You knew it was coming... ITG steps up, BIG time!

Since I live on the other side of the collecting world, well, North of it anyways.... I, like a lot of you, will not be at The National this week. I know. Shocking. I actually have to keep working and can't take off for a week of fun in the sun. Oh wait. It's in Baltimore. Never mind.....

As a result of that, and the fact that I'm not a 14 year old girl glued to the "social media" phenomenon, I have to rely on good old fashioned email to get my news.

Stephen Laroche, Brand Manager for In The Game, my favourite card manufacturer, sent out an email to several card bloggers recapping their big news announcement from that morning at The National.

ITG will now produce baseball cards. They will be patterned after their immensely successful Heroes and Prospects Hockey issue. But that's where the similarity will end.

While the hockey version has a great 100 card base set for us set collectors, the baseball version will be just the hits ma'am. Just the hits.
Each box will contain 4 cards. All hits. None of this one serial numbered base card crap that other manufacturers pull. All four cards will be autos, or game used.

Here's what you may find inside....
J-Hey!!!! Oh yeah! I got to get me one of these!

Between the Seams....

Now here's where it gets tricky.... the odds of you pulling a prospect auto is 3.5:1, meaning every other box will only have three prospect autos.... the fourth card will either be a prospect game used, OR.... a Heroes cut auto.... maybe like these...

Hammerin' Hank. It's not even out yet, and I can't afford it....

Now that's how to do cut autos....

No other word as yet on the rest of the checklist.... look for that info here, or go direct to ITG's website at www.itgtradingcards.com

And thanks to Mr Laroche for sending this info out via email to a few of us card bloggers...

Insider Interview - ITG President Dr Brian Price

I approached In The Game President, Dr Brian Price, about an interview. He graciously accepted.
For sake of clarity, my questions and comments are in white, his answers are in green.

From a collector's standpoint, 1972 The Year In Hockey was a huge success. Please give us your perspective on it, how it came to be, the difficulties and successes of putting together a set featuring players from 37 years ago.

Over a year ago we initiated a vote amongst collectors to determine what they thought was the most important year in hockey history. Although the voting was close, 1972 narrowly edged out 1980.
1972 was not only the first year of the WHA but also the year of the Summit Series between Canada and Russia.
Based on that vote, we created the product.
The challenges were enormous. Finding the players and negotiating contracts with them was very time consuming. Finding usable images was also a challenge.
It is not easy coming up with new ideas and executing them but that’s what I enjoy the most. The collector in me always comes out.

ITG's next product release is Heroes and Prospects. This year you've included a chase redemption program unlike past years. What excites you about this? Why the change now?

In The Game is always looking to make our products more exciting and more valuable. By creating this Redemption Program, I think we have accomplished both. Collectors can collect the non-memorabilia insert set, Class of 2010 and ten lucky collectors can redeem their cards for extremely limited game-used memorabilia cards of first round draft choices.
It’s not really a change for us. We have had special programs in our products before, this particular non-memorabilia insert set gave us the opportunity to do it again. We hope collectors enjoy it.
What excites me about it is that collectors will trade these cards based on their projections for the 2010 draft. They might be right, they might be wrong, that’s the beauty of this program. Who will go first, who will go second? One never knows. One thing for the sure the cards out of ten that are available to those with the correct draft number will be valuable.

The new release of Between The Pipes is coming... Can you share anything from it yet? Anything new, or maybe exciting new additions to the checklist?

Right now the product is in the formative stages. We always try and put together the best checklist we can and this year will be no different.
We will be doing the Masked Men II insert set featuring some of the greatest goalies who have donned a goalie mask. This year we are planning to increase the size of the Masked Men checklist.
We have some new insert ideas featuring large pieces of memorabilia based on last year’s success.
If you liked last year’s product, you’ll love this year’s.

ITG is often thought of as an industry leader within the hobby with regards to Game Used and Autographed cards. Can you tell us a bit about the process in obtaining these pieces from both current players, and also the retired greats.

