Hobby Musings: Scott Daniels Talks Hockey Cards – Interview
Hobby Musings: Scott Daniels Talks Hockey Cards – Interview Transcript
Editor’s note: Some text has been changed from original audio for grammar and clarity. Thank you to JB Autographs for the interview opportunity.
KS: We’re here at a trading card show. When you started playing during your career, did you ever imagine the trading card autograph business would get as big as it is?
SD: Absolutely no idea. As a player, fans always had players sign, like, maybe like a ticket stub or a hockey program. But as the years went on and companies started seeing, people were getting autographs. So, when they started the hockey card business, I think it was such a unique, opportunity for companies to start something for themselves. And then the fans jumped on it, and they got personalized. So, I think in a way, hockey cards changed that atmosphere of our sport, which is what you see today. Now there’s more hockey card shows than anything else. So, it’s been fantastic for the business.
KS: Now you got your own hockey cards issued; did you ever have a favorite of yourself?
SD: I mean, your very first card you receive is the most favorite, because you never expect to see yourself on a hockey card. When you make the NHL, you know, that’s kind of like the wait till you get your first hockey card, because then, you know, you’ve played. And I remember we were playing Ottawa. I was with, the Hartford Whalers, and I stepped off the bus and there’s autograph seekers everywhere. They know when you’re coming to town. And, you know, for some odd reason, there’s this network out there, what plane you’re on and what hotel you’re staying. So, I was walking down the ramp. It was just Sanderson. He goes, oh, chief, I think you got your card, man. Your first card. I was “Really?” You know, in the back of my mind, I was trying to play it cool, but then I’m like, yes! I want to see my first card, I want to see my first hockey card. And I came down the stairs. This guy, he goes: Hey Scott, I got your first card. And then I’m like *Gasp* I made it! I made it! I’m… part of the NHL crew, and, you know, I have my own hockey card. That’s me. So that was like a great moment of how far I had come as a hockey player. And I, you know, I still, still always talk to him about that. You know, how he was like, don’t sign it. Don’t sign it! I’m like… I can’t do that. You know, I’ll stay here and sign anything and be thankful for people who take the time to ask people for autographs.
KS: Did you collect any of your own cards or any memorabilia from your career?
SD: I did not get into the cards. No. I got into the hockey sticks. Hockey sticks were big. But, the one big thing I really went bonkers over was the Beanie Babies. And when the Beanie Babies hit, I was playing for the new Jersey Devils. Steve Thomas and I were Beanie Babies, insane people looking for the next of the cherished, Christmas Beanie Baby, the cherished Valentino. So, we were flying. We, played two games in Chicago. We flew into Chicago right from the tarmac, stomping with Steve, I know a place where, they have the new edition Beanie Babies. So instead of going on a team bus, we hired a cab to take us downtown to Chicago because he knew a guy who just got in a shipment of Beanie Babies. That’s how we were on Beanie Babies. So, I’d come home after a road trip. My daughters were like, do you get any? I’m like, Oh, you know, I got some. So, we were looking vaguely. Oh, oh, you got this, we already have this! So, we throw it to the side. I’m like, man, you kids are getting spoiled.
But as far as hockey memorabilia, you know, you did the odd hockey sticks just because you played with people. And that was the form of, hey, do you think I could do that for you? That was about it. Just, sticks and sticks and huge Beanie Babies fan.
KS: You mentioned the autograph seekers a little earlier. What is the strangest thing anyone has ever asked you to sign?
SD: My first year in Springfield, the minors. My first year pro, a fan brought a game used Eddie Shore, hockey stick, and he wanted the boys to sign it. Like, I was young. I was 21 years old, but I knew who the person was, and I knew what hockey meant in this region. So, in the back of my mind, I’m like, I can’t sign this because this is unique. And we were using the graphite and we were using the aluminum sticks at the time. But that stick was a masterpiece used by a man who hockey fans in this region know and love. So for me to put my name on there would have been in complete distaste for me. And I kind of recognized that early. And we, it was like 4 or 5 of us and we said, sorry, can’t do that for you.
KS: Is there anything from your career that you don’t have that you wish you had kept?
SD: My era, we really didn’t have hockey pictures, like action pictures. Nowadays I, you know, hockey players get pictures going through the ice or hanging out in the street. My era, there was no really action hockey pictures. And, you know, I always wish I had more action hockey pictures because that, you know, that takes the moment, takes you back to that moment like. Oh, yeah. I remember that game. So and so just happened, the score was this and that, but I wish there was more action pictures.
Hobby Musings: Scott Daniels Talks Hockey Cards
Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
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