In The Game Introduces Four New Brands To Complete Its 2002-03 Lineup

The new brands include: All-Star Edition (scheduled for release in late January); In the Game-Used (scheduled for release in March); Parkhurst Retro (scheduled for release in March); and Original-Six (scheduled release date TBA).

"When creativity and inspiration are involved, we never seem to have a shortage of ideas around here," said In the Game President, Dr. Brian H. Price. "Coming up with concepts and designs for new sets remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of this business. I believe collectors will respond to each of these new brands with the same enthusiasm as we experience while developing them."

The All-Star Edition is the first-ever card set dedicated to celebrating the annual mid-season spectacle otherwise known as the NHL All-Star Game. It incorporates a 150-card base set consisting of 100 prominent NHL stars in their All-Star uniforms together with a 50-card "Future All-Star" subset. The subset primarily features rookie cards printed using Dufex technology. They will have an extremely limited print run ensuring collectibility.

Another outstanding element in All-Star Edition is the inclusion of a hockey bobblehead in each box of cards. There will be 10 different bobbleheads, and in a hobby first, each will depict the player in his All-Star uniform. They are attractive, colorful, and just plain fun! Every box will also contain one memorabilia card, each of which is distinguished by a piece of All-Star game-worn jersey. No other hockey card manufacturer can offer this.

In the Game-Used is a new brand that will offer one game-worn memorabilia card in every pack! Collectors can look for a wide array of inserts including Game-Used Jersey, Game-Used Stick and Jersey, Goalie Pad and Jersey, International Experience, Magnificent Inserts featuring Mario Lemieux, and many others. Every memorabilia card will have Silver and Gold versions.

The base set for In the Game-Used will consist of 200 cards. Half the set will be printed on shimmerboard stock and will show players in their road uniforms, and the other half on Dufex stock showing players in their home uniforms. There will be 40 rookies in the set, 20 on the shimmerboard stock and 20 on Dufex. These rookies will be extremely limited and highly collectible.

Every pack of In the Game-Used will contain one shimmerboard card, and one Dufex card in addition to one memorabilia card.

Parkhurst Retro is shaping up to be one of the year's most memorable sets. That is because it pays homage to the tradition and continued popularity of the original Parkhurst hockey cards from decades ago. The base set highlights all of today's top NHL stars but presents them on the classic 1951-52 Parkhurst design. Just as exciting is the inclusion of a parallel set produced in the smaller size the original 1951-52 set is noted for.

Parkhurst Retro will also offer an outstanding array of game-used memorabilia inserts. The product remains true to its roots and will be presented in traditional wax-style packaging.

Finally, Parkhurst Original Six is a brand devoted to the six original NHL teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montréal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers. This set will feature players from these teams exclusively. An impressive blend of current players and greats from each of these team's storied histories will be offered. Once again, a vast selection of game-used memorabilia cards will be an integral component in this brand.

"Seeing that we are the only manufacturer that concentrates solely on hockey cards, I firmly believe we offer superior products," explained Price. "Most of us are passionate hockey fans and collectors as well. The results of this are evident in these new brands. We're not pushing product out the door just for the sake of crowding the market. These are sets with a purpose, with an identity, cards that true hockey fans will appreciate. I think they will have as much fun collecting them as we did making them."

Additional details on each of these brands will become available over the next several weeks.

In the Game, Inc. has produced the Be A Player brands of hockey trading cards since 1998-99. The company now has 10 hockey card products slated for release in 2002-03. In addition to the four brands referred to above, their lineup also includes First Edition (released August 21); the Memorabilia Series (released November 21), Between the Pipes (scheduled for February release), Parkhurst (scheduled for February release), Signature Series (scheduled for April release), and Ultimate Memorabilia 3rd Edition (scheduled for May release).