CANOE 2002 Games - It's in the cards for Team Canada

Friday, February 1, 2002

It's in the cards for Team Canada

By STEPHEN LAROCHE -- SLAM! Collectibles
As members of the Canadian Olympic team prepare for their international rivals, collectors of sports memorabilia are looking to capture some sort of souvenir to make a connection with their hockey heroes.

Whether it's pins, pucks or jerseys, there's one type of sports collectible which remains a huge part of Canadian culture - the venerable hockey card.

There are literally hundreds of cards out there for most members of the Canadian squad. Only a scant few are rookie cards, which is usually defined as a player's first appearance in an NHL-licensed set. These cards are often quite valuable and highly sought after by collectors.

The prices quoted in this article are taken from the February, 2002 issue of Canadian Sports Collector and are meant to be used as a guide. It should be noted that these prices may differ from those which dealers of sports cards and collectibles place on their products.

Ed Belfour

A hobby sensation 10 years ago, Belfour's cards have cooled down dramatically despite his solid career stats and a Stanley Cup win in 1998-99. If any hockey card collector doesn't have one, now is as good a time as any to pick one up. The most valuable Belfour rookie is the Upper Deck version, currently in the $4.00 price range.

Rookie Cards: 1990-91 Bowman #7, Pro Set #598, Score Rookie and Traded #103T, Upper Deck #55

Martin Brodeur

Brodeur has been a hobby favourite for several years, and his rookie card from the 1990-91 Score sets has been popular and retained its value despite the fact that there a lot of them out there. Sure, you can say that about any player who first appeared on cardboard in the early '90s, but Brodeur is one of those guys that people love to collect. The card in question lists for $8.00 and it should be a solid investment for any collector over time. Brodeur is the youngest goalie to get 300 wins in his career.

Rookie Card: 1990-91 Score #439

Curtis Joseph

Joseph's rookie cards are plentiful, but don't let that scare you. Team Canada's likely starter has a huge following in card collecting circles, and demand for any of his cards is always high. His rookie cards are generally affordable, with most of them ranging from $1.25 to $3.00. The best investment is from the O-Pee-Chee Premier set, currently listing for $12.00.

Rookie Cards: 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee/Topps #171, Premier #51, Pro Set #638, Score #151, Upper Deck #175

Rob Blake

Last season's most sought-after defenceman before the trade deadline has never received much hobby respect. Blake's rookie cards can be found at prices as low as $0.50 and go up to $5.00 for the O-Pee-Chee Premier version. Consider his rookie cards a steal at these prices if he manages to win another Norris Trophy.

Rookie Cards: 1990-91 Bowman #142, Premier #6, Pro Set #611, Score #421. Upper Deck #45

Eric Brewer

Brewer's lone rookie card features him in Team Canada colours and has three parallel versions, including a Quadruple Diamond variation limited to a mere 50 cards. The single Diamond version normally sells around $3.50 and has some potential for growth.

Rookie Card: 1997-98 Black Diamond #90

Adam Foote

For a defenceman of Foote's calibre, his rookie cards are undervalued. Often found in commons bins, they range from $0.25 to $1.00. While buying a bunch of Foote rookies isn't going to make you rich, it's an affordable proposition to any collector who wants to get a look at him when he was starting his career.

Rookie Cards: 1991-92 Parkhurst #371, Pinnacle #337, Pro Set Platinum #268, Upper Deck #529

Ed Jovanovski

The top pick in the 1994 draft has developed into one of the best and toughest young players in the NHL. Jovanovski had several rookie cards during the 1994-95 season and they range in price from $1.50 to $4.00.

Rookie Cards: 1994-95 Finest #149, Parkhurst #SE207, Pinnacle #524, SP #140, Upper Deck #496

Al MacInnis

Despite his potent slapshot and offensive ability, Al MacInnis has never been huge with most hockey card collectors. This is indeed a shame, as his career numbers are absolutely stellar. His rookie card is only available in the 85-86 O-Pee-Chee set and is valued at $35.00.

Rookie Card: 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #237

Scott Niedermayer

It's hard to believe that it's been a little over a decade since Scott Niedermayer made his NHL debut. Niedermayer has only one rookie card and it is in the 1990-91 Upper Deck set. There is an english version valued at $1.50 and a more difficult-to-find french version worth approximately $2.25.

Rookie Card: 1990-91 Upper Deck #461

Chris Pronger

The 1999-2000 Hart Trophy recipient had an injury-riddled season last year, but he's been putting up some very respectable numbers so far this year. It should be interesting to see how he does in Salt Lake after going pointless in Nagano. Pronger's only rookie card can be found in the 1992-93 Upper Deck set. It is valued at $6.00.

