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Paul Henderson and Vladislav Tretiak will sign autographs this Tuesday Jul. 27 at A.J. Sports World in Vaughan, ON. The duo were stars of the 1972 Summit Series when Canada defeated the Soviet Union in the final minute of the competition. Henderson scored the series winning goal against Tretiak, one of the most memorable moments in Canadian sport history.

Henderson autographs start at $40, with a signed Team Canada jersey costing $300. Tretiak autographs also start at $40, with a signed Soviet Union (CCCP) jersey costing $300. A dual-signed 8×10 photo or puck costs $80 while a dual-signed 16×20 photo costs $130.

Both Henderson and Tretiak will be in store at 7pm. For more information, contact A.J. Sports World at 905.265.7700.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Seventh Annual MeiGray Game-Worn Jersey Expo takes place this Sat. Jul. 17 at the Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch, NJ. The show will be an absolute treat for hockey fans and game-worn jersey collectors. The show, which runs 9am-4pm, is situated near the corners of Route 28 and Lamington Road, just a few minutes away from the MeiGray Group offices.

Of note, the MeiGray Group will be celebrating its new partnership with USA Hockey. Featured exhibits include the Hockey Hall of Fame and the WHA Hockey Hall of Fame. Collectors can also check out the Third Annual MeiGray Tent Sale as well as MeiGray and MeiGray Vintage Exhibits. Featured guest is former New Jersey Devils’ defenceman Ken Daneyko (12-2pm).

Registration is just $25. Registration fee gets you admission to the Expo, a free blank NHL jersey, and a MeiGray Group Tour.

Popularity: 5% [?]

The Upper Deck Company has released 2009-10 Ultimate Collection hockey. The high-end release is UDC’s third-last of the 2009-10 hockey season, with O-Pee-Chee Premier (Aug. 10) and The Cup (Aug. 24) still to come. This is Ultimate Collection’s sixth season in the hockey card market.

“This is one eye-popping release,” said Josh Zusman, Upper Deck’s hockey brand manager. “We just experienced one of the most-watched NHL playoffs ever with some of the best hockey battles in recent years. This set captures many of the thrills from this season, as well as salutes some of hockey’s all-time greatest players. This is a must-have product for any serious hockey collector.”

Highlights the Upper Deck Company, “the piece de résistance for rookie collectors will no doubt be the 42-player insert entitled “Autographed Ultimate Rookies NHL Shield Variations,” which are numbered to just one apiece. A second 1-of-1 insert entitled “Ultimate Signature Logos” will also cause quite a frenzy amongst collectors.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Upper Deck Company will once again host the National Hockey League Entry Draft’s hockey card show this Jun. 25-26. This year’s show takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The show is held in conjunction with the NHL Entry Draft, which commences with the first round selections on Friday night (7pm on TSN in Canada and Versus in USA).

“We’re very excited to be a part of the NHL Entry Draft event this weekend,” said Jodi Wasserman, Upper Deck’s senior manager for Marketing and Events. “We’ve got plenty of kid-friendly activities planned at the Upper Deck booth and, of course, we’ll have redemption card sets available featuring current and retired Kings’ greats as well as other NHL superstars.”

For the show, UDC has produced two six-card redemption packs. The first pack features active stars: three Kings (Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar) and three former first-overall picks (John Tavares, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin). The second pack features former stars: three Kings (Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille and a so-called “mystery player”) and three other stars (Steve Yzerman, Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux).

Signing autographs on Saturday morning will be Kings’ captain Dustin Brown. He will be at the UDC booth from 11-12 noon on Saturday morning. Brown will only be signing custom oversize Upper Deck cards (no other items).

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Beyond the signing session and redemption card sets, UDC will also have its highly popular Personalized Trading Card (P-Card) station up for fans seeking to obtain their very own trading card, compliments of Upper Deck. The Upper Deck booth will be set up on the concourse level of the Staples Center, outside sections 101 to 104. Upper Deck also invites kids ages 13 and under to show off their shooting skills and win cool prizes by participating in the “Lucky Shot” game, which will be part of the Upper Deck booth.

In addition, UDC will have several rare cards on display, along with many of Upper Deck Authenticated’s newly unveiled NHL Curve(tm) Displays, which showcase either an autographed or commemorative hockey puck positioned alongside a team or player photo. In fact, UDA will be selling many NHL Curve(tm) Display variations at the NHL Entry Draft – all at special show pricing – including releases for the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, and other top NHL stars.

