Panini will feature Howe in 2012 productrs

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 05:36 PM

It sure has been a busy week for hockey legend Gordie Howe.

On Thursday, In The Game announced it would be featuring the hockey Hall of Famer in its 2012 products,  beginning with the Heroes and Prospects set, which is scheduled to hit stores on Feb. 23.

One day later, Panini America announced it had reached a multiyear trading card agreement with Howe.

That’s a lot of Howe, although I wonder why two companies are making this announcement in the same week. But as a collector, it’s definitely good news. Howe remains an iconic figure in the NHL, and any autographs and/or relics will be coveted.

Friday’s deal means that Panini will be able to include autograph and memorabilia trading cards of Howe in its officially licensed hockey products for the first time. Howe also will appear on the company’s packaging and promotional materials.

“When it comes to transcendent hockey superstars, they get no bigger than Gordie Howe,” Panini America CEO Mark Warsop said in a news release.

Howe, 84, helped kick off his status with Panini when he appeared at the company’s booth at NHL Fan Fair on Friday at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

As Panini is an official trading card manufacturer for the NHL, including Howe in its product is a great idea. The former Detroit Red Wings star still represents “old time hockey” to a generation of fans. Having more Howe product out there benefits the collector, and that’s a good thing.