Avalanche Treasure Hunt Preview: The bobblehead and trading card edition

It’s here, the latest Avalanche Treasure Hunt, where I hide various Avs memorabilia around the Denver metro area, give some clues to their location and it’s finders’ keepers after that.

This is a PREVIEW of the items to be hidden. The hunt will begin on Sunday, May 27, at a time of my choosing (probably not too long after I wake up, which on a Sunday can be anytime, and there is a routine I have had for the last 40 years or so of my existence on Sunday mornings and isn’t about to be broken now, which is: coffee and a morning print paper).

First, the ground rules: This treasure hunt will be open only to BSN Denver subscribers. I will show all the items here, in a “free” story, but starting tomorrow, all the clues as to where to find them will be hidden behind the paywall. So, go ahead and subscribe now. It’s only a couple bucks a month, on average, and well worth it. Nobody covers the Denver sports scene like we do. Here’s the link to subscribe. The more you help us, the more we can do for you: 

I will hide these items in random locations. I will leave a clue as to each one, on a rolling basis throughout the day. You’ll have to keep checking the site tomorrow to get the clues to the next item. I want anyone who finds an item to SEND ME A PHOTO OF YOU WITH IT, to dater@thednvr.com. That way, I can show you off to the world, and also check the item off the list as still being available or not.

OK, here are the items available, 13 in all. I think all of them are really cool. They all harken back to the glory days, which, let’s face it, make them more valuable as time passes. I realize that people who don’t live in Denver and subscribe to BSN are shut out from this. Not much I can do about that, but I have a plan for that too in the future. When/if I’m on the road again for games, I will hide something in that city and leave a clue for you in that city.

First up: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 1996 COLLECTOR’S EDITION

This is my personal copy mailed to me in 1996. Don’t worry about me giving my address away down below. That was three or four addresses ago. Some great writing in this by Michael Farber, who I will forever brag about being a colleague of for a couple years, when I wrote a lot of hockey for SI.

2001-02 TOPPS AVALANCHE TEAM SET

Great set of Topps cards here, of the 2001-02 Avs (including a card of Ray Bourque, even though he never played that season). All are in pretty much mint condition, and include all the stars.

PETER FORSBERG ACTION FIGURE I

A McFarlane action figure of Foppa, with the figure on a swivel. It’s cool.

PATRICK ROY UPPER DECK BOBBLEHEAD

2001-02 edition, comes with a trading card. Never opened.

MCFARLANE JOE SAKIC ACTION FIGURE

Never-opened, nicely done figurine of Super Joe here. The artist did a nice job on this one.

AUTOGRAPHED 2008 TEAM MINI-STICK

I figure this will be one of the more desired items. It’s a mini-stick made for the 2008 Western Conference playoff series between the Avs and Red Wings, autographed by 13 players from the Avs. Joe Sakic and Adam Foote’s signatures included (no Forsberg). These signatures were gathered at the start of the 2008-09 season, which is why it includes Tony Granato’s signature. This was Sakic’s last season, don’t forget.

RAY BOURQUE STANLEY CUP BOBBLEHEAD

Very nice item. It even looks like him.

CHRIS DRURY BOBBLEHEAD

Why did they trade this guy again?

GIANT JOE SAKIC FIGURINE

This thing is about 16 inches tall. Never opened.

1989 TOPPS JOE SAKIC ROOKIE CARD

Joe Sakic, when he wore No. 88 with the Quebec Nordiques. This is a valuable card.

2001 UPPER DECK AVALANCHE/PEPSI CENTER ALL-STAR GAME CARDS

Very hard-to-find set of cards here, made of the Avalanche players that participated in the 2001 NHL All-Star Game at the Pepsi Center.

ROB BLAKE-BRENDAN SHANAHAN, AVS-WINGS FIGURINES

A big-box item here. Never opened.

1996 PETER FORSBERG CARD

Never can have enough Foppa.

1997 PETER FORSBERG FIGURE II

See above.

2001 STANLEY CUP VICTORY PHOTO

Very nice framed photo here of the ’01 champs. Who knew Martin Skoula could get so excited?

Happy hunting to all. I will give some notice tomorrow of when it’ll start, on my twitter feed @adater.