Rookie Card: 1992-93 Upper Deck #591

Theoren Fleury

There's a ton of controversy right now as to whether Fleury deserves to be a part of Team Canada this time around. However, the diminutive Rangers forward has put up some solid numbers despite his behaviour on the ice. Fleury has never set the collectibles market on its ear, but his rookie card, only available in the 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee set, is valued at a respectable $9.00.

Rookie Card: 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #232

Simon Gagne

The youngest player on Team Canada is also a rising hobby star. Over the past two years, Gagne's rookie card has received a great deal of attention from collectors. It is presently valued at $15.00 and should show some growth as long as his game keeps improving.

Rookie Card: 1997-98 Upper Deck #411

Jarome Iginla

One of the real surprises of this season for hockey fans, collectors jumped on the Iggy bandwagon and his rookie cards have become a tough find at card stores. The SP version is one of the hobby's hottest pieces of cardboard, and it lists at $10.00. Just try to find one, though.

Rookie Cards: 1994-95 Parkhurst #SE260, Select #165, SP #181

Paul Kariya

Kariya's rookie card isn't even his first appearance in a major set, but collectors love it. The 1992-93 Upper Deck high-number series features rookie cards of some of the brightest stars in hockey but Kariya's card stands above all else at $22.00.

Rookie Card: 1992-93 Upper Deck #586

Mario Lemieux

The Magnificent One has been embraced by collectors for years, but his first card has gone up and down in price like a yo-yo. After a Hall of Fame induction, two Stanley Cups and an amazing comeback, Lemieux's O-Pee-Chee rookie card is valued at $400.00 and the Topps version lists for $200.00.

Rookie Card: 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee/Topps #9

Eric Lindros

Cards of Lindros hit the shelves just as the hobby was beginning to explode in 1990. Everybody and their dog had to get on the bandwagon and grab a piece of the now-Rangers forward before he was even drafted. His rookie card from the 1990-91 Score set trades for around $12.00, a far cry from what speculators were dreaming of a decade ago.

Rookie Card: 1990-91 Score #440

Joe Nieuwendyk

Nieuwendyk just seems to be one of those guys who go virtually unnoticed in hobby circles despite his accomplishments on the ice. Just consider the numbers: two Stanley Cups, 489 career goals and 458 assists for 947 points! He's still got a lot of time left,folks. Be careful when picking up a copy of Nieuwendyk's rookie card, though, as it was counterfeited in the early '90s. A legitimate version of the card will run you about $12.00 and it really is a bargain.

Rookie Cards: 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee/Topps #16

Owen Nolan

The top pick in the 1990 draft is another guy who doesn't get much respect in the hobby. After a disappointing rookie year, Nolan developed into a star. Most of Nolan's rookie cards can be found for around a dollar. The O-Pee-Chee Premier card is a solid buy at $5.00.

Rookie Cards: 1990-91 Premier #86, Pro Set #401, Score #435, Upper Deck #352

Michael Peca

After sitting out last season over a contract dispute Michael Peca has really turned it on for the surprising New York Islanders. A gold medalist in the 1994 World Juniors, Peca is one of the NHL's top defensive forwards. However, his rookie cards have gone somewhat unnoticed in the process. Pick them up around $2.00 and you should be pleased with what you get.

Rookie Cards:1993-94 Pinnacle #478, Upper Deck #542

Joe Sakic

Last season's MVP is rebounding nicely from a slow start and should turn it up a notch in Salt Lake. A definite Hall of Famer, you won't go wrong with picking up the Topps version of his rookie card ($22.00) as it was produced in much smaller quantities than its O-Pee-Chee counterpart ($12.00).

Rookie Cards:1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #113, Topps #113

Brendan Shanahan

The pride of Mimico, Ontario, Brendan Shanahan is heading into his second Olympiad. As he broke past the 1,000 point plateau, collector interest in his cards hasn't really picked up as much as it probably should. His rookie card remains a solid investment at $55.00 for the O-Pee-Chee version.

Rookie Cards: 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee #122, Topps #122

Ryan Smyth

Smyth had an unlucky break earlier in the year when he suffered a broken ankle during a game. Since his return a month ago, he has shown that he hasn't lost a step. Smyth was part of the 1995 World Junior squad and appeared on a ton of cards that year. The Topps Finest card is getting tougher to find and is a great investment at $8.00.

Rookie Cards:1994-95 Finest #165, Pinnacle #535, SP #142, Upper Deck #443

Steve Yzerman

As Stevie Y goes under the knife for knee surgery, his spot on Team Canada could be in jeopardy. One of the most popular players in the hobby, Yzerman's cards are actively sought after. His O-Pee-Chee rookie card lists for $135.00 while the more common Topps version weighs in at $30.00.

Rookie Cards:1984-85 O-Pee-Chee #67, Topps #49