And last but certainly not least, the winner of Upper Deck’s NHL Entry Draft Runner contest, 12-year-old Zeke Estrada of Anaheim, will be on hand both days of the event assisting one NHL team (still to be determined) in its quest to find the NHL’s next superstar in the making.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Washington Capitals’ forward Alex Ovechkin has once again been named the National Hockey League’s most outstanding player. The Russian forward won his third-straight NHLPA award, becoming the first player since Wayne Gretzky to win the title three consecutive times.

Ovechkin is in fact the first winner of the new Ted Lindsay award, albeit the award dates back to 1970-71 when it was originally introduced as the Lester B. Pearson Award. The award celebrates the NHL’s Most Outstanding Player, as voted by members of the NHLPA. Twenty-two different players won the Pearson Award from 1970-71 to 2008-09. Before Ovechkin, only Gretzky (1981-82 to 1984-85) and Guy Lafleur (1975-76 to 1977-78) won the award in three successive seasons.

Also on Wednesday night at the NHL Awards Banquet, Henrik Sedin won the Hart Trophy (most valuable player), Martin St-Louis won the Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship and skill), Ryan Miller won the Vézina Trophy (top goaltender), Tyler Myers won the Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie), Duncan Keith won the Norris Trophy (top defenceman), José Théodore won the Masterton Trophy (perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication), Dave Tippett won the Jack Adams Trophy (top coach), Pavel Datsyuk won the Selke Trophy (top defensive forward), and Ryan Miller won the King Clancy Trophy (leadership on and off the ice).

Other 2009-10 NHL award winners were Jonathan Toews for the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff’s most valuable player), Henrik Sedin for the Art Ross Trophy (most points), Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos for the Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals), Jeff Schultz for the Plus-Minus Award, Martin Brodeur for the Jennings Trophy (team goals-against average), Tuukka Rask for the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (save percentage).

Popularity: 7% [?]

A hockey collector has paid more than $1-million for Paul Henderson’s 1972 Hockey Canada jersey that was worn during the Summit Series in Canada and the Soviet Union. The final bid was an incredible $1,067,538 U.S. before the buyer’s premium.

It is the highest recorded price for a game-worn hockey jersey sold in a public auction. By contrast, a Bobby Orr 1967-68 Boston Bruins jersey sold for $152,897 in a 2006 Leland’s auction (more than $200,000 Canadian with the exchange rate at the time). Also by contrast in terms of game-worn jerseys from the Summit Series, a Phil Esposito 1972 Canada game-worn jersey sold for $42,796 in a 2005 Classic Collectibles auction.

In the Classic Collectibles auction (which closed Jun. 22), the jersey was the lone item in a category entitled “The Jersey”. In all, there were close to 900 different lots in the auction. The Henderson jersey description explained, “offered here is the actual Team Canada uniform Henderson was wearing for the four games played in Russia. (It is the jersey worn) when he scored the goal that would forever be his most shining sporting achievement.

“This striking heavy knit sweater features a stylistic maple leaf rising up from the waist in red. The number”19″ is sewn onto the back beneath the word “CANADA” in red, single-layer tackle twill. The manufacturer’s black and gold “Tricot Sport Maska” tag is stitched into the collar beside remnants of another tag, long since removed. This one, worn by Henderson, has been altered to his specifications. The cuffs have been cut short and the inside layer of red material beneath the white Maple Leaf has been trimmed out to make the jersey lighter.”

The Henderson jersey drew 42 bids before it finally closed at over $1-million.

As an addendum, Classic explained that “Paul Henderson had the opportunity to don the iconic #19 sweater for the first time in nearly 40 years on Monday Jun. 7. He has personally confirmed the authenticity of the jersey, which he gave as a gift to Team Canada trainer Joe Sgro following the 1972 Summit Series. A new letter of authenticity and provenance signed by Paul Henderson will accompany the sale of the jersey. Please note that our consignor has pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the jersey to a charity of Paul Henderson’s choice.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

The Vancouver Canucks will celebrate its 40th anniversary this 2010-11 season with year-long plans to honour the team’s history in the National Hockey League. The new season kicks off this Oct. 9 against the Los Angeles Kings, the same team the Canucks faced back in 1970-71 for the franchise’s inaugural game.

Throughout the season, there will be a series of “signature nights” to mark the anniversary. These nights will “engage and encourage fan participation and salute the loyal and passionate Canucks fans.”

“This season promises to be very special for our fans and our organization,” said Mike Gillis, Canucks President and General Manager. “We have a number of exciting initiatives planned and we look forward to sharing these experiences with Canucks fans all season long.”

Plans for the upcoming season and details regarding the Canucks’ “signature nights” will be unveiled on Jul. 7 at the club’s annual Canucks Summer Summit.