Securing authentic memorabilia is a 24/7/365 process. There is no store from which you can acquire authentic memorabilia, especially vintage memorabilia when you need it. So the process takes place at all time. We are known in the industry as reliable buyers of memorabilia so we are contacted often.
If we want a piece, we don’t fool around. We negotiate the price fairly and once the piece is authenticated, we buy it for the agreed price and pay for it immediately. Sellers know this and for these reasons we are often contacted first with vintage pieces.
In addition, as a collector, I often buy pieces for my collection and if ITG needs them at a later date for a project, they move across.

Where do you see In The Game in two years? Do you have plans on expanding your release calendar? More or larger sets?

That’s a great question, I am not sure I have the answer.
I know where I would like In The Game to be. I would like to have our NHLPA/NHL licenses back again. I don’t want an exclusive, as an exclusive in my opinion is not good for the hobby. Manufacturers need competition to make the best products and give the best service possible. Without competition, they become complacent and uncaring.
We have spoken to both the NHL and the NHLPA so stay tuned.

Do you or do you have someone on staff read the sportscard blogs? How do you feel they affect the hobby, if at all?

I try to read as many different forums as I can but they are discouraging. A lot of collectors don’t realize the obstacles one has in manufacturing a hockey card product. They are quick to criticize almost everything.

This last question saddened me. It made me stop and think about blogging in general. Are we that negative? I suppose so. Dr Price also specified "forums". I don't really read any forums. A little too much immaturity for my tastes. But everyone is entitled to their say.

I guess I never really thought about it like that before.

Do you think the blogs are too negative?

Anyways, as always, a big Thank You to Dr Brian Price for taking the time. I'm sure he's grateful to go through an interview and not be asked about Vezina's pads....

Do yourselves a favour, check out ITG's website, and try a pack or two of their product if you haven't already. Find out what all the fuss is about.

You asked for it...

by voting in the poll over on the sidebar, In The Game's 1972 The Year In Hockey.
This box cost me $85. 18 packs per box, 9* cards per pack. (only the packs with a "hit" have 9 cards, the others have a decoy card that can be used as points towards a redemption)
The set consists of 200 cards, no SP's! Along with a few insert sets.
First up, the base cards. Now we all know that ITG does not have the ability to produce licensed NHL hockey cards. So you will not see logos etc... but as usual, they do an outstanding job.

and for my special group of followers that worship all that is facial hair, I give you your Holy Grail. Mr. Cowboy Bill Flett.

awesome.

The NHL stars take up the first 100 cards including a checklist. For the next 50 cards, we are treated with some of the stars of the brand new WHA. (World Hockey Association)

Mr. Gilles Gratton, who once told his coach that he couldn't play that night because the moon was descending in the wrong house as Mercury was rising.... true story.

but Gratton is best known for his time with the Rangers and giving us this beauty...

The rest of the base set is divided up amongst the biggest hockey story of that particular year. Maybe all time. Canada vs. USSR. (please go here after finishing here, it's an amazing site) It changed hockey forever. Of course Canada was at a disadvantage with the NHL not allowing them to choose players from the new WHA.

The greatest goalie to never play in the NHL.

Each game (there were eight) gets a mini write up on it's own card.

Now as for inserts, I found several.... the first being one that I must admit I do not like. I just cannot understand the fascination with these, even as an obsessive compulsive player collector, I do not go for these...

Blank backs. I found two, They both look like this;

incredible, aren't they?

Next up, one of the best insert sets of the year.

Masked Men. I only found two in my box, but some boxes didn't get any.....

For those of you who remember Bernie Parent and his stark, white mask while playing for the Flyers....

this is from his days with the Blazers in the WHA.

I didn't get any cards in the Coaches inserts, but I did get this one in a trade.

Now the hits you've all been waiting for... each box will deliver you three ON CARD autos. Yeah. ITG does it right.

and one game used card. Now the game used could be from one of different levels of scarcity. The one I found was of the most common variety.

Although they are not individually numbered, according to the ITG website, there were between 70-90 of these produced. Not bad for the most common, eh?

All in all a great box to bust. I spent more time reading the cards than I care to admit.

For the first time, I believe ever, ITG has delivered a product where a set cannot be completed out of one box. I'm torn on this. As a set collector, I need to complete this set. But at $85 a box (at least, I've seen it a lot higher) this isn't realistic. But there's always trading, right?

