Free Autographs, Special Cards in Upper Deck's All-Star Game Plans
Friday January 16, 2009
As the lone card manufacturer with an NHL license, you would expect Upper Deck to have a significant presence at the NHL All-Star Game - and you'd be right.
The company is presenting the NHL YoungStars Game on Saturday, Jan. 24 and serving as a co-sponsor of the NHL All-Star Trading Card and Memorabilia Show running from Jan. 22 through 24. All of the festivities are taking place in Montreal, where the host Canadiens are celebrating 100 years of hockey.
Fittingly, Upper Deck's wrapper redemption program at the show involves special cards for Canadiens players (like the Carey Price card you see here) mixed in with a few other NHL superstars. Collectors who open a box of current Upper Deck or Fleer hockey product with 24 or more packs at the company booth will receive all nine cards, plus a bonus Canadiens' Commemorative Centennial card.
Also, three NHL rookies will be signing free autographs at the Upper Deck booth on Friday, Jan. 23. Chief among them is Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Visit Upper Deck's site for more information on the company's All-Star Game plans and the NHL's page for information on the Lay's NHL All-Star Jamboree, which includes the Card and Memorabilia Show.
Caps-Pens Rivalry is One of Hobby's Best
Thursday January 15, 2009
Though it may not mean as much in the standings this season with Pittsburgh struggling, last night's game between the Penguins and Capitals was another entertaining chapter in what's become one of the NHL's top rivalries. It's also fairly unique in the hobby in the sense that the teams' star players, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, are the top two players in their sport among collectors.
Rivalries between superstars definitely ignite the passions of hobbyists, and it's hard to think of a similar current situation in any of the other major sports. The closest thing I could think of would be LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in the NBA, but they play each other just twice a season.
The Pens and Caps see each other four times, and can easily collide in the playoffs as well. Add in the fact that Ovechkin doesn't get along with Evgeni Malkin, another player popular with hockey collectors, and you've got the recipe for something that can be special for years to come.
Just something to think about the next time Washington and Pittsburgh get together - which, by the way, will be on March 8.
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Donruss Gets New Super Bowl, Draft Sponsorships
Monday January 12, 2009
Visitors to Super Bowl XLIII and its associated events will be seeing a lot of the Donruss logo.
The Texas-based card manufacturer announced today that it has become the Official Sponsor of the NFL Experience - a fan festival at the Super Bowl that includes a large sports card show. The Donruss logo will be prominent throughout the event, including the show's autograph pavilion.
Even more interesting is the revelation that the terms of the deal will allow Donruss to have access to game-used equipment and items like end zone pylons and ticket stubs from the game itself. Long-time football collectors will recall that these items have traditionally appeared on cards made by Topps in years past.
Finally, the agreement with the NFL also extends to the 2009 Pro Bowl and NFL Draft. While the company said it will release details on this part of the deal in the coming weeks, it did hint that it expects to obtain additional memorabilia from both events and new photo opportunities.
The Donruss football product schedule usually kicks off with Playoff Prestige in May, so it's very possible we'll only have to wait a few months to see the fruits of the agreement begin to show up in packs.
Image courtesy of and copyright Donruss Playoff.
Playoff Contenders Baseball Set to Debut in Late January
Thursday January 8, 2009
Playoff Contenders Football has a well-deserved reputation for helping autographed rookie cards to explode, and it's one of the most eagerly anticipated football products every year. Now Donruss is hoping to catch some of that same excitement and apply it to baseball cards.
Officially announced by the company this week, 2008 Playoff Contenders Baseball will close out the company's baseball release schedule for the season with 100 autographed cards of recent baseball draftees. In addition to 2008 first-rounders Buster Posey and Gordon Beckham and Buster Posey and 2007 first-rounder Rick Porcello, Contenders will feature the first certified signatures from players like Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (pictured here).
"This is something we have kicked-around for years," said Donruss Brand Manager Ben Ecklar in a company press release. "As we expand our baseball offerings and look at what brands translate well in baseball, the timing was right to finally release Contenders in baseball."
Basketball collectors may also want to take note, as the first Playoff Contenders Basketball cards will also be on the checklist. And these aren't just any cards, but autographed Rookie Tickets of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo.
Contenders Baseball will come in five-card packs with a suggested retail price of $6 per pack. It's tentatively scheduled to ship in late January.
Image courtesy of and copyright Donruss Playoff.
