Enforcers Takes on New Meaning

[bprice]

Seems like our Enforcers product is taking on a new meaning.

It is becoming the whipping boy for everything the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation sees wrong with the game of hockey.

Read for yourself:

Bloody hockey cards celebrate NHL enforcers - Manitoba - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/12/09/mb-hockey-cards-enforcers-manitoba.html)

Brian Price

[WilsonValdez]

The fake blood splattering seems pretty tacky, but other than that I see nothing wrong with celebrating a part of the game.

Takes me back to one of my favorite hockey sets of all time, 2000/01 ITG Tough Materials:

http://enforcersonly.jalbum.net/00-01-ITG-Tough-Material/slides/scan0016.jpg

[GoJays]

Jeez, sounds like ms. Belak is quite upset :(. I personally don't understand the outcry of hatred, but my opinion may be a bit biased, being that I am a collector.

[mwheeler27]

Sounds to me like this release is already becoming famous. I might have to pick up a case or two. :)!

[rizzeedizzee]

Enforcers have a place in hockey, but the suicides of Belak, Rypien and Boogaard within a few months of each other make this a touchy subject and I can see how many could see a release like this as fanning the flames of controversy, or trying to profit on their memories.

If you have time, I strongly suggest reading the three part piece that the NY Times had on Derek Boogaard recently. It was pretty eye opening.

Part 1 - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-boy-learns-to-brawl.html?pagewanted=all

Part 2 - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-blood-on-the-ice.html?pagewanted=all

Part 3 - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-brain-going-bad.html?pagewanted=all

[Da_Fish]

I know I am looking foward to this set. I see a partial autograph checklist is up and I hope Dennis Bonvie will be on the final list since he isn't on it yet. If not, I will have to go after his GU cards

[stellablue]

"I'm not glorifying violence.".......... yet the cards have blood splatter. Nice.

[BAMBAM]

Please tell me you included Dave Brown autos and game used in this.

[hairysasquatch]

Based on my reading of the original CBC piece, I predict that at a minimum the blood spatters go - given that it is Canada and free speech is not quite as protected there as in USA, I could also see a court case here that would attempt to prevent release/sale of cards. Just sayin'....

[mwheeler27]

Based on my reading of the original CBC piece, I predict that at a minimum the blood spatters go - given that it is Canada and free speech is not quite as protected there as in USA, I could also see a court case here that would attempt to prevent release/sale of cards. Just sayin'....

Then it might be smart to order some boxes or cases ASAP.

[jayjay0122]

Did they really think this wouldn't cause a controversy when they decided to add blood splatter to these cards? Making a set for enforcers is fine, but the blood splatter is really unnecessary. They make it seem like these guys get busted open everytime they get into a fight, which is wrong, so the blood seems pretty pointless to me.

[mwheeler27]

If crowds cheer when they see blood in hockey, I see nothing wrong with printed blood on these cards. It's probably not that far away from an accurate depiction of some sort.

Remember, these won't be on shelves in Wal-Mart or Target. It's not likely kids will be buying these. In my opinion, this set is more targeted at veteran, adult collectors.

If hockey allowed/allows fighting, there's nothing wrong with these cards, in my opinion. When I was a kid, it was believed that if you became a hockey player, you would lose all your teeth. I didn't get that idea from collecting cards.

[jayjay0122]

If crowds cheer when they see blood in hockey, I see nothing wrong with printed blood on these cards. It's probably not that far away from an accurate depiction of some sort.

Remember, these won't be on shelves in Wal-Mart or Target. It's not likely kids will be buying these. In my opinion, this set is more targeted at veteran, adult collectors.

If hockey allowed/allows fighting, there's nothing wrong with these cards, in my opinion. When I was a kid, it was believed that if you became a hockey player, you would lose all your teeth. I didn't get that idea from collecting cards.

When do crowds cheer when they see blood in hockey? They cheer for the fight itself to pump up the team, not because they want to see someone bleed.

[mwheeler27]

When do crowds cheer when they see blood in hockey? They cheer for the fight itself to pump up the team, not because they want to see someone bleed.

I hope you're right, although I imagine there are people that like seeing blood.

How many times have we heard, "I think there's blood on that memorabilia piece!", in an excited way?

Some people like seeing blood. It's been that way since the beginning of time.

[yeffromaniac]

There will be as many people that like the product as there will that don't. I think it adds some character to cards which lately have been lacking a little. It takes balls to make a product like this and you have my respect for the innovation. I'm not sure about fake blood on actual game used jersey but its a jump in the right direction. Cool stuff.

[GoJays]

There will be as many people that like the product as there will that don't. I think it adds some character to cards which lately have been lacking a little. It takes balls to make a product like this and you have my respect for the innovation. I'm not sure about fake blood on actual game used jersey but its a jump in the right direction. Cool stuff.

I imagine almost every collector of hockey will love the set, whereas the haters will be modern hockey fans/skeptics (people who want fighting/hitting gone). I think this pays respect to the unsung heroes of the sport. I personally don't see a problem, but I can see why others would.

[cking]

As much as it pains me to say this I agree with Wheeler and Brian Price on this one.Enforcers are part of the game. If not for the enforcers players like Gretzky,Sakic and Jagr would have been run through on a nightly basis. Some people need to get a grip,they are hockey cards for gods sake. I have been known to give Brian Price a difficult time on here but I am a big enough person to give credit when it is due. And its due here because this is a great idea,great concept and great theme to do for a set. I dont think I will ever get into the Sportkings stuff but I will be buying some of this product for sure.

[pnft17]

Sweet product. Can't wait. Has full auto checklist been posted yet? are they sticker autos?

[pnft17]

Updated checklist is out. I see Dave Brown has been added.
Huge to get him in it. Any chance ITG could tweet a picture of his card, has he done his signing? I know he was a redemption in Panini Tough Times and I've heard his card isn't going to be made for it. So this will be he first cert auto I know of.

[iluvfish2]

FYI...Group Break has been posted...waiting for Blowout to check my numbers and approve