Rookie Update - Victor Hedman

Victor Hedman is a beast of a man.

Drafted 2nd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and standing 6'6 and 230 lbs., the Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman is playing almost 24 minutes each game at the age of 18. Although still in search of his first NHL goal, Hedman is doing it where it counts, in his own end. Not only that, but his play has helped the Lightning go from the second-worst team in the league last year to respectability.



With no goals and 5 assists in 20 games, Hedman may not be inspring greatness in the offensive zone. What collectors need to remember is that this is only the beginning. The fact that he leads all rookies in ice-time and is second on his own team in ice-time above all-stars Vincent LeCavalier and Martin St. Louis speaks volumes. Now that he's starting to get comfortable in the NHL, just imagine what will happen when he starts to dominate.

Victor Hedman's Young Guns rookie card was released last week in 2009-10 Upper Deck Series One and a new rookie card will be released in about 10 days with the arrival of 2009-10 UD MVP. Both products are available from Canada Card World.

Sunday Fun-Day Fun-Facts

Did you know?

During a spring cleaning event in the 1960's, Topp's Brooklyn headquarters hired a garbage boat. Loaded with 300 to 500 cases of 1952 high-series cards, the tugboat pulled from the New Jersey shore and dumped them into the Atlantic Ocean. The cards included Mickey Mantle's first Topps card, the most valuable baseball card in the modern era. No one knew at the time but in today's market, a pack of 1952 Topps baseball cards would sell in the $5,000 range.



Now isn't that just a little worse than your mother tossing out your old cards from the closet.

Rookie Update - Jonas Gustavsson

It has been a memorable start to the NHL season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, it's been memorable for all of the wrong reasons. A record of 3 wins, 11 losses, and 6 overtime losses technically means a record of 3 wins and 17 losses. One of the worst starts in team history.

Besides the steady play of Phil Kessel, there has been little for Maple Leaf fans to cheer for. One of those few bright spots is rookie goaltender Jonas 'The Monster' Gustavsson. Although his numbers don't inspire greatness, this rookie NHLer has recorded all three of Toronto's wins while the team's #1 goaltender Vesa Toskala is still winless and in danger of losing his status.



While Gustavsson has yet to have an official Upper Deck rookie card other than redemptions, the Fall Sports Card Expo revealed a stunning autographed card #/25 which twenty-five lucky collectors received at the Upper Deck redemption booth.

Jonas Gustavsson should appear soon in the yet-to-be-released checklist for UD MVP 2009-10 which will be available from Canada Card World.

Rookie Update - John Tavares

It was inevitable. John Tavares has started ripping it up! He's showing the skill which made him the most talked about prospect since Sidney Crosby. If you don't remember his skill level, watch this goal:



With 4 goals and 8 points in his last 5 games, Tavares has captured the rookie goal and point scoring lead.

Not only has his scoring been on the rise, so have his card values. A recent eBay transaction netted one seller $340 for a 2009-10 Upper Deck Black RC Auto/Letter/Patch Redemption. Even his recently released Upper Deck Series One Young Guns are selling for anywhere from $80 to $120. This should be a great season for those lucky enough to pull a few Tavares cards from their hockey card packs.

2009-10 Upper Deck Series One and many other brands are available from Canada Card World.

Upcoming Hobby Box Release Dates

Below is an updated list of all major releases from all major sports for the next few months. All release dates are subject to change. Please feel free to comment if you have any new information and we will make the necessary changes.

Hockey

09/10 Topps Attax - November 18th, 2009
09/10 Upper Deck MVP - December 1st, 2009
09/10 Upper Deck Black Diamond - December 15th, 2009
09/10 Upper Deck Trilogy - December 30th, 2009
09/10 Upper Deck Collectors Choice - January 5th, 2010
09/10 Upper Deck SPx - January 14th, 2010
09/10 Upper Deck SP Game-Used - January 28th, 2010
09/10 Upper Deck Series 2 - February 9th, 2010

09/10 Upper Deck Ice - February 24th, 2010
09/10 Upper Deck Champs - March 10th, 2010

Baseball

2009 Topps World Series Champion Team Set - Nov. 18th, 2009
2009 Topps Heritage High Number - November 18th, 2009
2009 Topps T-206 - November 25th, 2009
2009 Topps Unique - December 4th, 2009
2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - December 9th, 2009
2009 Bowman Sterling - December 30th, 2009
2009 Topps Sterling - January 6th, 2010

2009 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection - January 26th, 2010
2010 Topps Series I - January 27th, 2010
2010 Upper Deck Series I - February 3rd, 2010

Football

2009 Upper Deck Black - November 24th, 2009
2009 Topps Triple Threads - November 25th, 2009
2009 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection - December 8th, 2009
2009 Panini Rookies & Stars Longevity - Dec. 9th, 2009
2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic - January 5th, 2010
2009 Playoff Contenders - January 6th, 2010
2009 Topps National Chicle - January 10th, 2010

2009 Panini Playoff National Treasures - January 27th, 2010
2009 Topps Platinum - February 3rd, 2010

Basketball

2009/10 Panini Rookies & Stars - November 18th, 2009

2009/10 Panini Elite - November 16th, 2009
2009/10 Panini Threads - December 16th, 2009
2009/10 Panini Limited - January 6th, 2010
2009/10 Panini Contenders - January 20th, 2010
2009/10 Upper Deck Greats of the Game - March 3rd, 2010

Upper Deck NHL 09-10 Series One - Quality Control Issues

As first reported at the Fall Sports Card Expo, there have been some scattered issues with roller marking down the middle of the Young Guns hockey cards specifically. This would have been caused during the manufacturing process and when examined under a light, some Young Guns have a slight but noticeable indent.

What is Upper Deck's stance on this? Will they replace them?

Upper Deck understands that this is an issue and they are prepared to replace them. Those lucky enough to attend the Expo in Toronto were able to exchange their cards directly at the Upper Deck booth. For those not in attendance, the Upper Deck Customer Service Department is your next best option. If you were one of the unfortunate collectors who had the slight indentation problem and wish a replacement, please email them at Customer_Service@upperdeck.com and they can send out your replacements.

2009-10 Upper Deck NHL 'Biography of a Season'

The image of Sidney Crosby lifting the Stanley Cup last June to become the youngest captain in NHL history to win the award begins Upper Deck’s 2009-10 NHL “Biography of a Season” set. The extremely popular wrapper redemption program starts later in November and chronicles the greatest NHL moments during the year. Every week, collectors who visit their local hobby store locations will receive a free card whenever they buy 2009-10 Upper Deck NHL cards. There will be one of 30 cards available each week throughout the NHL season.



Cards will ship out over the next two weeks throughout the U.S.A and Canada. The “Biography of a Season” set is extremely unique as it is based upon what happens throughout the NHL season. The set begins the Pittsburgh Penguins hoisting the Stanley Cup and the first overall selection of John Tavares in the 2009 NHL Draft. As new events occur this season in the NHL, collectors can capture those moments with Upper Deck’s “Biography of a Season” set.



Please contact Canada Card World if you are missing any 2008-09 Biography of a Season cards and we will try to help you complete your set.