Canadian Collectors to get Free Upper Deck Hockey Cards on National Hockey Card Day
Since baseball is the national pastime in the Unites States (historically anyway), it's only fitting that card collectors can look forward to free baseball cards on National Baseball Card Day. Likewise, it only makes sense that their counterparts in Canada would anticipate a similar day to celebrate hockey cards.
That day is coming up at the end of next month when Upper Deck teams up with hobby stores and retailers across Canada for the second annual National Hockey Card Day. On Saturday, January 30, collectors will be able to visit participating locations and pick up a free pack of five cards specifically created for the event.
The full 15-card National Hockey Card Day set features rookies, current stars and NHL legends who were born north of the border. Names on the checklist include John Tavares, Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky, and as a special Canadian twist, the bilingual card backs have both English and French text.
After stores reported significant increases in foot traffic for the program's debut in 2009, Upper Deck has high hopes for the 2010 edition.
"Hockey is the national sport in Canada, so Upper Deck wanted to come up with a way to celebrate that incredible devotion," Upper Deck sports marketing manager Chris Carlin said in a press release. "We started this program last year and it was a huge success with countless hockey fans and trading card collectors visiting hobby shops and retailers across Canada. We expect just as much excitement this time around."
Some of the chains that will offer the free cards next month include Toys"R" Us, Jean Contu, London Drugs and Rexall. It's not too late for hobby shops to get in on the action either, and interested owners can call 1-866-335-9001 or email angelo@universaldist.com.
Upper Deck also has a site devoted to National Hockey Card Day (www.upperdeck.com/nhcd) where visitors can catch a glimpse of all 15 cards in the set and (eventually) get a list of participating stores nearby.
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