Hockey cards have been around for a long time. From the Parkies in the fifties to modern day upper deck cards, weve seen several different variations throughout the years. Many people Ive talked to used to collect hockey cards as children, but have gotten away from the industry and have forgotten about the thrill of pulling that big name player from a pack of cards. Most people that used to collect are so far away from the industry now that they dont even know what companies provide product anymore or how to buy.
As children, we just bought packs. Collectors these days will buy packs, but really are more interested in boxes, especially hobby boxes. Lets talk about what a hockey hobby box is. The main players in todays market for hockey are In The Game and Upper Deck. In fact, they are virtually the only players. After the lockout of the 2004/05 season, a lot of the smaller companies that produced hockey cards either went out of business or were in a sense blocked from making hockey cards due to the fact that Upper Deck basically bought exclusive rights to the NHL and NHLPA. In the Game hung onto its market share by focusing on retirees and prospects, therefore getting around the Upper Deck monopoly. Both of these companies product multiple products in a calendar year and many of these products have both retail and hobby versions. What is the difference? Retail versions of products normally contain mostly base cards and are found in local corner stores that sell hockey cards. They are very much marketed for retail business to be sold more or less by the pack. Some versions of retail boxes do have special card hits, but they are the minority. A hockey hobby box on the other hand is made for the hobby card collector. Each box will have a good ratio of hits. For example, a twenty four pack box may state that the ratio of special card (being rookies, game used cards, or autographed cards) is one in four. They do not guarantee the ratio, but most times they are pretty close. In this case, the hobby collector would normally buy a whole box as opposed to single packs in order for the next to guaranteed ratio of special cards.
Why then do companies even produce retail and hobby versions of the same product? Imagine you are that child again who loves to collect hockey cards. Retail versions are easily accessible by the pack and because retail boxes contain less hits and more base cards, they are normally a LOT less expensive than hobby boxes. Children can still enjoy buying that pack of cards and pulling a special card of a special player. Hockey hobby boxes are normally much more expensive and are normally bought by more serious collectors who are adults and are interested in potential value for the cash they put out. Normally an entire box is purchased so the near guaranteed hits are gotten. Hobby boxes also are not allowed to be sold in retail stores, but must be sold in hobby stores only. This by itself would attract a different kind of collector.