1987-88 Shell Vancouver Canucks Set

This 24-card set of Vancouver Canucks was sponsored by Shell Oil and released only in British Columbia, Canada. It was issued as eight different three-card panels, with the cards measuring the standard size after perforation (2 1/2" by 3 1/2"). The cardstock is rather thick, and gives each card some nice heft and sturdiness.

The cards were distributed as a promotion for Shell Oil, with one panel per week given out at participating Shell stations. Included with the cards was a coupon offering a $5 discount on tickets to the Canucks games.

The front features a color head and shoulders shot of the player, with the Canucks logo superimposed at the upper left hand corner of the picture. The player's name, position, and the Formula Shell logo appear below the picture. The cards are unnumbered, and the backs provide biographical and career information on each player.

The 1987-88 Canucks finished last in the Smythe division and out of the playoffs for the second season in a row. A big reason for the failed season was a 12-game winless streak in February and March where the team lost 10, including 9 in a row, and tied twice. The Canucks were never able to put more than two consecutive wins together the entire season.

Kirk McLean's card from the set predates his OPC rookie card by two years. As a rookie for the Canucks he appeared in 41 games, and would go on to backstop the team for 11 seasons before being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes in 1998.

1992 Kellogg's Trophies Set

Protected by a clear plastic cello pack, these 11 cards were inserted into Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal boxes in Canada. Each cello pack contained two cards.

The set includes the Stanley Cup, President's Trophy, Hart, Conn Smythe, Vezina, Norris, Calder, Selke, Byng, Art Ross and Jack Adams.

The cards measure approximately 2 3/8" by 3 1/4" and were printed on thin card stock. The fronts featured a color photo of the trophy inside a gold border on a turquoise card face. The name of the trophy appears in a red circle at the center of the top. The backs are red and carried text in white print about the trophy. All text on both sides is in English and French. The cards are numbered on the front at the bottom center. 

Because of the thin card stock and full-color bleed on the front and back, this set tends to be condition sensitive.