CANUCKS STUFF - Season Tickets

The eight year old boy inside of me gets a little excited when my pops comes home and says, "I have some hockey stuff for ya." What was it he had? Take a look for yourself:

That is 13 different season ticket holder books from 6 different seasons.

Now the boy inside of me said, "This is gonna be so cool, you can add these into your ticket collection and one day they're gonna be worth millions!"

The 17 year old teenager said, "What are you gonna do with a bunch of unredeemed play-off tickets from non-existent games?"

The eight year old boy won. Of course I kept the books, they're freakin cool!

Basically these books are from past years where the Canucks made the play-offs (or the organization thought they were gonna make the play-offs).

Before the play-offs start, all the season ticket holders get their ticket books for the upcoming rounds.

Sometimes you'd have an entire booklet of unused tickets because the Canucks came 9th place and didn't make it. 

There are even tickets for rounds that lasted only 4, 5 or 6 games so the other tickets are for games that never happened.

Even though all my tickets prior to this were from games I had attended and I was proud of that fact; this is pretty rad as well

Now for some show and tell:

 

That flat booklet to the left is from the 2007-08 season for round 1. Unfortunately, the Canucks did not qualify for the play-offs that year. That's why that booklet is untouched and actually should never had existed. Kinda cool huh?

The booklet to the right is actually from last season. It's also neat seeing how the tickets have changed over the years and the different themes.

The tickets to the left look similar to those of last season but are actually from the 2011 play-offs. Then to the right we have a completely different design, with the theme of retired Canucks (Stan Smyl, Kirk McLean, Trevor Linden and Greg Adams).

From 2008-09 are these set of tickets, again going with the Canucks Alumni theme. From left to right is Adams, Snepsts, Linden (I think) and Smyl.

I thought this was kinda a neat find; very unique to be exact. Who knows maybe these will get passed down from generation to generation and they'll be worth more than a bucket of nickels. That may just be the eight year old boy talking...

GO NUCKS GO!

IT'S PLAYOFFS TIME BABY!

Can you smell it? Hockey is in the air, I can finally start and feel the excitement in the air today as the Canucks are playing the Kings tonight at Rogers Arena! I'm sure if your favourite team is in the playoffs (or not) you're still stoked to see 16 teams battle it out for a chance at Lord Stanley's Cup.

Most know me on my blog for the hockey cards I collect but I am somewhat of a memorabilia collector also. Anything that has a Canucks logo or is Vancouver Canucks related I will try and get my hands on. Anywhere from lamps, stickers, bobble heads etc. I want it! But there is one type of collection that isn't unique to little old me. In fact it's more of a tradition than anything else.

I'm sure you're all familiar with the white towel waving that STARTED here in Vancouver in 1982 that soon other hockey teams and other sports copied started doing themselves.

It's more than just a "thing" we do every year, it's a ritual, something with meaning and importance! Over my short lifespan I've been able to acquire a neat variety of towels, let's take a look at some of them.

This is the oldest towel in my collection. Obviously it's from the Canucks short play-off run in 2003. As you can see it's a bit dirty on the bottom left hand side which I think adds a little character. It's made of a dishcloth type material that could actually be used in your kitchen if you're that type of person. I am not that type of person, this will stay as safe and preserved as possible from now on.

This next towel is wider and whiter then the towel from 2003. The only problem is I'm not sure what year this is from. All I know is that it has to be earlier than 2007 but later than 2003. Take your guess...

Now we're getting into the era of stronger Canucks teams and the "new" Canucks logo. This towel was actually given to me by my 8th grade teacher a few years back. She knew I was a crazy Canucks fan and she left it in my desk for me one morning. Thanks Mme. Armstrong :)

These pair are from 2009. Probably my favourite design and texture. The thinner the towels are the easier they are to whip around above your head.

This is the second appearance this towel has made on my blog. This towel is signed by none other than Roberto Luongo!

It's a funny looking autograph considering he had to sign on towel material. The blue ink looks great and this is one of my favourite signatures because of the uniqueness. Think of it, many might have a Luongo signature on a hockey card, photo and even jerseys; but a towel signature is definitely different!

This one was not given out at Canucks games like all the others, instead it was issued by RBC (Royal Bank of Canada). But I guess it's still a towel so I'll take it anyway.

These two slightly different towels are from last years magical play-off run. The left is obviously from the 4 games the Canucks played against the Bruins here in Vancity. The right towel was being handed out at the other 3 rounds in Vancouver.

