McFarlane NHL Sports Picks

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McFarlane Sports Picks is the name given to the line of sports-related action figures released by McFarlane Toys, a company founded by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. The figures feature lifelike renderings of select stars in the four most popular sports in North America - hockey, football, baseball and basketball. The company has official licensing rights to the major professional leagues of each of these sports.

Contents

[edit] Beginnings

An avid sports fan, collector of sports memorabilia and a former part-owner of a professional hockey team (Edmonton Oilers), Todd McFarlane created McFarlane Sports Picks in 2000 with the release of a series of NHL hockey players. The figures were licensed by the NHLPA but not by the league itself; as such, the players' jerseys featured the colours of the teams for which they played, but the NHLPA logo in place of the team logos (which the NHL holds rights to).

The figures proved to be popular enough with fans and collectors that the NHL signed a licensing agreement with McFarlane, allowing future releases to be branded with league and team logos.

Later in 2001, McFarlane Sports Picks released Series 1 of their NHL line, and Series 1 & 2 of their NFL line.

[edit] Chase V.S. Variant

Quoted from Mark Weber (McFarlane: Sports Brand Manager)

Q: What's the difference between a "chase figure" and a "variant?"

A chase figure is a different version (the differences usually involve paint application, but could also be sculpt or accessory changes) of a regular figure, intentionally produced and generally released in limited numbers. For example, Nomar Garciaparra in MLB 9 was painted in his road gray uniform, but there are a small number of the same figure painted in the home white uniform. Those white-uniform Nomar figures are chase figures. All four figures in Spawn Series 16: Nitro Riders were released in both pewter- and gold-washed chase versions in addition to the regular fully painted figures. Almost every sports figure -- and a lesser number of non-sports figures -- has a chase version.

A variant figure is a paint or accessory difference from the “normal” figure that is often unintentional. Sometimes, these are production errors or glitches that occur at the factory and might be released into distribution before the mistake is caught and corrected. An example would be the Redeemer figure from Spawn Series 25 with different gradations of green paint on his wings or the Anthony Thomas figure from NFL 5, some of which had different colored mouthguards"

NHL 13 Alexander Ovechkin regular in white and chase in black.
NHL 13 Alexander Ovechkin regular in white and chase in black.

On April 11, 2008, McFarlane Toys made an announcement on their new chase figures. There will now be a new form of chase figures surfacing on the market. There have been the traditional chases like alternate, third jersey, retro's and throwbacks. Now the release of new chases will be minor tweaks or variations to the current jersey of the regular figure. These are most likely to be removal or addition of captaincies or the addition of patches.

[edit] Packaging

When the NHLPA figures were first released, they were cardback packaged but once the first NHL licensed series came out, McFarlane decided to use "clamshell" blister packaging. Since the Series 1 to Series 14, the figures have had the same packaging design. From the start of Series 15, the company decided to change the packaging design which took on a more "streamline" look. The Series 15 design would eventually evolve into a more compact version at the start of NHL 16 and Legends 6. The amount of space that was reduced would also have an impact on how large the new bases would be and also eliminated the addition of a net for goalies.

On April 11, 2008, McFarlane Toys announced their plans to redesign their current packaging. Instead of having a full blister packaging, they have returned back to their traditional cardback packaging. After their release, there have been mixed reactions from collectors mainly those who like to keep their figures mint on card. The lines to first debut this new packaging is the NFL Legends 4 and their Halo series 2 lines.

Packaging of current NHL figures.
Packaging of current NHL figures.

[edit] Complete list of figures

[edit] NHL Hockey

[edit] NHLPA Series 1 (2000)

-The Paul Kariya figure was packaged in two different ways. Once facing Left, and the other facing right.

Picture of Paul Kariya's NHLPA figure.
Picture of Paul Kariya's NHLPA figure.

