VOICES OF THE GAME - It Never Stops

Over the past few months I have picked up a couple Hall Of Fame autos as "throw-ins" in a pair of trades.  By no means am I saying that these cards are worth nothing....in fact, I think they are huge adds to the pc.

So big in fact that I have decided to start a new project.  Yes....I know.  How many frickin' projects can a guy have???!!!  Answer - As many as I want.  Ha.

This Dick Irvin signature is so cool to have in my collection.  Irvin is one of the all-time great storytellers, color commentators and hockey historians - PERIOD.

His voice triggers a time in my life where hockey was new to me.  Collecting cards for the first time, discovering favorite players, rooting for top teams and listening to those who would shape not just my hockey knowledge going forward....but teaching what has occurred in the past.

A definite inspiration for me when it comes to hockey - and television.

Dick Irvin is such a key part of hockey history.

There has been only one voice of the Calgary Flames in the 35+ years of existence....Peter Maher.  His knowledge of Flames history is astounding and he makes every game a fun one to listen to.

Never a homer....he projects excitement and intensity regardless of the team that scores.  I like that.  Don't get me wrong...he likes to jam it up when the Flames win a big one, but he never downplays a visiting team's effort.

And while the time is drawing closer to the day when he won't be calling the Flames games anymore, I will continue to enjoy what he brings to the table.  He's not a Hall Of Fame Broadcaster for just his years of service.  He works hard and does it the right way.

I picked up this Bill Clement signature last night at the monthly trader night.  I'll be honest, the only reason why I traded for it is because I had the other two cards above.  When I saw the Clement, I thought for a bit about more than just the person on the front of the card.

For almost 20 years, I have been in the broadcast industry.  First as a volunteer at the local community station, then I worked in news as an editor (what a fast-paced world) and then the past decade-plus in post production houses.

Currently, I work as a producer/editor as at a world-class sports facility here in the city.  And to say that I enjoy the world of sports broadcasting would be an understatement.  I love watching high level people in the business hone their craft.

From cameramen to replay guys, color commentators to documentary producers.  Sports on television is where it's at for me.

So seeing some cards that celebrate these people is something that I'm drawing closer and closer to.  And last night I made the decision to pull the trigger.

I'm starting a collection of broadcaster cards - Voices Of The Game.

I know of a few insert sets that have been produced by Panini and inserted into their Crown Royale sets.  There's about 40 cards over three years to chase.  Some big names along with some unknowns (to me).

There are also some cards here and there in other releases - such as the infamous 06/07 Parkhurst autograph set.  And of course some killer cut autos (like Foster Hewitt....but I've got a bit of a trump card on him).

All in all, I think it will be a fun collection to build and it will remind me of the two worlds I love converging.  I'm looking forward to taking this project out for a spin.


Current Collection - 3 cards