Like I said in a previous post, I am super excited to be working with Budweiser on this campaign because not only do you get a really cool hockey collectible, but you get a chance to win a trip with you and three friends to a Stanley Cup Final game. 

Have a look at the interview below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUSgAztAIOs

For all the details on the Bud’s Keys to Cup Campaign visit Budweiser Canada’s Facebook Page or the Budweiser Canada website .

Having collected hockey memorabilia for over twenty years, I always like to see promotions and contests that are tied into the NHL and hockey that don’t cost anything but are really fun to collect.  Bud nailed this one.  It is super easy to enter.  Just pick up a case of beer and grab your free mini Stanley Cup.  Inside you will find a USB key that unlocks exclusive content from the team as well as enters you in a draw to see a Stanley Cup Final Game with three friends.  It is all connected to Budweiser Canada’s Facebook page. 

Fans can collect all 19 mini Cups, each representing a team which has actually won a Stanley Cup in the past.  By plugging the USB into your computer, it will open up some really fun and interesting content from the Bud Facebook App including stats, history, and some cool stuff like Facebook profile pic creators.  It’s really cool and super addictive.

I am working with Bud on this campaign because I am super excited anytime a company can marry technology with hockey collectibles (and beer is a super bonus).  I will be doing interviews covering hockey collectibles and the Keys to The Cup Campaign over the next few weeks.  I will post coverage as it rolls out.

Look for exciting details on how to win an entire set of Cups in an upcoming post on HockeyDen.

For all the details on the Bud’s Keys to Cup Campaign visit Budweiser Canada’s Facebook Page or the Budweiser Canada website .

I have met Steven Stamkos before and I could not imagine a better spokesperson.  He is young, super talented, and a real down to earth guy.  Garnier Fructis realized this and tapped him to be the front man for their latest campaign.  It will include television, magazines, online, and an in-store component.  I saw the contest in the latest issue of the Hockey News and had to investigate further. 

I think there are two unique details about this contest.

1.  There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
2.  You dont only get a chance to meet Steven Stamkos but you get to have a two hour lunch with him. 

To enter the contest head over to http://www.cbc.ca/contest/stamkos/ before Sunday July 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm and enter all your information.  You must be a Canadian resident and you are only allowed one entry per person, per email address, and per household.

There are also 5 secondary prizes consisting of Autographed Steven Stamkos jerseys, so it is an amazing contest.

Have a look below at the prizes below and enter today!!

Grand Prize

There is one (1) Grand Prize available to be won, consisting of a trip for four (4) to Tampa Bay, Florida USA to meet Steve Stamkos and attend a hockey game in Tampa Bay, Florida USA as determined by the Contest Sponsors.

The trip includes:

- Roundtrip (airport to airport) airfare (economy class) from the international airport closest to the winner’s residence.

- Two (2) nights hotel accommodation (double occupancy rooms)

- Four (4) Tickets to a Hockey Game in Tampa Bay, Florida USA.

- Lunch with Steve Stamkos (not to exceed 2 hours in length)

- 4 Signed Steve Stamkos jerseys

- $75 cdn per diem, per person, per day of travel

The Grand Prize package is for the winning person and three (3) friends of his/her choice.

Approximate Total Value of Grand Prize is: $10,000

Secondary Prizes:

There are five (5) Secondary Prizes available to be won, consisting of a Steve Stamkos autographed authentic hockey jersey.

Approximate Total Value of Secondary Prize is: $750

As you walk up and down the aisles of the show you will see some amazing pieces of hockey history and speak to a wide variety of hobbyists and collectors.  Jerseys, sticks, cards, and some really odd pieces make this event so unique. 

As I flipped through the latest Memorabila Expo catalogue that arrived a few days ago I came across an article that I wrote for The Want List Magazine that gives an overview of what you can expect to find at the show.  Have a look below at the article and more details about the show.