[edit] NHLPA Series 2 (2000)

[edit] Series 1 (2001)

[edit] Series 1 Repaints (2001)

  • Tony Amonte, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (Maroon) Chase: None
  • Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: None
  • Curtis Joseph, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: None
  • Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Red)
Picture of Paul Kariya Repaint.
Picture of Paul Kariya Repaint.

-The Steve Yzerman was supposed to be made only in the red jersey but a paint mix up had them produce him in his white uniform. Production halted and eventually the corrected red version was made. There were enough white versions made of Yzerman that eventually there were shipped out as well.

-The goalie bottles can increase the value of the figure. Those with a team logo on them are more valuable than those without.

[edit] Series 2 (2002)

9/11 ribbon can be seen on parts of the figure.
9/11 ribbon can be seen on parts of the figure.

-Both Thornton and Hasek regulars have been mistaken as their chase figures due to the prototype image on the packaging features them in the opposite uniform.

-Just like the players on the ice, the figures in this series include 9/11 patches or markings on some part of the uniform (jersey or helmet) to remember the attacks on the World Trade Center the year before.

-With this series debuting the new Powerade water bottles, a Hasek figure has been seen with an older water bottle like those in Series 1 with the red wings logo. Value on the figure is unknown.

-Though the Red Wings figures have been made in more of a darker red than what they normally wear, there are a few "Pink Haseks" out on the market which have Hasek in a much lighter tone of red.

-Prototype photos of a Dallas Star Brett Hull are around the net. His Star figure was cancelled since he went to the Red Wings after the initial figure was announced.

[edit] Series 3 (2002)

  • Pavel Bure, New York Rangers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Home (White)
  • Mark Messier, New York Rangers, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Away (Liberty 3rd)
  • Mike Modano, Dallas Stars, Regular: Away (Green) Chase: Home (White)
  • Alexander Mogilny, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (White 3rd) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Chris Osgood, New York Islanders, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (Maroon) Chase: Home (White)
  • Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: Home (White)
  • Roman Turek, Calgary Flames, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Black)

-During the production of this series, Mike Modano was produced with a major error having the top part of the team socks in black rather than green. The last wave of figures hitting the market saw the error corrected. Numbers of how many are corrected are unknown but it is quite hard to come by one of them.

[edit] Series 4 (2003)

-The Tommy Salo figure was the same sculpt as the figure's first release in Series 2; the Series 4 figure features Salo sporting the Oilers' alternate third jersey, the logo on which was designed by Todd McFarlane himself.

-There are four versions of the Kovalchuk and Roenick figures that have been mass produced. The difference is on the helmet. There's the Thashers/Flyers text logo and the Thrashers/Flyers image logo, both were produced on the regular and chase figure.

[edit] Series 5 (2003)

Series 5 was unique in that it featured only players on Canadian NHL teams. The figures were available only in Canada, however the McFarlane Toys Collectors' Club allowed limited numbers of the figures to be released in the United States.

  • Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (Navy) Chase: Home (White)
  • Tie Domi, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Marian Hossa, Ottawa Senators, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Red)
  • Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None
  • Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Red)
  • Joe Sakic, Quebec Nordiques, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)

-The Patrick Roy figure were exclusive to Wal-Mart while the Mark Messier figures were exclusive to other retailers such as Toys R Us, Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws etc.

-Production photos showed collectors that the Joe Sakic figure would be produced in his blue Nordiques jersey as a regular, when the figures hit retail, collectors were surprised to find that the blue jersey's were only available at wal-mart and the white jersey available at other retailers. Thus the white jersey Sakic is more common than the blue.

-Marian Hossa, like the NHL 3 Modano was mass produced with an error. The left arm was made with the wrong jersey colours so the regular had the chase's left arm and the chase had the regular's left arm. These would eventually be corrected just like Modano in the last wave and have close to the same value as each other.

