Collector’s Corner for May 29, 2025

[Editor’s note: Welcome to “Collector’s Corner” now hosted by Chris Weir. Chris approached me about restarting CC, vowing to uphold the old look and style, but with one new twist: he will make each edition timely with what is going on currently in the sports world (i.e. rivalry games, big events, anniversary of events). Enjoy! — PH]

Collector’s Corner
by Chris Weir

I’m not sure which is more perplexing: the AFC not winning a single Super Bowl between 1983 and 1997 or the Stanley Cup not being hoisted by a team north of the border in 31 years? This year the Edmonton Oilers are looking to be Canada’s version of the Denver Broncos as they’ve taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Dallas Stars.

When this is posted on Thursday the Carolina Hurricanes’ season might be over so I’ll concentrate on Hartford Whalers gear because who knows when I’ll be able to post about the Whalers again?

• Wayne Gretzky Skates were on the market way before Nike gave us the Air Jordan. I’ve tried to ice skate once in my life so I’ll have to plead ignorance here but was it common for players to get their own skates and does it still happen?

• Wayne Gretzky had his eye on L.A. way back in ’84 as he wore a Dodgers Jersey for his fan club’s photo shoot.

• Is Orange and Blue the best color combo? Don’t know if I’m on an island here but I’d argue a team’s color combo is more important than its name and logo.

• When you win the Stanley Cup four out of five years you better make a Commemorative Mini Goalie Stick.

• Like with the Whalers I’m going to lean towards the North Stars.

• I can’t think of a better way to Sharpen a pencil.

• I’d like to think a chapter of the Stargazers Fan Club still holds meetings.

• When the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999 they gave season ticket holders these nice Mementos.

• I love the Whalers logo more than anyone else but this Hat might be overdoing it a bit.

• Shout out to Fan Dome for making a Whalers Snow Globe that still holds up today.

• Not one but two Whalers Painter’s Hats?

• It’s not Starter brand but this Chalkline Whalers Jacket is perfection.

• The Carolina Hurricanes are a Bunch of Jerks when they wear Whalers uniforms in Raleigh. The Whalers and the Brass Bonanza belong in Hartford.

• Florida Panthers fans embrace of Rats is a pretty cool Tradition.

• $278 is a pretty steep price for a hat but then again this Hat is pretty awesome.

• The Robopenguin is a bonus on this Poster from the Florida Panther’s first game.

• Wayne Huizenga was a co-owner of Blockbuster and the original Florida Panthers owner so of course there was some Cross Promotion.

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