Alive and well

Beyond the uber-rare rookie card and the occasional four-color autographed patch card, the main reason why I collect hockey cards is to build up hounding stock. Because of this, I get more excited when I pick up a card of, say, New Jersey's Jay Pandolfo than I do when I get yet another for New Jersey's Zach Parise.

I'll also admit to following some of their values. Did you know that both of these 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Winter Classic cards of Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby are "worth" $25-$60 each, according to the December 2008 issue of Beckett Hockey.

It just goes to show that not all investments, so to speak, have to be in stock markets, undeveloped waterfront land or any of the precious metals.

It was nice to see, too, that an overwhelming majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers taking part in the most recent poll also take the time and spend their hard-earned cash to collect hockey cards. Twenty-three of the 28 votes cast indicated that hockey card collecting is still drawing strong interest across the hockey landscape.

Granted, my hockey card purchases have been curtailed this season, focusing on the more low- to middle-price products that add to our hounding reserves while enjoying the sweet bonus that comes along.

Question: Do you collect hockey cards?

Yes: 23 votes out of 28 cast (82.1 percent)
No: 5 votes out of 28 (17.9 percent)