I'll give it a 9/10 (dropping down to 18 packs from the normal 24, and the blank backs... otherwise this is a 10)

In The Game box break review

Now that blogger is actually working and letting me upload images, it's time to finish off part two of my last post. If you haven't read it yet, scroll down quick and read it first. then pop back up here.
I received quite a few responses from my question of what makes a good box break. I was surprised to hear most of you say you're looking for sets. Maybe set builders are the only ones who take time out to comment. Possible. Anyways, on with the break, and then I'll have another question for you.

2007/08 In The Game O Canada Hockey!
If you've read my blog enough, you know that In The Game is a Canadian company that produces unlicensed hockey cards. So think, Upper Deck baseball. But better quality. And fresh, original (for the most part) ideas. So maybe don't think Upper Deck baseball.
This set consists of 100 base cards, no SP's!!! and out of every three boxes, one box will have 2 autos and 1 patch, one box will have 1 auto and 2 patches, and one box will have 1 auto and 1 patch. You can guess which box I got... *sigh*

But enough lamenting the odds. The set consists of players who have played for Team Canada at various "amateur" tournaments. Like every four years, if you know what I mean. If I type the "O" word, I'll have to pay a royalty. And if In The Game ain't paying it, neither am I.

First up, the Youngin's
21 cards of the Under 18 team. Great to see some of the future stars on card in full Team Canada colours.

Next, 20 cards featuring the ladies of Canadian hockey. Ms. Goyette seen here is a friend of mine. She used to work for me back in the day.... really nice, funny accent, always wanting time off to travel to Nagano and Sweden and Lake Placid. Not very becoming of an employee, but we worked through it.

21 cards of the World Juniors. You readers down south who don't follow hockey much will be able to identify these guys anytime by looking for the gold medal around their necks at Christmas time.

17 Graduates of the Canadian program. You might recognize some of their names, like this fellow...

10 dual cards. Just for fun.

And 10 cards of the top players from other countries. These are the ones with silver medals around their necks.

For you younger readers, this guy was the best goalie to never play in the NHL. Maybe the best goalie. Period.

All in all I got a complete 100 card set out of my box, with 19 duplicates. If any of you want/need them, they're yours. Speak Up.

Now onto the hits. From my last post, I gave you a sneak peek at what I got. An auto and a beautiful 4 colour game used patch.

Here they are...

Cassie Campbell. Arguably the best female defenceman ever to suit up for Canada, or any country for that matter. She wore the "C" for Canada, and now works for the CBC on their Hockey Night in Canada telecasts.

And the patch? One of only 20...

Vicky Sunohara please go to her website and give a quick read over her biography. 15 Gold Medals kids. They don't give those out in cereal boxes, although she was on one once.

Okay, so if you've stayed with me this far, we'll now get to the second part of my question. Would you be happy with this box now, knowing the checklist. With possible autos from Ovechkin, Sakic, Brodeur, Kurri, Yzerman, Jagr etc... and patches from all the same... would you be happy with this?

I, personally, am thrilled. Even knowing I could've got a Carey Price patch, or a Joe Thornton auto, I am thrilled with who I got, and the quality of said cards.

In The Game does game used right. Look at their checklists. No card over 100, most out of 20. I couldn't be happier.

What about you? Would you consider this a disappointment now that you know who the hits are?

And by the way, if you like hockey cards, or are thinking about starting, check out ITG. This box was $30. Seriously. Here's another ITG product review I did....

EDIT: It has been pointed out that I did not give Ms Campbells website its' due. LINK Very impressive.

now that's service!

Most of you read a post I did last week on a box break of '08/09 In the Game Between The Pipes. If not, go here. In that break, I found that I was missing five base cards from the box. I sent an email to ITG the next day, and I posted about it here.

Today, 8 days later, (included in that time, Easter Weekend) a package arrived today from ITG.
Inside were two very well wrapped packs of '08/09 Between the Pipes.
Sweet! Now that's customer service!

Of course, my luck being what it is, I did not get any of the cards I need to complete my set. All 8 cards were duplicates. *sigh*
But at least I have cards to trade now. Anybody else collecting this set?
Bueller?

