My Hockey Card Collecting Journey:

I was born in the Kootenays, in a small town called Trail, BC. Not long after, we moved to a smaller city where we lived on a farm with my uncle. He and my grandfather were passionate collectors, and I guess you could say I inherited that same love early on.

While my brothers were always asking for treats from the store, I had only one request for my dad: hockey cards. I can still remember the smell of that pink bubble gum when I’d tear open a fresh pack. In the late '70s and early '80s, a pack cost just 25 cents. I’d wait with excitement for my dad to bring them home — they felt like treasures.

Back then, no one was allowed to touch my cards. My goal was simple: complete the sets, collect the goalies, and trade for the players who stood out on TV. In elementary school, card trading and playing games with them was a huge part of our lives.

As I got older and could afford more, I found myself back in the stores, chasing the pieces I’d dreamed of as a kid. The hobby has changed a lot — from set collecting to the thrill of pulling a signature, a game-used patch, or a rare auto. Now, it’s all about chasing that big hit — but the heart of collecting is still the same for me. It’s about passion, memory, and connection.