[edit] Series 6 (2003)

  • Anson Carter, New York Rangers, Regular: Away (Liberty 3rd) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay Lightning, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Home (White)
  • Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Black)
  • Mario Lemieux (2), Pittsburgh Penguins, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Black)
  • Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Red)
  • Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (Navy) Chase: Home (White)
  • Patrick Roy (2), Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Maroon)
  • Teemu Selanne, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Retro Jets (White)
  • Steve Yzerman (2), Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
Teemu Selanne's retro and regular figure.
Teemu Selanne's retro and regular figure.

-The Teemu Selanne Winnipeg Jets figure was produced in two different versions; a vast majority were made with the #8 jersey he wore after his rookie season but only 13 figures were made featuring his rookie #13 jersey, the year in which when he broke the NHL record for most goals scored by a rookie (76). This figure has been seen on both Avalanche and Jets packaging.

-On February 23, 2008 one of the 13 Selannes surfaced on E-Bay. The starting bid was at $2000.00 US Dollars. The auction ended on March 4, 2008 with the figure totaling 15 bids from nine different bidders to achieve the final value of $8500.00 US Dollars, officially crowning it the most expensive McFarlane figure to date.

-The Steve Yzerman figure was produced to celebrate his Stanley Cup win in 2002, thus no chase was made. Steve Yzerman's initial sculpt had him with facial hair during the last wave of figures, he received an updated head sculpt and has a "clean shaven" look to make it more accurate as to when he won the Cup.

-Patrick Roy had just announced his retirement some time after the lineup was unveiled. TMP was still allowed to produce Roy and took advantage by producing him in his third Jersey. The third Jersey version is hard to come by and is quite valuable.

-McFarlane collectors have complained of the head sculpt of Vincent Lecavalier. The prototype photos have the sculpt looking like the actual player but the finished product looks more like Claude Lemieux. Lecavalier is missing a grey strip on his socks and also he and Khabibulin are missing the lighting bolts on the sides of their pants.

-Notice 2003 was the year that the NHL decided to switch home and away uniforms with each other to give fans the opportunity to see their home team play in their dark colours. Selanne is the only one switched as TMP intended to make him in his Sharks uniform. Since Selanne signed with Colorado in 03, he is listed as "Away (White)" than "Home (White)".

[edit] Series 7 (2004)

  • Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Navy)
  • Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Retro Blackhawks (Red)
  • Peter Forsberg (2), Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Home (Maroon) Chase: Retro Nordiques (White)
  • Marian Gaborik, Minnesota Wild, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Green)
  • Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Eggplant)
  • Dominik Hasek (2), Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: Away (White)
  • Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Maroon)
  • Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues, Regular: Home (Blue) Chase: Away (White)
  • Owen Nolan, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (White 3rd) Chase: Home (Blue)

-In early production photos Todd Bertuzzi's socks were missing the navy striping and the newly added vintage shoulder patch. Eventually these mistake would be fixed but some of the white socked Bertuzzi's made it to retail.

[edit] Series 8 (2004)

Series 8 was another series released exclusively to Canadian retailers.

  • Ed Belfour (2), Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (White 3rd) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: Home (White)
  • Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Red)
  • Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Vintage Canucks (Blue)
  • Gary Roberts, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Retro Flames (Red)
  • Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Kings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Vintage Kings (Yellow)
Trevor Linden in the Canucks away uniform and vintage home uniform.
Trevor Linden in the Canucks away uniform and vintage home uniform.

-The original lineup had a Calgary Flames MacInnis in the works for a release but the license to produce the figure was turned down.

-The Chelios figure uses the same sculpt as the one released in Series 7

-Vintage and Retro. There's a big difference between the two, Vintage refers to a retro jersey that has been brought back into the league for game play such as the Canucks Vintage Blue "Hockey Stick" jersey or the 80's Oilers jersey. Retro refers to a figure sporting a jersey the once wore. 2003 saw Vintage jerseys make a come back for special meetings between teams.

