1997-98 Donruss Studio

Stopped into a hobby shop that I've never been into before seeking penny sleeves earlier today and noticed a box of cards sitting on the shelf  behind the counter that I haven't seen in a very long time for sale - 1997-98 Donruss Studio.  I used to love the look of these cards as a kid and I still do; so for only $2 a pack I picked up two of them to rip to go along with my penny sleeves purchase.  Each pack comes with two portraits and five cards.

Pack 1

Felix Potvin and Brian Leetch portraits.



Ray Bourque - 28 - Played 21 seasons with the Bruins and became its longest-serving captain.  First in all-time points scored by a defenceman and eleventh in all-time points scored with 1,579.  Career leader in shots on goal with 6,206.  Third in all-time cumulative plus-minus with 528.  A five-time Norris Trophy winner.  An eighteen time All-Star.  Bourque finished off his career with the Colorado Avalanche where he won the Stanley Cup in his last NHL game.  He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, the first season he was eligible. 

Mike Richter - 59 - Richter was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of fame in 2008.  Nice card showing off his iconic Liberty mask.

Felix Potvin - 66 - A Potvin card to go along with the portrait that came inside this pack.  I was a huge fan of Potvin as a kid and still miss his days as a Leaf.  Like the Richter card, Potvin is showing off his iconic 'The Cat' mask.  Speaking of Felix, if anyone has an address for this guy to send a custom card I'm looking for it.

Jeremy Roenick - 40 - As a brief Coyotes fan in the late 90s Roenick was one of my favorite guys.  I remember pulling this card back in 97 and being super happy about it.

Mikael Renberg - 49 - I remember Renberg donning a Flyers outfit more than as a Bolt.  Renberg would return with the Flyers in mid-98.

Pack 2

Ziggy Palffy and Chris Osgood portraits.

Vincent Damphousse - 76 - Press Proof Gold /250.  I managed to pull a Gold Press Proof parallel from the grab.  These Gold Press Proof cards are extremely tough to find having been limited to a stated print run of only 250 total cards made.

Martin Brodeur - 20 - Love how the goalies include their masks in the photos, another one here of a future Hall of Famer.

Janne Niinimaa - 100 - Niinimaa was another favorite player of mine in the lates 90s.  I have this card already somewhere but still love the pull.

Luc Robitaille - 53 - Robitaille became the second player in NHL history to record 1,000 points after being drafted as low as the ninth round.  He also hold the career record as a left-winger for goals and points.  Luc was inducted into the Hockey Hall of fame in 2008.  It's nice to have his portrait done in a Kings jersey as opposed to a Rangers (the action shot on the reverse shows him in the later); as he would be re-acquired by the Kings at the start of the 97-98 season.

Anson Carter - 33 - Carter had a pretty solid NHL career going before being traded to the Rangers in 2003.  After playing less than a season with New York he would be shifted throughout the league to five different teams in under three seasons.

Still a very solid looking base set in my opinion, had fun breaking these cards and pulling a Gold parallel was an extra.  Now to find something to put these 8 x 10s in.