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Here is the complete list of players on hand to sign autographs:

April 29 
Brad Park
Jocelyn Guevremont
Rod Seiling

April 30 
Bobby Hull
Yvan Cournoyer
Johnny Bower
Fern Flaman
Norm Ullman
Harry Howell

May 1
Mark Messier
Chris Chelios

The event also holds a soft spot in my heart because it provided me with the opportunity to meet my favorite player of all time, Pavel Bure.  It was such an honour to meet him and I walked away with an amazing piece that I hang proudly on my wall (autographed game used jersey).

Upper Deck, ITG, and Panini have not released details on their redemption programs as of yet, but they should come soon. 

For more details and redemption information, please visit the Expo website at http://www.sportcardexpo.com/.

Earlier this year I sustained a mild concussion and up until the past month or so I  have been battling the symptoms.  I would love to say that I was fighting off a check on a break away when I sustained the injury, but it happened off the ice.  I did however play a game shortly after, which probably did not help the issue.  See for me, I did not realize the extent of the injury  at the time so carried on with my everyday normal life.  It wasn’t until the symptoms came on like dizziness, headaches, and nausea that I realize there was something very wrong.  After a few tests and a trip to the local emergency room, I found out that I indeed sustained a mild concussion.  This got me thinking about Sidney Crosby, Marc Sarvard, and all the other players fighting these career ending injuries. 

Now obviosuly this is a hot topic and one that has been discussed in great length but looking around the league and seeing star players out of commission, I realize that the league is not reacting quickly enough.  Will Sidney Crosby ever be the same?  Perhaps he will be back next year as strong as ever, but what happens if he sustains another hit to the head?  It is the responsibility of the NHL to protect the product that is on the ice.  Now I totally get that hockey is a physical sport.  I had thirty-two stitches in my chin over the course of my hockey “career”, but I do not fill stands and sell tickets and merchandise. 

Instituting a new protocol for players that sustain blows to the head during a game are great but what about following the Ontario Hockey League and completely banning hits to the head? 

Have a look at the list below at some of the players that could still be playing and think about names like Crosby and Savard being added to the list.  Not so nice is it? 

• Eric Lindros
• Matthew Barnaby
• Keith Primeau
• Jason Botterill
• Steve Moore
• Scott Stevens
• Jesse Wallin
• Steve Dubinsky
• Mark Moore
• Stu Grimson
• Adam Deadmarsh
• Gino Odjick
• Mike Richter
• Cam Stewart
• Brad Werenka
• Paul Comrie
• Kevin Kaminski
• Petr Svoboda
• Jeff Beukeboom
• Geoff Courtnall
• Warren Luhning
• Jeff Kealty
• Robin Bawa
• Trevor Halverson
• Pat LaFontaine
• Jim Johnson
• Steven Rice
• Kaj Linna
• Jay More
• Dean Chynoweth
• Dennis Vaske
• Nick Kypreos
• Brett Lindros

Steve Dangle caught the attention of fans and media with his amazing YouTube videos about hockey.  That attention gained him an internship with Leafs TV and job with Nike covering hockey events like The World Juniors, The World Junior Development Camp, and The Olympics in Vancouver.  He is currently working for Leafs TV where he makes videos, edits highlights, updates the news ticker, and does camera work. 

If you haven’t seen what he does (or has done) visit his website at http://www.stevedangle.com or take a look at him in action below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUgamX1WlWA

Justin Fisher is the Co-Host of The Steve Dangle Show and Blogger for SteveDangle.com.  He is also the Music Director at Fusion Radio.

So what do members have to look forward to on Wednesday January 24, 2010?  Two amazing Group Breaks featuring high end products like The Cup, Premier, Black, Limited, and Trilogy.  That’s not all!!  CloutsnChara have some amazing giveaways planned to commemorate this big event. 

Check out all the details below. 

Very High End Mixed Group Break (CUP, Premier, Black, Limited, and more):

http://www.cloutsnchara.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=25967

Sealed case of 08-09 Trilogy:

http://www.cloutsnchara.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=25964

These Group Breaks fill up very fast and with Steve and Justin joining the mix, you should grab your spot today so you don’t miss out!!

The festivities kick off at 9:00 PM EST  on the  CloutsnChara BlogTV Channel. 

