[sanjosefuji]

In 1991, the Sharks arrived on the scene in the NHL. Since then... I've become a huge fan and have grown to admire and respect the enforcers of the league, who are willing to give up their bodies to protect the team's superstars and/or help turn a game around.

Recently, there has been some controversy regarding In The Game's upcoming release, "Enforcers", which is a set that will commemorate past and present NHL tough guys.


I won't waste your time by repeating what others have said... so if you're not sure of what I'm talking about... I encourage you to check out these articles on the issue:

A Blood-Splattered Disgrace

In The Game Responds

Personally... all of the hoopla motivated me to research some of the NHL's greatest enforcers of all-time and then peek into my own collection to see if I owned any cards of them. Surprisingly, I found a bunch in my hockey tradelist, which I've since removed to start a new PC:

05/06 BAP "Autographs" #BA Mathew Barnaby
00/01 Titanium “Game Gear” #143 Matthew Barnaby
98/99 BAP #14 Matthew Barnaby

94 Signature Rookies #18 Wade Belak (6721/7750)
98/99 BAP #298 Craig Berube
97/98 BAP #150 Kelly Buchberger





96/97 BAP Silver #62 Shayne Corson
05/06 Parkhurst "Signatures" #BE Ben Eager





97/98 BAP #137 Chris Gratton
98/99 BAP #101 Chris Gratton
06/07 Parkhurst "Autographs" #23 Stu Grimson





2000-01 Gold Label "Game Worn Jerseys" #GLJKT Keith Tkachuk
1999-00 Black Diamond "A Piece of History" #KT Keith Tkachuk





1995-96 Be A Player Autographs Die Cut #S6 Basil McRae
06/07 Upper Deck "Series 2 Game Jersey" #J2-DT Darcy Tucker
97/98 BAP #119 Darcy Tucker

In terms of the whole issue regarding In The Game's Enforcers product, I think that Brian Price should respect Georges Laraque and (especially) Wade Belak's family's request to be removed from the product. I'm sure legally, Price has covered his bases, but there's no reason to put the Belak family through anymore distress than what they've already gone through this year.

What about you...

Should Mr. Price pull Laraque's and Belak's cards from this product? Why or why not?

It's a pretty interesting topic with valid points from both sides and I'd love to hear your thoughts.


Have a great week everyone. Sayonara!



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