-Many (if not all) Trevor Linden figures were shipped with left-handed sticks, despite his right-handed stance.

[edit] Series 9 (2004)

  • Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Regular: Home (Black 3rd) Chase: Away (White)
  • Martin Brodeur (2), New Jersey Devils, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Red)
  • Sergei Fedorov, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Regular: Away (Eggplant) Chase: Retro Wings (White)
  • Brian Leetch, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (Blue) Chase: Retro Rangers (White)
  • Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins, Regular: Home (Black) Chase: Away (White)
  • Joe Sakic (2), Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Maroon 3rd)
  • Mats Sundin (2), Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Surprise Figure: Brett Hull, St. Louis Blues, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: None

-The Brodeur figure is just like the Yzerman figure in series 6, featuring him celebrating his 2003 Stanley Cup win.

[edit] Series 10 (2005)

  • David Aebischer, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Home (Maroon 3rd) Chase: Away (White)
  • Jarome Iginla (2), Calgary Flames, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: None
  • Jaromir Jagr (2), New York Rangers, Regular: Home (Liberty 3rd) Chase: Away (White)
  • Robert Lang, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Red)
  • Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, Regular: Home (Black) Chase: Away (White)
  • José Théodore (2), Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: Away (White)
  • Joe Thornton (2), Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Black)

[edit] Series 11 (2005)

Series 11 was another series released exclusively to Canadian retailers.

  • Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Home (Blue 3rd) Chase: Away (White)
  • Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (White) Chase: None
  • Nikolai Khabibulin, Winnipeg Jets, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: Away (White)
  • Joe Nieuwendyk, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Michael Ryder, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: Away (White)

-Ales Hemsky's chase figure was mass produced with an error by not having his collar painted on the jersey.

[edit] Series 12 (2006)

With the exception of Crosby, each figure in this series is a re-release of an existing sculpt updated to the new teams the players signed with following the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

  • Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Regular: Home (Black) Chase: None
  • Peter Forsberg (2), Philadelphia Flyers, Regular: Home (Black) Chase: Away (White)
  • Paul Kariya (2), Nashville Predators, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: None
  • Chris Pronger, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Home (Blue 3rd) Chase: None
  • Jeremy Roenick, Los Angeles Kings, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Retro Coyotes (White)

-Though Roenick had played with the Phoenix Coyotes on two different occasions, he left in 2001 before signing back after going from the Flyers and Kings. The figure sports Roenick during his time with them from 1996-2001.

[edit] Series 13 (2006)

  • Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators, Regular: Home (Red) Chase: Away (White)
  • Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers, Regular: Home (Liberty 3rd) Chase: Away (White)
  • Bryan McCabe, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Home (Black)
  • Alex Tanguay, Calgary Flames, Regular: Away (White) Chase: Retro Avalanche (Maroon 3rd)
  • Joe Thornton (2), San Jose Sharks, Regular: Home (Blue) Chase: None
  • Surprise Figure: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Home (Navy)
  • Surprise Figure: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, Home (Navy)
Bryan McCabe and his mohawk.
Bryan McCabe and his mohawk.

-Tanguay was first announced when he was playing for the Colorado Avalanche but during the off season, Alex joined the Calgary Flames. With prototype photos shown of him in his Avalanche uniform, TMP managed to make that version the chase figure. Recently, someone had found a Flames Tanguay with the number 18 instead of 40. Alex never wore the number 18 but it is assumed that TMP made the applicator for the number 18 in case Alex managed to wear that number. So how that applicator was used and thus the #18 Tanguay was released into the market. It is still unknown as to how many made it out of the factory.

-The Ovechkin chase features him in his black jersey but McFarlane made an error on the logo. Instead of the white border, they used gold.

-The Sedin figures are insert figures that never made an appearance in any of the original lineups so they take the pose of an existing figure that closely represents their playing style (just like the NFL Series 11 Jason Elam figure which used Adam Vinatieri's pose). Both Daniel and Henrik share the pose of Rick Nash in their blue jerseys.