I own three towel from the finals and two from the other rounds.

What do they all look like together you ask? Well here is the answer:

That makes for a total of 12 towels with 8 unique designs!

Good luck to your team in the play-offs and enjoy the ride! As always...

GO CANUCKS GO!

CANUCKS SPECIALS - The REAL 2011-12 Gift

Okay so sometimes I eat my words. Today I have to do just that. Awhile back I got in the mail what I thought was the 2011-12 Season Ticket Holder gift from the Vancouver Canucks organization. You can read what I thought about that "gift" here. To make a long story short, I was not impressed. It felt like the gift lacked a certain special/unique appeal that they usually have.

Turns out that WASN'T the actual gift! Kinda bittersweet, I have to admit that the Canucks organization weren't putting out a simple magazine as the gift (and eat my words) BUT! I instead get a super sweet thank you gift. I'm glad my dad still thinks of me and my collection addiction and hands these on to me, they really are a treat!

So let's look at it!

The package came in this blue matte finished box with a foiled Vancouver Canucks logo and the ever famous Vancouverite slogan "We Are All Canucks". Classy. Checkmark. 

Inside was this folder that contained a couple brochures. One was full of information of how to renew your season tickets (which I handed to my father with a smile). The other brochure contained full page photos and captions from the year thus far. There are some really cool shots in this thing and it kinda gives me goosebumps thinking about the play-offs. 

Let's take a look at my top three favourite shots from the booklet.

Okay...so this was definitely made BEFORE the trade deadline. There is rookie Cody Hodgson doing a post-game interview. This only makes me sad, but it still is one of my favourites. On a side note, I'm working on making a trade for the Artifacts Cody Hodgson redemption numbered to /99! Hope I get it, I just hope I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch. Moving on...

This picture I thought would have a really cool affect on you TTM'ers out there. That is Dan Hamhuis signing hockey cards (with some wrapped in a rubber band...yikes!) Look at all that fan mail eh? But what I found really interesting was how the hockey cards travelled with him around North America. It's funny how hockey cards do more travelling then humans. Also I don't see any letter anywhere, is he even reading them? I hope so, I know if I ever tried to TTM I would put time and effort and hope it would even be scanned through. Anyhoo, I thought it was interesting and thought you might find it to. 

This is the very last picture in the entire booklet and it sends chills down my spine. I can feel and hear the atmosphere of the crowd just looking at it. Looking at this only makes me more excited about the play-offs. 

Overall, I'm really happy to put this in my Vancouver Canucks memorabilia collection. I'm really starting to collect a mini museum of cool Nucks stuff. It's fun and I wouldn't wanna quit it ever.

More then ever, I leave you with this...

...GO NUCKS GO!

What A Custom! Thanks Brett!

Anyone who reads my blog I'm sure has been reading MY HOCKEY CARD OBSESSION for some time before. Brett (the author) continues to put up some outstanding articles and thought provoking issues surrounding hockey cards and hockey in general.

Recently, Brett has been making some AMAZING progress with his custom card designs. I mean it when I say it is some beautiful work. He just made a Gordie Howe AUTO card that blew my mind, I don't know how a card company hasn't snatched this guy up yet.

About a couple of months ago I asked if he accepted requests, the AUTO I handed him was this:

It's of Daniel Sedin and it's on the back of a business card. I'm always a fan of IP AUTO's but there's something about a card design that makes an AUTO that much more special. 

Brett accepted this challenge and was super accommodating with what I was looking for in the card. I gave my two cents but I really wanted him to have his own creative expression because I knew what he was capable of and let me say, he didn't disappoint! 

A scan wasn't doing the card justice so this photo is the closest thing to seeing it in person. What a good job eh?! It's hard to see but the "V" background has a jersey feel to it and this card just screams Vancouver Canucks. I was very happy Brett was able to include the "To Michael; from:" in the AUTO as I'm a big fan of personalized autographs. 

But the goodness doesn't stop here...

My first reaction to the back of the card was "Holy crap, Brett did this??" Yup he did, and what a great job! Classy, well coloured, nice texture, and as always a well written paragraph. This honestly looks like a professionally made card and I could't be more happy with it!

Nothing else to say but THANK YOU BRETT! 

As a side note, I'm blogging to you from the beautiful state of Hawaii. ALOHA!

GO NUCKS GO!

