Favourite 1990s hockey insert sets

[djmcards]

I think the years from 1994-2001 were the glory years of hockey insert sets. I decided to try to narrow down all those wonderful insert sets into my favourite 12 sets. I thought I would share my list, and I would love to hear what other collectors thought were the best insert sets from that era. The thread is called 1990s insert sets, but a couple snuck in from the start of the 2000s. I tend to love shiny sets and die-cut sets. In no particular order, here are my favourites:

94-95 Donruss Elite Series
99-00 Topps Gold Label Quest for the Cup
95-96 Score Dream Team
94-95 Pinnacle Gamers
94-95 Topps Finest Ring Leaders
95-96 Pinnacle Clear Shots
00-01 Topps Gold Label Golden Greats
96-97 Pinnacle By the Numbers
00-01 Topps Chrome Rocket's Flare
99-00 Topps Stanley Cup Heroes
94-95 Premier Finest The Go to Guy
97-98 Pinnacle Epix

Beautiful insert sets from a great era of collecting. Cheers!

[SenatorCollector]

I've always been partial to Pacific inserts, especially 97/98 Revolution Chalk Talk Laser Cuts, and 98/99 Aurora Championship Fever.

[djmcards]

Pacific had some awesome inserts sets. My two favourites were the NHL Icons dies-cuts and the Pacific Crown sets, both of which were annual insert sets for a few years. I had a hard time not putting those two sets on my list.

[SenatorCollector]

Pacific had some awesome inserts sets. My two favourites were the NHL Icons dies-cuts and the Pacific Crown sets, both of which were annual insert sets for a few years. I had a hard time not putting those two sets on my list.

Not to mention, Cramer's Choice, and Net Cel Fusions!

[Interanzionale]

Pacific had some awesome inserts sets. My two favourites were the NHL Icons dies-cuts and the Pacific Crown sets, both of which were annual insert sets for a few years. I had a hard time not putting those two sets on my list.

You have fantastic taste my friend.

[Rraincock]

I loved the UD Heroes series... and I still want one of those Brett Hull Heroes autos...

[odjickfan]

UD Choice Starquest 98-99
MVP 99-00 90's Snapshots

[Goose97]

This is a great topic in describing a bygone era of the hobby before it became more "online". This is the period when inserts were the thing everybody hoped to get. Autos, and Game Used took that distinction away by the end of the decade, but it was in this period that designs, and checklist lineups were packed with all the quality players.

My favourite one to chase, and still chasing is 1996-97 SP Game Films:



Pacific came onto the scene for the 97-98 season, and they innovated their insert designs. This was an era of multi card companies, and in order to be attractive to the consumer you had to show the pizazz people were looking for.



The end of the decade only saw four companies producing Hockey cards

ITG
Topps
Pacific
and Upper Deck

Once the renaissance of Game Used everything, and autos took over after 2001, and the exclusive in 2005. Not too much in the way of paying attention to inserts has mattered.

It sure is nice to bring these cards out from time to time...

[canucksfan007]

Love the 90s. Still trying to complete a bunch of sets.

Here are some of my favs:

- Ultra Fleer Premier Padmen ( love the die cut design )
- Pinnacle Summit In The Crease Prismatic /600 ( embossed and super shiny, not to mention /600 was very rare for the time )


- Pinnacle Masks ( all early versions of this set were awesome! )
- Leaf Limited Stick Side /2500 ( has a wood type feel )


- Donruss Color Guard /1500 ( acetate and die cut! )
- Flair Hot Gloves ( by far my favorite glove set produced )



And one of the few non all goalie insert sets im collecting:

- Topps Mystery Finest Gold Refractors ( doing the whole sets, Bronze / Silver / Gold + refractors )




Awesome thread.

I wish there was a 90s trading area or thread. Sucks no one trades these cards anymore and we have to only buy ( or be lucky enough to find a dealer that has these at shows that doesnt ask $20 a card )

[jameslacarte]

I gotta agree with Canucks fan too. I luv the 90's inserts.. My favorite would have to be the Pinnacle Mask cards.. They look so cool. Also like the Pinnacle Epic too..