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Upper Deck company has announced that 12-year old Ezekiel Estrada of Anaheim has been selected as the grand prize winner in the company’s recent “NHL Entry Draft Runner” essay contest. “Zeke” Estrada will help UDC on Jun. 25 and Jun. 26 at the Staples Center for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, CA.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” said Estrada. “I’ve been playing hockey for seven years and collecting hockey cards for at least that long, but this was something I never expected would happen to me. I just want to thank Upper Deck for this great chance to get so close to the new draftees.”

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The promotion was conducted over the past three weeks across 10 participating Los Angeles-area hobby shops where shop owners solicited written entries from eligible customers between the ages of 10 and 14 who purchased a box of 2009-10 Upper Deck NHL hockey cards. The rules were simple: submit a one-paragraph explanation to the shop owner describing why he or she should be selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as Upper Deck’s NHL Entry Draft Runner at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Several dozen written entries were passed along to Upper Deck headquarters by the deadline of Monday, June 14, and after an internal committee of staffers read each of the submissions, Zeke Estrada was named the lucky winner. A competitive center currently playing for the Anaheim Junior Ducks in the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association’s Pee-Wee Double-A division, Estrada was ecstatic to hear the news.

The son of George and Patty Estrada, Zeke stands 5′ 3″ tall and weighs 123 pounds. He names current Montreal Canadiens’ center Scott Gomez, the first Latino player ever drafted (1998) by an NHL team, as his favorite player and is eager to take part in the NHL’s annual event later this month. His duties will include serving as an official Draft Entry Runner for one NHL team while player evaluations and selections are made. “I’m very serious about one day hopefully playing in the NHL, so this is a dream come true for me,” he said.

Estrada submitted his winning entry through the OC Dugout hobby shop in Anaheim. His entry included this convincing portion: “I can be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; the chance to be so close to the players that have dedicated and worked so hard for the sport I love. It will be an honor to give something back, be a part of history and share in the joy of the ultimate dream come true.”

“Zeke’s been a loyal customer of ours since we opened back in March of last year,” said OC Dugout owner Brian Nicalek. “I’m very excited that his entry was selected as the best overall. He’s a good kid and he deserves it.”

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Upper Deck Company has released this year’s edition of SP Authentic hockey, the latest release ever for this popular brand. Card collectors have had to wait, but will now be treated to what is always one of the most popular collection of rookie cards from any given hockey season.

“We’re very proud of this year’s SP Authentic release,” said Josh Zusman, Upper Deck’s hockey brand manager. “We had a terrific 2009-10 campaign and a rookie class that rivaled some of the greatest to ever enter the NHL. This product includes the biggest names in hockey, past and present, and the autographed inserts will keep collectors cracking packs for months.”

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Incredible only begins to describe the number of autographed cards in SP Authentic Hockey. The multi-tiered “Sign of the Times” insert kicks things off with a single-signed version that has a tremendous heritage. The Sign of the Times lineup then parlays to “Duals,” some of which are Mystery Redemptions; “Trios” (numbered to 25); “Quads” (numbered to 10); and the super-rare “Fives,” “Sixes,” “Sevens” and “Eights.” The “Autographed Future Watch” rookies are numbered to 999, while the special “Prestigious Pairings” collection – sporting combos like Joe Thornton/Dany Heatley, Vincent Lecavalier/Steven Stamkos and Jarome Iginla/Eric Staal – are all numbered to 100.

If autographed cards drive your collection, then SP Authentic’s highly coveted autographed “Future Watch Patch” inserts (numbered to 100) of top rookies like Tavares, Duchene, van Riemsdyk, Hedman and Kane will really start to rev your engines. Likewise, the “Rookie Review” autographed patch cards, also numbered to 100, will pack plenty of excitement for collectors seeking coveted superstar patch cards. In a tribute to the past, SP Authentic also boasts a rare lineup of 20 “Immortal Inks” autographed cards (each numbered to 10) that include such standouts as Bobby Orr, Bobby Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille, Phil Esposito, Don Cherry, Tony Esposito, Cam Neely, Mark Messier, Patrick Roy and Wayne Gretzky.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The new Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys go on sale this week, starting Tuesday Jun. 15 at the Real Sports Apparel store at 15 York Street in downtown Toronto. The first 150 people to purchase the new jersey will get his autograph signed by new Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain, Dion Phaneuf.

The Maple Leafs unveiled the new look jerseys in early June when they announced Dion Phaneuf as the team’s newest captain. Phaneuf is the 22nd captain in franchise history, the first since Mats Sundin left in 2008.

Popularity: 7% [?]