Cards of Steel: Heavy-Metal Pioneers Ready to Rock 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey

To suggest that Panini America's upcoming 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey is cutting-edge stuff would be putting things literally -- and mildly. The sizable list of innovations coming to Panini America's final -- and likely most anticipated -- NHL release probably begins with the monumental inclusion of game-used skate blades, continues with the incorporation of miniature metal Stanley Cup replicas and…

Gallery: Panini America Begins Packing Out 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey

The notoriously torrid Texas summer reared its gnarly teeth on Saturday afternoon with a high temperature of 102 degrees on a day when humidity made it feel like a balmy 105. The crazy part, though? It was even hotter inside the Panini America production facility, where Chris Barr, Matt Davis and Jim Stefano were giving 2013-14 National Treasures Hockey the white-glove treatment…

The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2013-14 Playbook Hockey (117 Sweet Pics)

Thanks to the nimble Tweeting fingers of Panini America Hockey Brand Manager Chris Barr, last week's packout for 2013-14 Playbook Hockey was largely -- pardon the pun -- an open book. Throughout the afternoon last Thursday, Barr took control of the Panini America Twitter account to provide real-time coverage of what he was seeing live from the floor of the…

A Cut Above: Die-Cut Mem Cards Add Pop to 2013-14 Crown Royale Hockey (Gallery)

When Panini America's 2013-14 Crown Royale Hockey releases to anxious hockey collectors across North America on Wednesday, the product's sickest Silhouettes, its scarcest autographs and a celebrity-laden list of signers are likely to steal most of the new-release buzz. But there's another aspect of Crown Royale's kingly inclusions sure to generate its own share of headlines: The return of the…

Must-See Gallery: Panini America Launches Packout for 2012-13 Prime Hockey (Part 1)

The countdown to arguably the most anticipated NHL trading card release of the 2012-13 collecting season is officially underway. The pre-packout quality control check has been completed. The hand-collating is all but done. In the next few days, the cards will begin being delicately placed into their gorgeous blue boxes and shipped to hobby shops across North America. Hockey collectors,…

Panini America Drool Gallery: The Splendid First Look at 2011-12 Dominion Hockey

The furious late-summer days around Panini America HQ are earmarked by many things. Our new-season NFL products already are hitting mid-season stride. Our next season of NBA products will tip off next week with the release of 2012-13 NBA Hoops Basketball. Our MLBPA roster is cranking with the launch of 2012 Triple Play Baseball and the upcoming launch of 2012…