Puck Junk Hockey Podcast

In this episode, Sal Barry and Tim Parish reflect on the 1985-86 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets, which were released 40 years ago. They discuss the best rookie cards, the worst airbrushed cards, and other interesting facts about those iconic sets. Plus, a look at the new Youngblood movie coming out this week, the Chicago Sports Spectacular, and an easy way to buy sports cards. It's 132 minutes of hockey goodness – with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/03/05/podcast-242/

Sal, Tim, and Clemente recap the 2026 Winter Olympic Hockey Tournament - where both the U.S. Men's team and the U.S. Women's team beat Canada to win the gold medal. Other topics include more Topps Now Olympic hockey cards and a look at the Young Guns checklist for 2025-26 Upper Deck Series 2. It's two hours of hockey goodness - with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/02/24/podcast-241/

In this episode, Sal and Clemente talk about the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments thus far at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Plus, Topps Now issues a hockey card, Topps Chrome Olympic Hopefuls sets features numerous hockey players, and PSA raises its prices - again! It's 102 minutes of hockey goodness - with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/02/18/podcast-240/

This week, Sal and Tim take a long look at the new 2025-26 Allure Hockey Card set. Plus, they talk about Artemi Panarin getting traded to the L.A. Kings, and why Macklin Celebrini signed some cards as "Chester." It's 115 minutes of hockey goodness - with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/02/11/podcast-239/

Sal and Tim have a long discussion about the upcoming 2026 Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament, which will be the first Olympics since 2014 to feature the NHL's top players. The guys talk about the rosters for all 12 teams, the groups, and some of their favorite memories from past Olympic hockey tournaments. It's 113 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/02/04/podcast-238/

In the first episode of 2026, Sal and Tim talk about the 2025-26 MVP Hockey Card set, which was recently released on Upper Deck e-Pack. The guys also talk about the passing of Hockey Hall of Fame members Glenn Hall and Bob Pulford, and Patrick Kane scoring his 500th goal. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2026/01/13/podcast-237/

In the last episode for 2025, the guys take a long look back at the 1995 hockey/action film “Sudden Death.” The movie came out 30 years ago this month and is about Jean-Claude Van Damme trying to stop terrorists from blowing up Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. “Sudden Death” featured a few ex-Penguins players and even team mascot Iceburgh got in on the action. Other topics in this episode are the new 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One Holiday Edition cards and the FTC investigating the sale of Beckett to PSA. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/12/23/podcast-236/

In this episode, the guys talk about PSA Grading buying Beckett, and how this gives its parent company, Collectors, a monopoly on card grading. Other topics include Quinn Hughes getting graded to Minnesota, should the NHL have more color vs. color jersey games, and trouble with Italy's Olympic ice hockey rink. It's 127 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/12/18/podcast-235/

Sal, Tim, and Clemente do six short "setrospectives" about oddball hockey sets from the 1980s. One of these sets came packaged with food, while another set was literally packaging. And one of these sets was even sold in Spain. It's 114 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite part. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/12/10/podcast-234/

Sal, Tim, and Clemente give their review of the 2025-26 Upper Deck Series One hockey card set - what's great about it, what could be better, and which Young Guns are worth looking out for. Plus, a deep dive into the recent shill bidding controversies that have been the talk of the card collecting hobby. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/12/03/podcast-233/

Sal, Tim, and Clemente discuss the recent hubbub about Check Out My Cards, which appears to be in financial trouble. Will the company fold or be sold - or is COMC really doing just fine? The guys also look at the new trading card pricing feature on the eBay mobile app, and why card pricing apps should be scared. Plus, a recap of the recent Chicago Sports Spectacular and more. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/11/26/podcast-232/

Sal, Tim and Clemente look back at the 2015-16 Upper Deck Hockey set that was released a decade ago - and how both Connor McDavid's Young Guns card and the start of the e-Pack platform changed hockey collecting forever. Plus, game-worn jersey collector Sean Sullivan gives his recap of the recent Toronto Sport Card Expo and last weekend's Chicago Game Worn Jersey Expo. The YouTube version of the podcast features photos and video. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/11/19/podcast-231/

Sal, Tim, and Clemente give their review of the 2024-25 PWHL hockey card set. Plus, a discussion about the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees, the recent statement by the President of Upper Deck, and Alex Ovechkin reaching 900 goals. It's 120 minutes of hockey goodness - with chapters, so you can skip to your favorite parts. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/11/12/podcast-230/

Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi take a long look back at the 1975-76 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets, which were released 50 years ago. They discuss the best cards, top rookies - there's not many! - and worst "paint jobs" the sets have. Plus, a look ahead at two major card conventions and an upcoming game-worn hockey jersey expo. It's 95 minutes of hockey goodness. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/11/05/podcast-229/

Sal Barry and Clemente Lisi look at the new 2025-26 Artifacts Hockey Cards and discuss the pros and cons of this impossible-to-complete set. Plus, Topps starts making hockey cards again, the Chantilly Show might need a new home, and our big questions for the 2025-26 NHL season. It's 133 minutes of hockey goodness. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/10/08/podcast-228/

Sal Barry and Tim Parish have a long talk about the 1980-81 Topps and O-Pee-Chee hockey card sets, discussing the best rookies, notable cards, and other interesting tidbits you didn't know that you needed to know! And why does Sal still hate the 1980-81 Topps set so much? Plus, a look at the lives and careers of Bernie Parent, Ed Giacomin, and Bob Goodenow. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/09/24/podcast-227/

A discussion on the life and career of all-time goaltending great Ken Dryden, who sadly passed away on September 5. Sal, Tim, and Clemente talk about Dryden's many accomplishments on and off the ice, as well as some of his most-memorable hockey cards. Plus, a review of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Ice hockey card set, and Clemente's recap of the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. It's 108 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of this podcast features pictures of the cards and photos from the Rookie Showcase. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/09/10/podcast-226/

Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a fond look back at the 1988-89 Topps and O-Pee-Chee Hockey card sets, known for its use of bright colors, drop shadows, and pushpins. They discuss why you should have both of these iconic sets - as well as a few related cards - in your collection. Other topics include a Georges Vezina rookie card topping $100K, the Red Wings retiring Sergei Fedorov's number, and ECHL expansion. It's 121 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of this podcast features pictures of the cards we talk about during the episode. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/08/26/podcast-225/

Sal Barry and Tim Parish talk all about the new 2024-25 Parkhurst Champions Hockey Card set. Yes, the design looks great - but is it a set worth building? And what's the deal with the "Retro Pack?" Plus, discussions about Team USA winning the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament, eBay's changes to its platform, and the NHL Network's "Quarter Century Team" - and who they snubbed. It's 107 minutes of hockey goodness, now with chapters so you can skip to your favorite part. The YouTube version of this episode features video and pictures, too. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/08/20/podcast-224/

Sal Barry and Tim Parish take a long look back at the 1991-92 Topps Stadium Club Hockey set. It was the first Stadium Club hockey set, as well as one of the first premium sets of hockey trading cards. The guys talk about some of the best and worst cards from that set, as well as related cards worth collecting. Its 111 minutes of hockey goodness. The YouTube version of the podcast features pictures of the cards we talk about during the episode. Show Notes and Links https://puckjunk.com/2025/08/12/podcast-223/