2002-03 Be A Player First Edition - More Rookie Cards Than You May Think!

First Edition includes a number of appealing features for hobbyists. Whether it is the extra-large size of the base set (at 425 cards), the colorful and attractive card designs, the short-printed subsets, a vast selection of 160 different Game-Used Jersey cards, hobby-exclusive memorabilia insert sets such as Team Scoring Leaders and NHL Debut, the spectacular Magnificent Inserts devoted to Mario Lemieux, the He Shoots, He Scores Decoy/Redemption card program, a lower price point... no doubt there is lots to get excited about.

However, rookie card aficionados are advised to take a closer look at one more attribute of First Edition that hasn't received as much attention, a hidden gem if you will!

There is a special offer printed on the backs of all the First Round Draft Pick subset cards. These subset cards focus on active NHLers who were originally chosen in the first round of the annual NHL Entry Draft and are numbered 401-425. The 25 cards in the hobby version of the subset are different from the 25 cards found in the retail version. The special offer reads, "Update your First Round Draft Pick subset! For details on this exciting limited offer featuring 15 additional first round draft picks including 2002-03 rookies, visit our website at www.baptradingcards.com."

Those who visit the website will discover details on how to order this updated subset. There will 15 additional cards available in the hobby version and a different set of 15 cards available in the retail version. The checklists for these sets will be announced on October 31 once the 2002-03 NHL campaign is well under way and a number of new first-round picks from recent drafts have played their first NHL game. NHL and NHLPA-licensed cards of specific players cannot be produced until they skate in their first NHL regular-season game.

"When First Edition was on the drawing board, we were pretty excited about some of the subsets like the First Round Draft Picks," recalls Dr. Brian H. Price, President of In the Game. "We also thought it was a shame that we couldn't include all first-round draft choices who are virtually certain of making their NHL team out of training camp this year. I could think of at least a dozen young potential stars right off the top of my head. That's when we came up with the concept of this Update to the subset. This allows us to produce cards of key players once they've played a game and it also enhances the rookie-card content in the First Edition set."

Collectors are asked to send an index card with their contact information along with four First Edition wrappers and a check or money order ($19.95 U.S. funds or $29.95 Canadian funds) in exchange for the 15-card set. Four hobby wrappers and a check or money order will get you the hobby update version while four retail wrappers and a check or money order will qualify you for the retail update version.

Production quantities of the First Round Draft Pick update sets will be limited. In the Game will continue to accept orders until March 31, 2003 or until supplies are exhausted. These sets will be shipped by April 15th.

"First Edition already has a lot going for it," says Price, "but once the word gets around about these rookie cards featuring some of the most talented players in the NHL, I expect the demand to be very high and we all know what happens when demand exceeds supply."