CARDBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY - Maurice Richard

I love black & white photos. I think they're more intimate and strong than their color counterparts. Bold and commanding attention while remaining somewhat subtle. Not overpowering......but instead - powerful.

Some of the most iconic photographs in NHL history come from the black & white era of the 40's and 50's.  They get very little love when it comes to the cardboard form.  But every once in a while a little gem will pop up.  Sometimes when you least expect it.

1992/93 Score

#549 Maurice Richard "The Legend"

I'm sure most of you have seen this photo before.  I'll go so far as to call it iconic.  Maurice Richard had one of the most intense looks ever.  Period.

I would not want to be the goalie he's barreling in on when he's got that type of game face going.  Intimidation to the umpteenth degree.

But while most people might just be mesmerized by Maurice's eyes, there's a lot more to this photo if you take the time to look.

Raise your hand if you started your hockey career with a straight-bladed stick?  Now raise your hand if you had no idea stick blades were at one time straight.  That's right, you could go into a store and just "buy a stick".  You didn't have to look for a left or a right.

I feel old.

If you ever get the chance to try using one - do it.  You'll have a much better appreciation for stickhandling......and you'll probably have a wicked backhand.

Now on to the gloves.  Even though the photo bares no color, I can just imagine the battered beige gloves that are consuming Richard's hands, wrists and forearms.  Monsterous, yet Maurice still found a way to have a goal-scorer's touch.  I wonder if he cut out the palms so that he could get a better grip on the stick (my dad used to do that with his).  And I love the "hot dog wiener" look that the gloves give.  It just reeks of retro.

The sweater.  Man does that just look heavy.  It must have been a sauna wearing that out on the ice.  I love the lack of flash and pizzaz the jersey commands as it just embraces its simplicity.  Just the logo on the front - that's all that mattered.

And while everybody today wears a helmet (and most sport a visor as well), I can't imagine what "The Rocket" would have looked like if he donned a lid.  That photo would look a whole lot different.

Lastly, let's take a look at the background.  I'm pretty confident that this photo was from a staged set-up (or he's a real cocky dude for posing).  I'm assuming the lights are from windows of some sort and I love that the ice surface seems endless.  The black just engulfs everything except Maurice.  He stands alone.

I love the fact that Score took the time to include this pic in their 92/93 release (the Canadian product release).  Blunt and to the point, Maurice Richard truly earned the moniker of "Legend".

I wanted to give credit to the photographer who flashed the bulb and captured this great moment, but I'm having one heck of a time figuring out that puzzle.

My research initially led me to La Presse (Montreal's newspaper...I think that's where it originated) and carried me towards AP (Associated Press) where the photographer is listed as 'anonymous'.  The rights to the photo belong to Bettmann/Corbis/AP Images but I can find nothing with regards to who actually took the photo.

Sadly, it may remain a mystery to me, but this gem will live on forever.

It's that good.

ONE SHEET, ONE SET - 94/95 Premier Finest 'The Go To Guy'

I was flipping through one of my 'One Sheet, One Set' binders tonight and I came across one......... ugly.............. set.

Gotta post about it.

Let me start by saying 1994/95.  Gotcha scared?  How about Topps Premier.  Shakin' in your boots now right?  And an insert set to boot.  This could get nasty.

But the whole reason why I started this project is so I could appreciate the never-ending card design templates out there - both good and bad.  There's always something to take away from every set shown.  Sometimes it's as simple as "Here's not what to do".

1994/95 Topps/OPC Premier Finest

'The Go To Guy'

This 15 card insert set showcases the clutch players in the NHL at the time.  It's a decent checklist of players including Modano, Sakic, Hull, Roenick and......... yes......... Messier (ugh).

Back in the mid-90's these cards were considered higher-end.  Coming in one out of every 36 packs, it seems like a pretty flimsy box hit today, but back then I could see people being a little more excited to pull one of these.

Just a little...... and not for long.

I'll also say that these cards don't scan well.  But that might be a good thing because there won't be too many points scored this round.

Where to start?  Where to start?  How about the photo selection.  All the cards use a full-body shot that often show the player coasting or just looking off into the distance (perhaps admiring a nice crisp pass that they've just fired off).  There are a couple decent photos, but for the most part it's a weak grouping - especially for an insert set.

The background looks like a clear ripoff from the Saved By The Bell intro. Terrible blue colors and shapes and starbursts galore.  It's one set my sister might find appealing (and that's not a good thing).

The font styles and and effects put on the text just reek of a junior Photoshop guy who has tripped into the templates folder.  Just click away and hope for the best.  And let's look at the font styles closely.  One.... two.... three.... four different fonts used on the front of the card.  Absolutely no cohesiveness.  For shame.

The only positive quality about the card front is the foil-type effect placed on it.  It makes the cards look like there some sort of embossing to it - but there's not.  It nice and shiny.....par for the course when it comes to cards from this time period.

