Quality Controlling 2010-11 Donruss Hockey
Hey, remember earlier this week when I brought you that early look at 2010-11 Donruss Hockey? Turns out those were retail quality control cases yielding those sneak peeks. On Wednesday, Panini America Hockey Brand Manager Al Muir and Assistant Brand Manager Clint Hall had the pleasure of quality controlling two hobby cases of the highly anticipated product that releases next…
An Early Look at 2010-11 Donruss Hockey
I'm not bragging or anything, but I had the chance earlier today to bust two early boxes of 2010-11 Donruss Hockey in the name of "quality control." Suffice it to say, I was impressed with what I saw and I'm quite certain you will be, too. Donruss Hockey, which includes hockey's celebrated Fans of the Game premiere, is another old-school-style set (on the heels of…
On the Routing Table Today: Limited, Century Collection, Timeless Treasures
I was high-tailing it down the far corridor toward the Product Development room today when I was stopped in my size-10 tracks by the vibrant, stop-sign-red shade of paperwork perched predominantly atop the infamous "routing table." In particular, these gifted pieces of paper contained the first gorgeous looks I'd seen of some inserts slated for 2010 Century Collection, due out in late December. Based on this early glance, it's…
A Few Quality Minutes with the Phoenix Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson
The Swedish-born Oliver Ekman-Larsson has a name like a law firm but he's way more offensive. The point-minded defenseman, the sixth overall pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, has scored 16 points in 21 career international games. He helped Sweden to bronze-medal finishes in both the 2010 World Junior Championships and World Championships, tallying eight…
Big Plans for the 2010 Toronto Fall Expo
Panini America will be doing its best Felix Potvin impersonation next month . . . by pulling out all the stops in Toronto. Indeed, during the 2010 Toronto Sportcard and Memorabilia Expo (beginning Nov. 12 at the Toronto International Centre), the company aims to dazzle a decided hockey contingent with another of its trademark, show-stopping wrapper redemption programs. (more…)
Pack Time with L.A. Kings Goalie Jonathan Bernier
As the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier is no stranger to being a coveted commodity among collectors. Appearing on a Panini America card, however, is absolutely a new thrill for the 22-year-old Quebec native. On Thursday afternoon, during a stop through Dallas to play the Stars, Bernier got the long-awaited first…
Panini Presents: 2010-11 Score Hockey
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVQGFNlksOc&fs=1&hl=en_US] Panini America's sweater-clad card geeks -- Tracy Hackler and Scott Prusha -- get an early crack at the new 2010-11 Score Hockey. Stay tuned to the end for what just might be a most hair-razing conclusion.
Panini Peek: 2010-11 Crown Royale Hockey
One of the true crowning achievements of the 2010-11 NHL trading card season arrives just after the New Year with the arrival of 2010-11 Crown Royale Hockey. The wickedly innovative, abundantly royal release is unlike anything else on the hockey market today and will deliver one autograph or memorabilia card per pack and a whopping 14 autographs (at least) per case.…
Shoot (Your Idea) . . . And You May Score
When 2010-11 Score Hockey releases to the puck-minded masses tomorrow, it will do so with a 59-card Hot Rookies subset sure to be in huge demand from the opening pack. But there are nine of those Hot Rookies in particular that collectors will find to be in considerably shorter supply than the others. How short exactly? Never you mind. Just know…
Quality Controllng 2010-11 Score Hockey
It's a busy time of year at Panini America headquarters, what with last week's release of 2010-11 Certified Hockey and the release of 2010 Absolute Memorabilia Football less than two weeks ago. Of course, then there's 2010 Crown Royale Football and 2010-11 Score Hockey, both of which are, as I type this, being printed and prepped for release this week. Oh, and 2010-11 Limited Basketball follows up…