In the beginning...
Like most collectors, my obsession started out when I was a young boy collecting trading cards of all kinds. I can still recall getting off the school bus and my father surprising my brother and me with packs of 1995 Topps football cards, in hopes of hitting the prized "Florida Hotbed" inserts. Little did I know that those $0.99 packs of cards would snowball into a hobby that would create (and continue creating) a lifetime of memories.
As the years have gone on, my shoe box-kept trading cards that included all major sports would start to focus on one thing...hockey. Growing up, I idolized a particular group of friends, who just so happened to be a fresh product of the Lemieux era. Whether I loved the sport at the time, or the idea that if I played hockey, I would be just like them, is unknown, and in fact a moot debate at this point. Regardless, my dormant passion began to rapidly grow for the sport at about the age of 14. I was absolutely hooked. Everything that involved the game of hockey, I was on it, including my continuation of collecting.
Over the years my collection became focused on insert cards, then autographed cards, then jersey cards, then patch cards, then autographed, jersey, insert, patch cards...you get the idea. Sooner or later, the market began to get a bit saturated and the excitement for cards was no longer there. Let's face it, when you watch one of your best friends pull a Lady Byng cut auto at the National Sports Card Convention, is there really anywhere left to go in the hobby?
As the interest in the card collecting hobby regressed, my mind (as with all great minds) began to wander...and a brilliant thought hit me one day.."If I can get a PIECE of a jersey on a card...I wonder if it is possible to get the ENTIRE JERSEY?"...And so the monster was created.
Hours after performing an exhaustive internet search in 2008 (while shoving my college homework aside) I stumbled across PittsburghHockey.Net; The site that one of the founding father's of the hobby, Mr. Joe Tomon, used as a gateway to the buying and selling world for game-used hockey jerseys. Weeks later, I made my first purchase...a game-used #26 Maxime Talbot jersey...in fact, the first home Penguins jersey that Max ever wore in the NHL.
Since that late night in 2008, not only have I obtained some sentimental pieces, I have met some of the nicest human beings to ever walk the earth. The sport of hockey and the hobby itself have given me memories that I will never forget. When people ask me "how much was that?"...then shortly after ask me "Are you crazy?"...I usually reply with..."Toronto has the Hockey Hall of Fame...but I have a mini Hall of Fame in my house." My passion for the game is unlike any other, and anything that can get me closer to the game is well worth it to me.
In closing, I hope that the greatest sport on earth can give you as much satisfaction, camaraderie and entertainment as it has given me throughout my life thus far...and in addition to the "Thank You" for visiting my site, I simply leave you prospective collectors with one fare warning...this hobby will suck you in and won't let go...ENJOY IT! :)
It's always a pleasure meeting fellow collectors and those interested in my collection and the hobby itself. Feel free to contact me with any comments and/or questions at [email protected]
***It shall be known that this website is intended to depict my personal collection and is not associated with the NHL or Pittsburgh Penguins***