A big thanks to In The Game and Dr Brian Price for their excellent customer service.

update...

If you haven't yet read my post on In The Game's 08/09 release of Between the Pipes, scroll down and read that first.
Back? Good.
I contacted In the Game's customer service department this morning about the five packs with only three cards in them.
Within 45 minutes, I received an email from Dr. Brian Price, head of In the Game. He of course apologized, explained the process of packing, and promised to send out some replacement base cards right away.
Very nice. Prompt, personal service. No waiting. No sending in the boxtop, 24 wrappers, and a DNA sample while chanting a french hockey mantra all while standing on my left foot.
Not at all like some other card companies. Not mentioning any names (Topps)

Thanks to In The Game.

Cardshow bounty - ITG box break

I mentioned that at the cardshow I picked up two boxes. This is the first. A 2008/09 In the Game Between The Pipes. I've wanted to grab one of these since they came out. At $110, I overpaid a little, but you know how it is. With no baseball to be had, I needed to come home with something.
I'll try and keep this to the facts, but I have to say, I love this set. Love it! So to be fair, I'll start with something disappointing. The only downside to the box break in fact. Can you read on the box top there? About how many cards per pack? See the little asterisk? No? Well how about on the wrapper?

Can you see the little asterisk better? Well, if you flip the pack over, and peel back the flap, and look for the fine print, you'll see this...

You'll have to click on the image to actually be able to read the fine print. Or use the Hubble telescope if it's not busy.... It says that there are actually only 4 cards per pack. Plus this:

A decoy card. Yes. This counts as a card. But it is worth one point towards a jersey card redemption from ITG. Only 249 more cards, and I get a free jersey card. (that's a little over 10 boxes worth....)

Well, no big deal, right? They do tell you on the pack. Why am I whining? Well, if this little subterfuge wasn't enough, in five of the packs, I only got three cards (plus the decoy). I got jobbed out of five cards. To a set builder like me, that's no good.

Okay. Enough nit-picking over the details. Let's look at the base set. It's divided up into four main parts. The first part is for the "Future Stars" These are the guys who are just now making a rookie impact, or are getting ready to be drafted this year.

The first 60 cards are like this...

Team Canada Gold Medalist Hero Dustin Tokarski

Future Leafs savior Justin Pogge

and probable 2009 NHL Rookie of the Year Steve Mason.

The next section is devoted to the current stars of the game. This is the smallest part of the set.
As it should be. Only twelve goalies make up this part.

Maybe a little early to be putting Price in this part.......

That's better.....

Here's where the set gets great. The first 60 cards were for the rookie collectors and prospectors. Then came the names everyone knows. Now comes the next two sections. First, Greats of the game. 19 of 'em.

I love these guys......

Gump didn't wear a mask... that goose egg on his forehead is from a puck. And he's still smiling!

Jacques was the first to ever put on a mask during a game. Sacre Bleu!

Rogie! Look at that picture. That picture describes hockey in the '70's. Awesome.

The last part consists of 9 goalies who joined up and played with the rival WHA league. When the WHA folded, Quebec, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Hartford joined the NHL. (or I guess you should now say, Colorado, Phoenix, Edmonton, and Carolina)

Gary's nickname was "Suitcase". Gary switched teams a lot....

These complete the 100 card set. In the box that I opened, I got five hits. This seems to be indicitive of this product.

The first was a Silver version of the Masked Men insert.

Then came the autos....

Al Montoya got called up to play his first game the day before I bought this. April 1st. In his first game, he won, and got a shut out. No foolin'.

Auto #2 was Kurtis Mucha

Kurtis is hoping to be drafted this year after a really good season in Portland.

The jersey card I pulled was a "Prospect Combo"

Leland Irving is a top prospect for Calgary, and the swatch is from his time playing for Team Canada.

The last pull? If you're a Leafs fan (I'm looking at you Tricia) then this is the card for you.

An auto/emblem #'d to /9 of the Leafs main netminder Vesa Toskala. Pretty sweet pull. Even if I do hate the Leafs.

I'll give the box break an 8.5/10. The whole missing card thing pulled it down. But as a set, it's beautiful. Great cards, nice checklist, and I love reading the info on the backs.

That's what a card set should be.