-Bryan McCabes chase figure has him without a helmet sporting his mohawk, Bryan's figure is the first in the NHL series to have a no helmet chase (similar to the NFL series.)

[edit] Series 14 (2007)

  • Markus Naslund (2), Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Home (Navy), Chase: Home (Blue 3rd)
  • Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Away (White), Chase: None
  • Marian Hossa, Atlanta Thrashers, Regular: Home (Baby Blue), Chase: None
  • Curtis Joseph (2), Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Away (Blue), Chase None
  • Curtis Joseph (2), Phoenix Coyotes, Regular: Away (White), Chase: None

- Series 14 was unique in the way that it featured a double figure (Curtis Joseph); the two goalies were originally scheduled for a U.S/Canada split with the Oilers Joseph going to Canada and the Coyotes Joseph going to the United States, however TMP changed their minds and decided to share both figures evenly.

- Originally Sidney Crosby (2) was supposed to be in the line-up but due to some issues, he was pushed back to NHL 16. The Hossa figure, originally planned as a surprise repaint was then used to replace the removed Crosby.

[edit] Series 15 (2007)

Exclusive to Canadian retailers.

  • Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames, Regular: Home (Red), Chase: None
  • Roberto Luongo (2), Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (White), Chase: Home (Blue 3rd)
  • Darcy Tucker, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (White), Chase: Home (Blue)
  • Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes, Regular: Home (Red), Chase: None

- Though it was not shown through the original prototype photo's, the Staal figure features the 2006 Stanley Cup patch to commemorate the teams first Championship title.

[edit] Series 16 (2007)

NHL 16 will see the new jersey designs made by the NHL with Reebok hence the figures will be 100% new sculpts.

  • Sidney Crosby (2), Pittsburgh Penguins, Regular: Away (White), Chase: Home (Black)
  • Jaromir Jagr (3), New York Rangers, Regular: Home (Blue), Chase: None
  • Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers, Regular: Away (White), Chase: Home (Black)
  • Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (Red), Chase: None

-Though the New RBK EDGE jerseys do not have them, McFarlane Toys mistakenly applied the NHL Shield on the lower right hand corner of the jerseys on each player. The new EDGE jerseys involved a switch in location for the shields and can be seen on the players collar.

Sidney Crosby (2) in the new RBK EDGE jersey styled sculpt.
Sidney Crosby (2) in the new RBK EDGE jersey styled sculpt.

[edit] Series 17 (2008)

  • Alexander Ovechkin (2), Washington Capitals, Regular: Home (Red), Chase: Away (White)
  • Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres, Regular: Home (Blue), Chase: None
  • Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Regular: Home (Black), Chase: Away (White)
  • Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (Blue), Chase: None
  • Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks, Regular: Away (Black), Chase: None
  • Joe Sakic (2), Quebec Nordiques, Regular: Away (Blue), Chase: None

-The series received two new additions to the lineup with Linden and Sakic. Originally the two were released in NHL 8 and NHL 9. This series will feature the two repainted in their former colours. Linden will be featured in the black "Flying Skate" which he wore when he led the Canucks to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals versus the Rangers. And Sakic, though a Nordiques version has been made in Series 5, an update pose for him was called for.

[edit] Series 18 (2008)

NHL 18 will be another Canadian Exclusive line.

  • Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators, Regular: Away (White), Chase: None
  • Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Home (Blue), Chase: None
  • Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins, Regular: Home (Black), Chase: Away (White)
  • Joe Sakic (3), Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Away (White), Chase: Home (Maroon)
  • Guy LaFleur, Quebec Nordiques, Regular: Away (Blue), Chase: None
  • Mats Sundin (2), Quebec Nordiques, Regular: Away (Blue), Chase: None

-The series consists of 3 newly sculpted poses (Emery, Staal and Sakic) while the rest are repaints of their previous figures (LaFleur, Sundin) or head swaps (Souray/Jagr). -The series is the first time that McFarlane has sculpted tape work on players' sticks instead of using paper tape.


