It’s kind of crazy that we’re still in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and we’re already previewing a product for next year. But good news for you Canucks, Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Penguins fans – the 2012-13 NHL season is not too far away.
With that, let’s take a look at one of the first releases of the 2012-13 product year – O-Pee-Chee Hockey. OPC is one of the more historic hockey brands and it a big hit among young and old alike. And from the early pictures of 12-13 OPC, it’s easy to see why:
This Alexander Ovechkin card is a beautiful example of the 600 card base set, including 100 SP’s (short prints) that will come 1 every 2 packs. The 100 SP’s are comprised of Marquee Rookies and Marquee Legends. You can expect to get about 8 of each of these per box.
What I think may be my favorite part of 12-13 O-Pee-Chee Hockey is the Retro parallel set that will fall 1 per pack. These Retro parallels have a great, clean design and look like they came straight out of a mid century baseball card set. I, for one, am very excited to try and put together the entire Retro set. Being 1 per pack, you can expect to pull 32 of these Retro parallels per box. Along with the Retro parallel set, there are two more parallels. The first being Rainbow parallels which fall about 1 every 4 packs (8 per box) as well as the Black Border Rainbow parallels that are even more limited and numbered to 100.
I think there are plenty of times when the mantra “less is more” rings true, and 12-13 OPC Hockey is certainly one of the times. The product is not over burdened with multiple insert sets and memorabilia cards. Although there are autographs to be pulled, they are very, very rare and will be tough pulls. OPC becomes a gem in it’s few, well designed insert sets beginning with the unique and fun full size Stickers that fall 10 per box.
The 50 card Pop-Ups set will be a fun and challenging set to built. These retro designed, die cut cards fall 2 per box. Expect to bust between 25 and 30 boxes or more to put together this set.
After seeing the high demand and love for the manufactured patches in the UD Goodwin Champions baseball product, Upper Deck has decided to add them to the 12-13 OPC product and I think it’s a great idea. These Team Logo Patches will be tough pulls, only 1 in 96 packs. The set is comprised of 100 cards with varying subsets such as Cartoon, Ceremonial, Expansion Era, and Pre-WWII. Some patches will be more rare than others which adds more fun to the hunt.
All in all, I have high hopes for next year’s OPC product and I think it could be a very fun and cost effective break for all ages.
Box Breakdown:
8 cards per pack; 32 packs per box; 256 cards per box
32 Retro parallels
10 Stickers
8 Marquee Rookies
8 Marquee Legends
8 Rainbow parallels
2 Pop-Ups
Much love,
Hockey Boy