I flip the card over and I nearly lose my lunch.  My eyes start to jitter in my skull and the endless questions begin.

Could you use any more font styles on the back?  Twenty-three different types weren't enough?  Yikes!

Everything is just all over the place - and nothing carries over from the front of the card (not that it would have helped).  Random numbers and letters just strewn everywhere.

And so what else does this card back need?  How about a pie chart.  Yippee!  We got one.  And could it be a more vague stat?  Percentage of total teams' offense?  Really?  Do I need an abacus or something to sort this information out?  My sundial says no.

And then to slap a player photo in the mix with little to no authority just wraps this failure of a card with a nice bow.  And look at the black cones in the background.  Do they serve a purpose?  Is this another fancy Photoshop filter?

Pure nastiness.  A set that you should avoid unless you find them in a "Free" box at a garage sale, need to buy your younger sister a special birthday gift or just want a good laugh.

I'm laughing...... for real (only on the inside though).

0.5 out of 5

30 in 30 - Determined To Find These

I've been slowly building a wishlist of documentaries I want to see as part of my '30 in 30' project.  But I've been finding that the tough part isn't finding titles for me to watch (there seem to be a lot of sport docs out there), it's physically finding the documentaries.

I don't have to explain how difficult it would be to try and watch a documentary that I don't have access to.

But with that in mind, I will build a list that (for the most part) I feel confident I can track down copies of.  I will also have a couple of standby titles just in case something falls through.

The newest additions to the list are some that I've had my eye on for a while.

Knuckleball is a new movie that focuses on one of the most rare and unique type of ballplayers ever - the knuckleballer.  I'll admit, I'm a sucker for R.A. Dickey.  I'll root for that guy any day of the week.  Tim Wakefield is also a prominent player in the doc.

Fingers crossed I can track down a copy.

Magic & Bird: A Courtship Of Rivals isn't as new, but any HBO doc I haven't seen is one that goes on the list.  They do solid stuff - period.  Add to that the fact that the mid-80's was a magical time for me and sports and I got to see Johnson and Bird at their best when sports was nothing more in my mind than just a game - pure innocence.

Touching The Void is one I'll have no problem tracking down.  I've seen it at the local library.  This one sits on the line between documentary and action/adventure.  I'm putting it on the list because I want to see how much of that line is blurred.

Check out the trailer and you'll see what I mean.

Next, I'm adding The Curious Case Of Curt Flood to the list.  I was told about this way back when I initially posted about sport documentaries.

Flood basically sacrificed his career to fight for what he thought was right.  Free agency, challenging baseball's reserve clause and standing up for what he believed in - even if very few supported his cause.

Definite must see.

Lastly (fingers crossed) I am putting The Last Gladiators on the list.  Less Slap Shot and more The Wrestler or Requiem For A Heavyweight, this documentary is about the enforcers of the NHL and life after they hang up the skates.  The central character is Chris "Knuckles" Nilan.

One reviewer laid it all out in one sentence,

"This documentary shows the aftermath, the tough guys' denoument, as their lives - and the role they played - dissolve in a unique mixture of regret, shame, pride, self-destruction and nostalgia."

The filmmakers are the same guys that did the Catching Hell doc (highly recommended).

Gotta find Nilan!

Now no peeking ahead of time.  Trailers - yes, the full doc - no.

'30 in 30' - LIST OF MOVIES

1. Hoop Dreams

2. Murderball

3. The Endless Summer

4. Pumping Iron

5. Undefeated

6. Michael Jordan: To The Max

7. Bobby Fischer Against The World

8. Jim Brown: All American

9. Tyson

New additions.....

10. Knuckleball

11. Magic & Bird: A Courtship Of Rivals 

12. Touching The Void

13. The Curious Case Of Curt Flood 

14. The Last Gladiators (gold if I can find this one)

UH-OH........Gorgeous Card Alert

There are times when my quest for new things Linden uncovers gems never before seen.  New innovations, the bar gets raised or never before seen treasures are unleashed.

I saw this beauty pop up on ebay yesterday and it has my brain spinning.

To most, it's nothing more than an ITG Ultimate Memorabilia 11 Superbox card - just as it says.  Nothing fantastic right?  (I mean yes, the card is sweet, but what's so special about it)

Well, let me tell you.  This card is the very first of its kind.  Not just a door opener.....it's a door crasher.

This little chunk of jersey is the culprit.  It signifies the first time ever that a non-Canucks jersey piece has been used for a Linden memorabilia card.

And knowing that ITG has a game-used Trevor Linden Montreal Canadiens jersey at its disposal for upcoming products - makes me excited and scared....all at the same time.

I think the 'lull' is officially over.

LINDEN CARD OF THE WEEK - Hockey Day In Canada

When it comes to my Trevor Linden collection, I like to add all sorts of stuff.  Regular issue cards, promo cards, show cards, oddball stuff - I've even landed some posters, figures and magazines.  While I primarily go after his hockey cards, I do dabble in other pieces of Trevor Linden memorabilia.  Often times it's the initial 'wow factor' that makes me want to pursue it.  Rarity and focus on the player being another.

