A big hit in The Cup!

Mike came in last week and bought a box of 2006-07 Fleer Hot Prospects. It bore a serial number ending in "66".

Just to get people a little geeked up, I make a habit of looking at the last two numbers of the serial numbers on the boxes, and then mentioning a corresponding player. "Hey, it can't be Lemieux," I said, "but it could be Staal or Malkin, right?"

Well, Mike came in tonight and reported he had indeed pulled out a Jordan Staal patch auto.



Our attention turned to the two tins of The Cup sitting on the shelf.

A "98" ... and a "99".

That was it -- Mike was sold, and he opened his tin in the back of the store right before close. He did get a Gretzky base card, but both of us were just a little happier with his pull in the middle of his pack.



Look more closely -- Mike's son Liam has good reason to look a little shocked.

Here, I'll help with the optics:





That's right -- the dual NHL Shield 1/1 card of Toronto Maple Leafs Darcy Tucker and Michael Peca! AMAZING!!

Congrats to Mike and Liam, and we'll let you know right here if he decides to sell it!

Photos from the Vezina Show!

Thanks to everyone who came by Shoppers World in Brampton for the Vezina Winners Show in Brampton! I know I'm a little late in getting these photos up, but hope you enjoy!



Tony Esposito is not only a friendly guy, but one of the snappiest dressers in the sports world!



Johnny Bower is always a big hit with the fans. He also said he approved the art work for his new McFarlane figurine due out in December, just in time for Christmas -- and The IceBox will have plenty of them!



Ed Giacomin chats with a big fan -- see more below! Giacomin was extremely personable and looks like he could hop back in goal right now (we hear Phoenix could be interested!)



This young lady had a Rangers jersey with "FAN" and "1" on the back, and said she had worn it several times to Madison Square Garden. Ed was so impressed he invited her around the table and we had to shoot pictures! If our Rangers fan will contact me through the web site or this blog, we'll get you copies of this photo!



Denis DeJordy was a big hit with fans. Here he signs a beautiful 16x20 piece for one of our best customers.



Not only did Charlie Hodge draw well, but he also was a real trooper at the end of his signing time! We had several people show up right at 1 p.m., but Charlie stuck it out and signed for everyone -- even a couple people who had to catch him having lunch!



Finally, Bernie Parent is always a favourite of ours and the fans too! Bernie signed, told stories and generally kept us all entertained through the afternoon. I understand he even made it out of the parking lot safely, even with Glenn giving the directions!

Thanks again to everyone who came out, and watch the web site for more big signings coming up in the near future! We also have plenty of signed photos and pucks left for sale, along with our gorgeous 11x14 Vezina Winners prints signed by all six goalies and limited to 100!

Crosby Future Watch RC hit!

Paul just came back in to pick up a few things and reported he nailed a Sidney Crosby Future Watch autographed rookie out of his box of 2006-07 SP Authentic he purchased a couple weeks ago! We just keep hitting the Penguins stuff!

We'll have a photo of his pull up soon -- no trading, though, it's going out for grading!

Oh, the wrong box (but the right one for a customer!)

I was feeling lucky Saturday, so I cracked a box of 2006-07 Upper Deck Series I. I didn't get anything too exciting, but it's hard to complain with the quality of rookies available in the set.

Our part-timer, Colin, however, called on Sunday to tell me that another lucky customer bought the other Series I box and pulled the Crosby checklist High Glossy! Congrats to our mystery customer!

In other news, we had three big strikes in a row out of 2006-07 Fleer Hot Prospects:

Box 1) Jordan Staal two-colour patch auto RC out of 199!
Box 2) Hotagraph pack with a Sidney Crosby auto!
Box 3) Phil Kessel redemption patch auto RC out of 199!

With a guaranteed auto patch RC in every boxes, plus 2-3 jerseys and the chance of a five-auto pack, these boxes are becoming more popular by the day! Swing by and grab one -- or a case!