[edit] NHL 19 HYBRID (2008)

NHL 19 will be the first series to combine both current and former NHL stars in one series.

  • Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers, Regular: Away (Orange), Chase: TBD
  • Don Cherry 2, Boston Bruins, Regular: Team Track Suit (Black), Chase: TBD
  • Ryan Smyth 2, Colorado Avalanche, Regular: Home (Maroon), Chase: TBD
  • Alexei Kovalev, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (Red), Chase: TBD
  • Grant Fuhr, Calgary Flames, Regular: Away (Red), Chase: TBD
  • Grant Fuhr, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (Blue), Chase: TBD
  • Tony Esposito, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Home (White), Chase: TBD

-Though the previous Don Cherry figure was made depicting him as a CBC Hockey Night In Canada broadcaster. This second version will be depicting him as the Bruins coach. It will also be the first ever coach figure made in any Sports Picks line. Don's pose is based on a "team practice" which is quite unique. -Fuhr and Esposito were made in those uniforms despite making any major impact on those teams. -Like the Joseph figure in NHL 14, both versions of Fuhr will be made in a 50/50 split.

[edit] NHL 20 (2008)

  • Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Jarome Iginla (3), Calgary Flames, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Nicklas Lidstrom (2), Detroit Red Wings, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Vesa Toskala, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Daniel Sedin (2), Vancouver Canucks, Regular: TBD, Chase: TBD
  • Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames, Regular: Away (White) Chase TBD

-Dion Phaneuf was a last minute add on to the series. He was originally released in NHL 15 but due to the sculpted laces on the jersey, he was not able to have a chase figure in the Flames white jersey due to the designs. Since the new EDGE jerseys supported the laces on the white uniforms, McFarlane decided to take advantage of the opportunity to make Dion in his NHL 15 pose with the EDGE design.

[edit] NHL Legends

[edit] NHL Legends Series 1 (2004)

  • Gerry Cheevers, Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Home (White)
  • Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: Home (White)
  • Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Wayne Gretzky (2), Los Angeles Kings, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: None
  • Frank Mahovlich, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
One of the many Gretzky's McFarlane has produced. Featured above is Gretzky (9) which was produced with that wrong date stamp on the base.
One of the many Gretzky's McFarlane has produced. Featured above is Gretzky (9) which was produced with that wrong date stamp on the base.

Wayne Gretzky (2) is sculpted in the celebratory pose when he broke Gordie Howe's all-time scoring record on Oct 15, 1989.

[edit] NHL Legends Series 2 (2005)

  • Jean Béliveau, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: Home (White)
  • Mike Bossy, New York Islanders, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Retro (White Rangers)
  • Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Blue)
  • Wayne Gretzky (4), Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Wayne Gretzky (5), Los Angeles Kings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Black)

[edit] NHL Legends Series 3 (2006)

  • Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings, Regular: Away (Purple) Chase: Home (Yellow)
  • Tony Esposito, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None
  • Wayne Gretzky (6), New York Rangers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Liberty 3rd)
  • Pete Mahovlich, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: Home (White)
  • Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Home (White)
  • Don Cherry, Regular: Plaid Suit Chase: None

-Don Cherry is a one of a kind figure of the coach and host of Hockey Night in Canada. The figure features Cherry with his bull terrier, "Blue".

[edit] NHL Legends Series 4 (2006)

  • Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Orange)
  • Wayne Gretzky (8), Edmonton Oilers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None
  • Bobby Orr (2), Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Away (Black/Sepia)
  • Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Darryl Sittler, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None

-The Bobby Orr figure is sculpted to commemorate Bobby's goal to help Boston win the Stanley Cup in 1970. The chase figure is of the exact same jersey but in sepia tone to make it look like it was taken out of the newspaper. -Gretzky's eighth figure depicts him when he helped the Oilers win their first championship title in 1984.