CANUCKS SPECIALS - 2011-12 Gift

As season ticket holders, the Canucks organization gives it's appreciative customers/fans a gift about twice a year. Once near the beginning and another after the season is over. Some years I've gotten some awesome stuff! Even Jumbo Cards in really nice outer packages, actually I got Jumbo Cards twice! I've gotten posters packaged in a classy embossed tin. Not to mention videos and hard cover books! This year though, it was different.

Of course any gift big or small is appreciated, but this year's felt (dare I say it) insincere, cheapened and overall not so special. I don't want to complain and sound like a spoiled brat, but for some reason this year's gift seems more business like.

Take a look at what I received:

Okay so you're probably thinking "Hey Michael that's not so bad! That's a 115 page magazine they gave you! Do you know how much paper costs these days young'en?" Yes this looks really cool from the outside, the season date, "Heart of a Canuck" slogan etc. But let's look closer...

Yes the bottom left hand cover of the title page has a price on it. That leads me to believe that for only $11.95 (+12% HST) this magazine can own to anybody, yes, anybody. Does that not beat the entire purpose of giving a "special gift" to your V.I.P season ticket holders? Maybe it get's better on the inside, but so far knowing the fact that just about anybody can own this magazine feels like they don't treat me as unique for paying thousands of dollars a year.

Wait a sec, ADS?? You decide to put full page ads in my season ticket holders package?! Actually the count total for full page ads from cover to cover was 41 pages out of the 114. That's crazy money they're making just off of ads! 

The magazine wasn't all that bad though, they did have a few very strong articles I enjoyed reading.

This article featured Manny Malhotra who suffered a severe eye injury last year and was even told he might never see out of one of his eyes again!

There were also two page write ups on all of the players on this years Canucks squad. Including my favourite player - Cody Hodgson!

Probably my favourite article was this one commemorating the death of Rick Rypien. He will be forever missed not only by his family but from Canucks fans worldwide.

The final page was full of stats called "By the Numbers", I'm a numbers guys so this one page write-up was a delight to read.

Overall, this magazine that could probably be purchased at a store near you kinda feels like a rip off. Maybe it's because I know the Canucks organization can put out some really cool stuff, and this just unfortunately wasn't one of them. They've given quality gifts out year in and year out and knowing that there was no personalization to season ticket holders at all makes me almost feel cheapened.

What do you think? Am I being way too picky or do you see my point comparing it to past gifts I've gotten from the Canucks? Drop me a comment and until next time...

GO NUCKS GO!

GAME DAY - Oct. 29th, 2011 - Canucks vs. Capitals

Yesterday was a great day.

Had to start the post with that first sentence because that's exactly what yesterday was - great! Let me explain; my day started at 7:30 that morning. I woke up and got myself ready for a 10am start to my soccer game in a town in BC called Aldergrove. I'm starting with this because my team is 10-0 to start the season and you could say we're drinking our own bath water in a way. Yesterday was different. With 10 minutes left, we had one player on the bench with a sprained ankle and another with a broken collar bone and an ambulance on the way; oh we were also down 4-3. But when a corner developed, I was able to score my first goal of the season (and a pretty nice one if I do say so myself) to tie the game up at 4 a piece! Being a center-back (defender) it's great to chip in on the offence once and awhile especially when it involves a little drama. Although the team (including myself) was ecstatic it was still a bittersweet game since the game ended in a tie and two of my team mates are out for 2 and 6 weeks respectively. Now we are 10-0-1 (still unbeaten), but nonetheless the day starts out on a mixed note. That was sure one exciting goal, and one that I will cherish for the rest of my soccer career.

Now onto some hockey (I know you guys don't read to learn about soccer).

I got home and had a couple hours to nurse my own bumps and bruises and get ready for the real game. My Canucks versus Russia the Washington Capitals! I went to the game with two of my team mates and all three of our dad's. We went to a fairly nice Italian restaurant called Q4 downtown. After we walked down to what I like to think as my home away from home - Rogers Arena. I walk in with this ticket in my hand:

Okay so it's not actually the ticket we walked in with, but it's the one I ended up with in the end. Being three groups of two people we decided to swap seats after every period and we ended up with the best seats in the 3rd. Right on the glass baby! 

When we walked in we got our complimentary copy of the nights program booklet.

I have a tin full of tickets and programs etc. that I want to share with you guys one day and this is the basic free program you get when you go to a Canucks game.

Now the day was getting a bit better.

