Card #1: 1995-96 Upper Deck #136 -- Kirk McLean (Electric Ice parallel)
Acquired: Sportlots
Price: 18 cents
If were to compile a list of my favorite 25 or so hockey cards of all time, this would be on it. I've always really liked Kirk McLean, because he was one of the players who responded to a letter I sent to him asking for an autograph. I still have that card, too, (an old Pro Set all star cards that I probably chose to send because I wouldn't mind losing it in case he didn't respond). There were two or three years were McLean was one of the top goalies in the NHL and part of the core of a young Vancouver Canucks team that also included guys like Pavel Bure, Trevor Linden and Cliff Ronning and came within a goal of winning the 1994 Stanley Cup. And this is one of the best base-card photos you'll ever see. McLean is in the midst of stoning one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time (or is Hull missing the net?) against a bright Busch beer ad backdrop. You can even see the Blues fans halfway out of their seats, in the midst of transitioning from cheer to groan. Hockey cards don't get much better than this.
Card #2: 1990-91 Pro Set #598 -- Ed Belfour (rookie card)
Acquired: Found it in my old collection
Price: Free!
It's sort of hard to believe now, given how low regard early 1990's cards are held -- especially Pro Set cards -- but this a whale card when I was a kid. Everybody wanted a copy when Belfour was tearing up the NHL as a rookie. And even though it's only worth pennies nowadays, I'd argue that it's still a fantastic card -- much better than his 1990-91 Upper Deck rookie. It's a great action shot of Eddie trying to corral a puck midair. And the colors work beautifully, as the red of the borders and Belfour's jersey really pop. In fact, for all it's flaws, I'd argue that 1990-91 Pro Set actually holds up really well over time.
Card #3: 1994-95 Upper Deck SP #87 -- Ron Hextall
Acquired: Zistle trade
Price: Free(ish)
I had stopped collecting by the time this set rolled around so I knew next to nothing about it until seeing a blog post about it over at Shoebox Legends. There appear to be some fantastic shots in set, including this one of my second-favorite player of all time. I can't say for sure, obviously, but this looks to me like it's very late in the game and Hextall is checking the scoreboard during a timeout. The big rack of hockey sticks in the background make the image even more interesting.
Card #4: 1994-1995 Stadium Club #33 -- Patrick Roy
Acquired: Card show quarter box
Price: 25 cents
Stadium Club has such awesome photos.
Card #5: 2012-13 Upper Deck UD Canvas #C63 -- Scott Hartnell
Acquired: COMC
Price: 67 cents
Getting away from goalies -- and the '90's -- here's one from the always-interesting from Upper Deck's always interesting Canvas insert set. It's a fun shot of Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Hartnell soaking in the atmosphere at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game weekend. I'll always enjoy cards where the player is acting like a fan. But what really sets this apart are the background cameos, including Steven Stamkos, Shea Weber and Sean Couturier, who I'd guess was there for the rookie game.
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