[edit] NHL Legends Series 5 (2007)

  • Guy LaFleur, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None
  • Wayne Gretzky (5), St. Louis Blues, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: None
  • Bobby Hull (2), Winnipeg Jets, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: None
  • Bobby Orr, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None

-The Bobby Orr figure replaces the previously announced Don Cherry (2) figure. The Orr figure will be in his first pose depicting him during his Blackhawks days.

-The majority of the series features repaints (Orr and Gretzky: NHL Legends 2 Kings pose) and a head swap with Hull using Jean Béliveau's pose. LaFleur's pose is a 100% new sculpt.

[edit] NHL Legends Series 6 (2007)

  • Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Cam Neely, Boston Bruins, Regular: Away (Black) Chase: Retro (Black "V Jersey" Canucks)
  • Johnny Bower, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: Home (White)
  • Wayne Gretzky (9), New York Rangers, Regular: Away (Blue) Chase: None

-Like the first legends Gretzky figure, McFarlane has made Gretzky in his pose where he broke Gordie Howes scoring record. In this series, Gretzky's pose is supposed to commemorate his last game in the NHL where he is seen holding his left glove in his right hand and waving to the crowd at Madison Square Garden but in fact the pose is actually based on his last game in Canada against the Ottawa Senators which was also his second last game in the NHL.

-From sample pictures shown on the McFarlane message board, It can be seen that the base of Gretzky's figure said "Wayne Gretzky, 1997 Farewell.". Most hockey fans would have known that Gretzky had retired on April 18th, 1999.

-For the first time, Legends Series 6 will be one of the first series along with other McFarlane related lines, to include Todd McFarlane's autograph. 10 packaging inserts from each figure will be randomly inserted into cases. They were signed by Todd while on a visit to his offices in Asia "TMP Asia Ltd.".

[edit] NHL Legends Series 7 (2008)

The line was originally designed as a salute to captains from the "Original Six" teams, but in retrospect, that doesn't build a line with much Canadian impact (only two of the Original Six teams are Canadian). Because of this, Terry O'Reilly has been pushed back to 2009 to make room for a Oilers Messier and Flames Gilmour.

  • Maurice Richard, Montreal Canadiens, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD
  • Mark Messier (3), New York Rangers, Regular: Home (White) Chase: TBD
  • Mark Messier (3), Edmonton Oilers, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD
  • Doug Gilmour, Toronto Maple Leafs, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD
  • Doug Gilmour, Calgary Flames, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD
  • Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD
  • Gordie Howe (2), Detroit Red Wings, Regular: TBD Chase: TBD

-Mark Messiers third pose will see him holding the Stanley Cup in both his Edmonton and Rangers uniform.

[edit] NHL Goalie Nets

With McFarlane switching to a more smaller packaging starting in NHL 16 and Legends 6, goalie bases were reduced in size and the nets were done away with. But McFarlane has made the nets available individually making both a "Modern" and "Classic" nets with matching crease designs available to collectors who still want to include the netting for their favorite figures.

[edit] NHL 3 Inch

McFarlane Toys released their 3 Inch NHL line in 2004. They were initially sold in packs of two but were then released individually.

3 Inch versions of series 10 Jarome Iginla and series 12 Sidney Crosby.
3 Inch versions of series 10 Jarome Iginla and series 12 Sidney Crosby.

