is yours.

ITG will provide more information on the contest at its booth in the In The GameLand area.

Other games include Deal or No Deal; He Shoot, He Scores; and Spin to Win.

ITG’s autograph guests include Spencer Martin: a highly touted goalie from the OHL looking to stake a claim in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and Aaron Ekbland, a 15-year-old talent slated for the 2014 draft.

The signings are free and hours will be posted at ITG’s booth on Friday.

Check out Beckett’s Fall Expo collectors guide here.

Susan Lulgjuraj is an editor of Beckett Hockey. You can email her here with questions, comments or ideas. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

In The Game’s hockey products have been around for more than a decade. Now, Dr. Brian Price is bringing together a product that highlights its past with History of Hockey.

There are just four cards in each box: a memorabilia card, a PSA/DNA certified autograph, a Rookie Card and a buyback.

ITG hasn’t released dates or pricing yet, but there are plenty of pictures and early information about History of Hockey for hockey collectors.

Most of the original work comes in the 145-card set Great Moments in Hockey. These are all memorabilia cards and includes an extensive checklist.

Some of the highlights include Paul Henderson‘s “Goal of the Century” in 1972 to clinch the Summit Series against the USSR, Wayne Gretzky’s record-setting 802nd goal, Bobby Orr’s flying goal to complete the sweep of the St. Louis Blues in 1970 and the Miracle on Ice.

These first two group of cards in Great Moments in Hockey will have artwork by Jared Kelley and Mike James, whose cards will include vintage authentic memorabilia. Each card will feature hand-painted artwork with nine silver versions and just one gold version. The final 85 in the group will also have artwork, but will have 30 silver versions and 10 gold.

ITG’s buy backs will be cards from past products starting with 1998-99. There are some huge names that are going to be included such as Steve Yzerman, Mario Lemeiux and Patrick Roy. ITG will include 4,000 buy backs (which should give you an idea of how many boxes will be made of History of the Game).

Half of the 4,000 will be autographs and the other will be memorabilia cards.

ITG has combed the years to find some of the best Rookie Cards of top players. There are opportunities to snag Orr’s 1966-67 Topps RC or Maurice Richard’s 1951-52 Parkhurst RC. Some of the Rookie Cards will be more valuable than others, but there is a chance to pull some great cards.

The final card in the box is an authentic autograph on cards various sets and companies such as a Gretzky on a 1981 O-Pee-Chee or Phil Esposito on 1975 Topps. All the autographs have been verified by PSA.

Each of the cards are encapsulated, clearly labeled and serial-numbered.

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Hockey Editor

Over the last several years, Upper Deck’s Ultimate Collection has been inserted with the 1997 Legends autograph subset. The checklist is filled with some of the great players in the respective sports.

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in basketball. Brett Favre and Dan Marino in football – just to name a few.

This year’s Ultimate Collection kicks off a three-year cycle with hockey of the 1997 Legends autographs with 30 players in each release. The product comes out next week.

The checklist includes some of the best hockey players to take the ice. Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy, Bobby Hull and Mark Messier are included on the list.

In addition, there are several fan favorites.

Fans of the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers are going to appreciate the checklist with eight players for each team represented. Gretzky and Messier will appear with Edmonton on the cards, honoring the early parts of their career. Also joining the checklist for Edmonton are Grant Fuhr, Marty McSorley, Paul Coffey and others.

The Flyers will be represented by Bobby Clarke, Dave Schultz, Ron Hextall, Bill Barber, Eric Lindros, Reggie Leach, Rick MacLeash and Tim Kerr.

Thirty new cards will be in 2012-13 and 2013-14 Ultimate Collection, and superstars and legends could appear more than once in the set with different teams.