Walking to our seats I see a small line of people, I peek around and low and behold it's...Gary Valk! Not sure if many of you remember Valk but he was part of the 94' cup run. He has a gig doing Canucks analysis after games featured on Rogers Sportsnet. Of course I jumped in the line and met Gary. He was fairly nice but not overly welcoming which I found odd. He wasn't like Dave Babych who I also met signing at a Canucks game. But nonetheless it was a neat experience, here's my souvenir. 

Not quite a great day (yet) but it certainly got better.

Now for the actual game. The meat and potatoes of this post. Here are some pics from our regular seats (period number 1).

These pictures are zoomed in from my iPhone so they aren't the greatest quality. They also make it look like we were really far away, but, these were actually taken in our original seats which are 15 rows away from the action. The first two periods were swapped with 4 goals going each way and non stop excitement. What really made the game fun was the people around us. There was a kid with his father straight off the boat from Russia, don't speak a lick of English that would just scream out random Russian words every time Ovie touched the puck. Me along with guys around us had some great conversations with them (or at least tried to).

There was also a goaltending change after the first by the Caps and a penalty shot that just squeaked by Luongo that added to the intensity!

The third period was the best. Take a gander at some of the pics!

OOOOOOOO-VVVVVVIEEEEEE! That was what was chanted throughout the 18,000+ people in attendance last night when Alex Ovechkin was sent to the box. That was what woke up the Canucks. Three consecutive and unanswered goals from the Vancouver Canucks! Let's just say the goal horn was ringing through my head all night long!

Now a 7-4 win over the Capitals is what made that day a GREAT day! 

Edler and Lappy both has 2 goals and both were dancing on the edge of hat tricks.

But that wasn't my first encounter with Ovechkin at Rogers Arena. Back in 2009 the Canucks beat the Caps 3-2 with the help of a beautiful penalty shot save by Roberto Luongo against Alexander Semin in the third period.

But the cream of the crop and probably the best out of the three games (even though last night's was an extremely close second) was the shoot out victory in 2006 when it was Ovie's first trip to Vancity. 3-2 was the final score.

Have you ever had one of those days where a hockey game makes it that much more spectacular? Tell me about it and post a comment.

As always...

GO NUCKS GO!

CANUCKS SPECIALS - 2009/10 PACKAGE

Above is my father's ticket to game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals. After drowning in my tears from the loss two days ago, I've finally come to grips with reality. It's hard but it's something that has to be done.

Second, I'm still really heated about the rioting that went down in downtown Vancouver after the game. The countless cars flipped and lit on fire, lutting millions of dollars worth of products from stores, acts of extreme violence against other hockey fans and the police, and even the sad few cases of fatalities. I'm disgusted and I hope CNN and the morning shows that covered this riot know that this is not Vancouver's true colors. 

Now for the true reason I decided to post today. Canucks specials. As a regular readers of my blog would know, occasionally, as season ticket holders we receive special packages of sorts. Similar to many others it included posters, a renewal guide and a few other perks. This time it showcased the heritage of the Vancouver Canucks; including past teams leading up to the NHL, and players. This is what the package came in...

This is similar to the doors that separate to enter the Canucks newly remodeled dressing room.

This thick poster came with about 9 different folds with numerous pictures in kinda a sepia color scheme. Most pictures are pictures of the Canucks out of their armor. These are just two examples I though were cool. The big poster it folds out into is the players on the Canucks that played in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics (Luongo, Sedins, Demitra, Erhoff, and Salo).

The main theme of the package was the 22 jumbo card set portraying the history of Vancouver's hockey organization. 

Do remember the last time Vancouver won the cup? I don't either, but it is recorded that the Vancouver Millionaires won the Stanley Cup against the Ottawa Senators in a best of 5 series in 1915.

Most of these cards speak for themselves so I'm not gonna comment on them too much. I just wanted to share them with you guys. I will though bring out my favorite card of the bunch - Johnny Canuck. I believe Johnny should be our logo right now. He's a good Canadian lumberjack that shows toughness and passion.

This video below was introduced to me sometime around the beginning of the finals. It has given me such a surge of adrenaline whenever I watch it. Watching this video after we lost though, made me feel disheartened and broken...take a look.

Lastly, this is now my official 92nd post. In 8 more I will hit the big 100! That means I will introduce to you my first c4k contest. I've already thrown out this idea before. The idea is I'll give you a mask template of a "regular" blank modern/vintage hockey mask. Your part is to fill in the template with your personal design. Whatever team, mementos etc. you want. The deadline will be a month after my 100th post. I'll give you more details when the contest is released, for now it's just a shout out.

GO NUCKS GO!