Upper Deck Black Diamond has been a set that I've never been quite sure how I've felt about. Over the years, Black Diamond has kept their familiar foil heavy design that you either love or hate - the scanner seems to visually loathe the product.
2012-13 Black Diamond was released 4 years ago this month while the NHL lockout continued to drag on. Therefore, like most of the releases from 2012-13, the only rookies are those who debuted late the previous season and during the playoffs. In a nutshell, the rookie crop was weaker than usual. On the bright side, the slim pickings of notable rookies has severely lowered the cost of the majority of hobby boxes from that year - you can pick up a hobby box of Black Diamond for as low as $50-60.
Despite the lack of top rookies distributed in the product; Black Diamond offers quite a few unique inserts, memorabilia cards and autographs at an affordable price.
I rolled the dice and grabbed a couple of packs for cheap while at the flea market this past weekend.
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| #70 Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins |
Gotta start the pack scans off with 'Super Mario'. I'm going to guess that this photo of Mario was taken during the 2002-03 season as he is wearing the distinct Nike Quest helmet that he helped the company launch that year ('03). Lemieux's Nike contract expired September, 2003.
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| #98 Nathan Gerbe, Buffalo Sabres |
I used to be into Gerbe because of his underdog size. As a vertical challenged person myself, all 5'5" of me, I've always cheered those guys on a little harder.
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| #85 Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers |
A card featuring Ryan Smyth in an Oilers sweater is like sitting at home by the fire, all is calm and all is right.
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| #60 Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche |
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| #41 Dany Heatley, Minnesota Wild |
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| #82 Alex Tanguay, Calgary Flames |
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| #146 Brendan Smith, Detroit Red Wings - 2x Diamond |
You may not be able to distinguish from the scan but this Brendan Smith is actually a Double Diamond short-print.
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| #57 Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars |
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| #ATG-16 Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche, Championship Rings (All Time Greats) |
It was a very nice surprise to pull this sparkly acetate insert featuring Chris Drury of the Colorado Avalanche. At a rate of 1:168 packs, these 'Championship Rings All-Time Greats' fall at an average of 1 per case. A case hit, totally unexpected.
Drury received his Stanley Cup ring in 2001 after helping the Avalanche put-away the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals 4-3.
That Drury is a beauty! Did you know he won the Little League World Series as a kid? I always think of that random fact whenever I hear his name.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree with the above comment. That Drury is fantastic. He also won the Hobey Baker award and was the Calder Trophy recipient as rookie of the year. Makes me feel old as I watched his LLWS game live (1989).
DeleteI did not know that! Thanks for the little factoid there buddy.
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