Check out the full checklist below:

AL-1 Bobby Hull Chicago
AL-2 Stan Mikita Chicago
AL-3 Tony Esposito Chicago
AL-4 Alex Delvecchio Detroit
AL-5 Red Kelly Detroit
AL-6 Ted Lindsay Detroit
AL-7 Bill Ranford Edmonton
AL-8 Glenn Anderson Edmonton
AL-9 Grant Fuhr Edmonton
AL-10 Jari Kurri Edmonton
AL-11 Marty McSorley Edmonton
AL-12 Mark Messier Edmonton
AL-13 Paul Coffey Edmonton
AL-14 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton
AL-15 Guy Lafleur Montreal
AL-16 Jean Beliveau Montreal
AL-17 Larry Robinson Montreal
AL-18 Patrick Roy Montreal
AL-19 Bill Barber Philadelphia
AL-20 Bobby Clarke Philadelphia
AL-21 Dave Schultz Philadelphia
AL-22 Eric Lindros Philadelphia
AL-23 Ron Hextall Philadelphia
AL-24 Reggie Leach Philadelphia
AL-25 Rick MacLeish Philadelphia
AL-26 Tim Kerr Philadelphia
AL-27 Adam Oates St. Louis
AL-28 Brett Hull St. Louis
AL-29 Doug Gilmour Toronto
AL-30 Wendel Clark Toronto

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Hockey magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

In The Game is having a party where all hockey collectors are invited.

The company is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Between the Pipes, a product featuring the best goalies in the history of the game.

“This collection has always featured many of the best goaltenders around and it has evolved over time,” ITG said in a release. “It was a landmark for hobbyists as it was the first stand-alone product that was devoted to protectors of the crease and had a great mix of autographs and game-used memorabilia as well.”

Between the Pipes debuted for the 2001-02 season, but took a year off in 2004-05 when the NHL was in a lockout. It came back the next season on a limited basis and after that returned in full force.

The 10th anniversary issue will have 200 base cards with eight different subsets: Future Star, Stars of the Game, Decades, Stars and Stripes, La Belle Province, Expansion Tandems, International Pioneers and One-Game Wonders.

In the Game feels this set one of its best products yet, which is scheduled to come out on May 3.

There are also special 10th Anniversary cards that will fall at one in every eight packs.

Each box of 2011-12 Between the Pipes will have 18 packs and nine cards in each pack.

Autograph cards will fall at one in every eight packs on average while memorabilia cards fall at the same rate as well. Fans can find autographs from more than 100 subjects, including a number of future stars and current stars such as Henrik Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo and Niklas Backstrom. Past stars include Dominik Hasek, Bernie Parent, Mike Richter and Patrick Roy.

Some of the memorabilia used in the set include jumbo stick pieces, patches, pads and gloves.

ITG is also putting a twist on its He Shoot-He Scores redemption program.

“This season, we have produced the points cards in the form of nine-piece puzzles which can be assembled into a larger photo of some of hockey’s greatest netminders,” ITG said. “Save up 200 points to redeem them for a special memorabilia card or put them in sheets to enjoy!”

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.

By Andrew Tolentino | Hockey Editor

Leaking more details about its upcoming lineup, Upper Deck recently divulged details about2011-12 SPx Hockey.

Collectors will have to wait until late January – early February to break the updated brand, but the specs and highlights should suffice for now.
Before the box odds, there are a few new, and re-tweaked features to note:

• New Shadow Box Programme of Excellence cards
• Team Canada Superstars
• Dual-swatch memorabilia cards
• Ice / Ice Premieres cards
• Spectrum base parallels, now numbered to 15 with patches

Boxes come with 18 packs with four cards each,  plus a bonus pack (likely Ice) and should yield the following, on average:

• One Autographed Rookie Jersey
• One Rookie Jersey or Winning Materials
• One Winning Materials dual-swatch card
• One Winning Combos dual-swatch card
• One Ice Premieres Rookie Card
• Two numbered inserts

Stay tuned to Beckett.com as more information about 2011-12 SPx Hockey becomes available.

Spectrum base parallel with a patch

New Shadow Box Programme of Excellence card (mock-up)

Flash Back Fabrics Autograph Memorabilia

Autographed Rookie Jersey

Winning Materials Autograph Memorabilia

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