If you are not a member of CloutsnChara, sign up today on the CloutsnChara website at www.cloutsnchara.com because they have the most amazing Group Breaks and forums on the Internet!!

Team Orr, coached by Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark will face off against Team Red, coached by Don Cherry Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre.  The teams are stacked with players who will make a big impact at this years NHL Draft.  This year their is no front runner or Sidney Crosby for the taking, so these players need to make an impact anyway they can.  The Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game and Skills Competition is an excellent way to grab the attention of scouts and teams looking to fill a void on their team. 

It was great to talk to the players and watch them practice together.  I had the opportunity to speak with Sean Couturier, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and others at the practice last night as well as speak briefly with Coach Doug Gilmour.  Dougie not only attended the practice, but was on ice walking Team Orr (White) through a series of  drills. 

Have a look at the players involved in this years events and check out my interviews with Sean Couturier and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as well as some pictures from the event.

Sean Couturier Interview

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGgwl2HAGWk

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Interview

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrY_astM_WU

David Honzik

Team Orr (White)Forwards
Sven Bartschi
Daniel Catenacci
Jonathan Huberdeau
Colin Jacobs
Boone Jenner
Lucas Lessio
Shane McColgan
Vladislav Namestnikov
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Zack Phillips
Brandon Saad
Vincent Trocheck

Defencemen
Nathan Beaulieu
Dougie Hamilton
David Musil
Xavier Ouellet
Stuart Percy
Reece Scarlett

Goalies
Jordan Binnington
Liam Liston

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If you are a hockey collector than you really need to check out The Want List magazine.  It is filled with amazing articles, reviews, previews, and extensive coverage of the hobby world.  This was my second article for the magazine and I really enjoyed covering the event and getting feedback from Upper Deck, Panini America, In The Game, collectors, and vendors from around the world.

Have a look below at a sample (page 1 of 4) of my article that appears in the magazine.  If you want to read more, visit The Want List Magazine website and sign up for a subscription today at http://www.thewantlist.ca/thewantlist/#subscribe.

Enjoy the read and let me know what you guys think.

Sidney Crosby seems to be popping up in contests quite a bit these days.  I highlighted the last contest he was in with Dempster’s, so I thought I would highlight his newest one with Sport Chek.  Have a look at the current ads running for Sport Chek featuring Sid the Kid.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UAspiagi50

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RkeWAzoXCU

Basically to enter all you have to do is obtain a Sport Chek Reebok PIN Card for every Reebok product you purchase in the store or online and enter it at the contest website http://sc87.ca/contest for your chance to win a trip for you and three friends to meet Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. 

Here are the full details on the grand prize package. 

• 15 minute meet and greet with Sidney Crosby
• Return airfare to Pittsburgh, PA
• 2 nights hotel accommodation
• 4 Pittsburgh Penguin Jerseys
• $500 CDN Spending Cash

There are also Reebok prize packs and Sport Chek gift cards up for grabs.  For complete rules and regulations visit http://sc87.ca/contest .

The contest opened on January 6, 2o011 and ends February 4, 2011, so don’t miss out!!

Retailers such as Toys R Us, Pharma Plus, and a few others took part in National Hockey Card Day last year and all you needed to do was ask for them at the front counter.  I think this is a great way to get kids interested in collecting and it is a fun and inexpensive way (i.e. free) for collectors to add to their collection.  

The 15 card set (plus bonus card) is broken down into three subsets including Rookies, Pride, and Heroes.  There is also a bonus card of  Jonathan Toews commemorating his Stanley Cup win.

Have a look at some of the amazing players headlining this years set.

Rookies
Taylor Hall
Tyler Seguin
Jeff Skinner
Jordan Eberle
P.K. Subban

Pride
Jason Spezza
Dion Phaneuf
Jarome Iginla
Roberto Luongo
Sidney Crosby

Heroes
Patrick Roy
Mario Lemieux
Gordie Howe
Bobby Orr
Wayne Gretzky

Bonus
Jonathan Toews Stanley Cup

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