This item is one that I was excited to see come my way.  Mostly because I didn't even know it existed until it hit my mailbox.

This Scotiabank Hockey Day In Canada photo comes from just this past season.  It's about the size of a Beehive card/photo and was issued out (I believe) to people who attended the HDIC event held in Richmond.

Trevor participated in a floor hockey event there and signed photos for people afterwards.

So I'm wondering why mine wasn't signed?  :)

Again, I had no idea this item existed until a Linden collector, whom I've know for many years, e-mailed me asking if I would be interested in one.  We had been working on a trade/sale for a number of weeks and this was placed into the mix.  He didn't send me a scan at the time so I was really excited to see the item when it arrived in my mailbox last week.

Needless to say it fits really nice into my Linden collection.  I have a number of oversized cards and team issued items that make for a unique component to my overall Linden collection.

Thanks Victor for the help with my collection (not just for this item, but for all the pieces you've helped me add).  I really appreciate it.

CARDBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY - Dominic Roussel

Do any of you recall the time Tiger Woods made that ridiculous putt that seemed to curve forever (at the 2005 Masters)? Remember seeing the Nike logo on his ball.....perfectly timed to show as it was sinking into the hole?


"In your life!" indeed.

I came across a hockey card recently that made me think about that putt. About how unlikely the logo would line up ever so perfectly.  A thousand tries and you couldn't recreate it.

1994/95 Leaf

#223 Dominic Roussel

This picture is definitely a one in a million shot.  Check out the Flyers logo on the puck as it sits propped up on Dominic's glove.

And Roussel's eyes are just piercing it as he remains concentrated (obviously to balance it as long as possible).  In fact, it doesn't even look like he's focused on the puck.....it looks like he's posing for the camera.

Cheeky.

You gotta think that this photo was used solely because of the puck.  It's an otherwise bland photo.

But that puck!  In your life!

It just goes to show that a split second can really make the difference between a regular, everyday photo and a pretty spectacular shot.

'DID YOU KNOW' - An Unlikely 40

This tidbit of info comes from a custom card creator that has been going about building his own collection of Vancouver Canucks cards to be sent through the mail to be signed.

He was showing off some of his newest successes and mentioned a stat that made me do a double-take.  I was intrigued and thus started digging for more information.


If I asked you to name some of the top snipers in Vancouver Canucks history, who comes to mind?

Pavel Bure?  Markus Naslund?  Daniel Sedin?  Tony Tanti?

Trevor Linden?

OK......I know Trev isn't a guy that put the puck in the net that often (although he did pot 30+ goals in 6 different seasons) but Vancouver has never been known as a team that has that uber-scorer.

note: I don't count Bure.  He needed to have more than just 2 good seasons.

Where am I going with this?  Stay with me.

If I were to ask you who the first Canuck to score 40 goals was, would you be able to name him?

Thomas Gradin?  Stan Smyl?  Andre Boudrias?

Wrong.  It's somebody who never would have entered my brain.

Ron Sedlbauer.  He had one fantastic season in 1978/79 where he scored 40 goals for a Canucks team that seemed to be going nowhere.

It must have been those fancy new "V" uniforms that did it.

But that's not the most interesting part of the story.  With Ron's 40-goal season, a new NHL record was set.

DID YOU KNOW: Ron Sedlbauer holds the NHL record for recording the lowest number of assists in a 40-goal season.

Definitely a one-dimensional player, Sedlbauer contributed just 16 assists to his impressive 40-goal output.  I call 'puck hog'.

That record stood as his and his alone until the 2003/04 season.  Can you guess who tied the record?
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The New York Rangers newest saviour......Rick Nash.

This might just go down as the oddest of odd couples when it comes to an NHL record.


Back to Sedlbauer.....I thought I'd give him the spotlight for a couple moments (since he may never pop up again).

Ron was Vancouver's first draft pick (23rd overall) in the 1974 Amateur Draft.  Some guy named Bryan Trottier was picked 22nd.  Not bad company at all.

He was drafted ahead of Hall of Famer Mark Howe, All-Stars Danny Gare, Charlie Simmer, Mike Rogers and Ron Greshner.  He was also picked ahead of two other Canucks greats - Harold Snepsts and Tiger Williams (who was drafted by Toronto and later traded to the Canucks).

Sedlbauer played a total of 430 games in the NHL and tallied 143 goals and 86 assists.  His (then) team record 40-goal season included 15 on the powerplay (also a team record).

His linemates that year?  Chris Oddleifson and Hillard Graves.  Two more guys who will probably never get any more face time on this (or most other) blogs.

What made that 1978/79 season so special?  Who knows.  But it's one that  still holds a place in the NHL record books.

Now you know.