[edit] NHL 3" Series 1

  • Jeremy Roenick / Brett Hull (White Flyers Jersey / White Wings Jersey)
  • Joe Sakic(1) / Mike Modano (Maroon Avalanche Jersey / Green Stars Jersey)
  • Mario Lemieux (1) / Jean-Sebastien Giguere (Black Penguins Jersey / White Ducks Jersey)
  • Joe Thornton (1) / Martin Brodeur (1) (White Bruins Jersey / White Devils Jersey)
  • Peter Forsberg (1) / Mats Sundin (1) (White Avalanche Jersey / Blue Leafs Jersey)
  • Saku Koivu / Jarome Iginla (1) (Red Canadiens Jersey / White Flames Jersey)

-Notable errors in this series are the unfixed socks on the Modano like it's 6 Inch version and the skin tone on Koivu and Iginla were switched.

[edit] NHL 3" Series 2

  • Mark Messier (1) / Ryan Smyth (Liberty Rangers Jersey / White Oilers Jersey)
  • Steve Yzerman (2) / Al MacInnis (White Wings Jersey / Blue Blues Jersey)
  • Owen Nolan / Brendan Shanahan (3rd Leafs Jersey / Red Wings Jersey)
  • Ed Belfour (2) / Chris Chelios (3rd Leafs Jersey / White Wings Jersey)
  • Jose Théodore (1) / Ilya Kovalchuk (Red Canadiens Jersey / White Thrashers Jersey)
  • Scott Stevens / Markus Naslund (1) (White Devils Jersey / Blue Canucks Jersey)

[edit] NHL 3" Series 3

  • Peter Forsberg (2) (Black Flyers Jersey)
  • Marion Gaborik (White Wild Jersey)
  • Jarome Iginla (1) (Black Flames Jersey)
  • Jaromir Jagr (1) (White Rangers Jersey)
  • Nikolai Khabibulin (Red Hawks Jersey)
  • Nicklas Lidstrom (White Wings Jersey)
  • Trevor Linden (White Canucks Jersey)
  • Alexander Moginly (Red Devils Jersey)
  • Chris Pronger (3rd Oilers Jersey)
  • Jeremy Roenick (White Kings Jersey)
  • Marty Turco (White Stars Jersey)
  • Steve Yzerman (1) (Red Wings Jersey)
  • Jose Theodore (1) (Red Canadiens jersey)
  • Mats Sundin (1) (Blue Leafs jersey)
  • Ed Belfour (2) (3rd Leafs jersey)

[edit] NHL 3" Series 4

  • Sidney Crosby (Black Penguins Jersey)
  • Markus Naslund (1) (White Canucks Jersey)
  • Alexander Ovechkin (White Capitals Jersey)
  • Jaromir Jagr (1) (Liberty Rangers Jersey)
  • Ryan Smyth (3rd Oilers Jersey)
  • Daniel Alfredsson (1) (Red Senators Jersey)
  • Joe Thornton (1) (Blue Sharks Jersey)
  • Joe Sakic (1) (3rd Avalanche Jersey)
  • Ilya Kovalchuk (Navy Thrashers Jersey)
  • Jarome Iginla (2) (Red Flames Jersey)
  • Mats Sundin (1) (3rd Leafs Jersey)
  • Saku Koivu (White Canadiens Jersey)

[edit] NHL 3" Series 5

This series will feature the players (minus Brodeur) repainted in their new EDGE uniforms but the sculpts have not changed.

  • Henrik Lundqvist (White Rangers Jersey)
  • Roberto Luongo (Blue Canucks Jersey)
  • Alexander Ovechkin (White Capitals Jersey)
  • Miikka Kiprusoff (Red Flames Jersey)
  • Jose Theodore (Burgundy Avalanche Jersey)
  • Martin Brodeur 2 (White Devils Jersey)

[edit] NHL 3" Series 6

  • Jean-Sebastien Giguere (TBD Ducks Jersey)
  • Ryan Smyth (TBD Avalanche Jersey)
  • Jason Blake (TBD Leafs Jersey)
  • Ray Emery (TBD Senators Jersey)
  • Cristobal Huet (TBD Canadiens Jersey)
  • Sheldon Souray (TBD Oilers Jersey)

[edit] 12 Inch Figures

[edit] 12 Inch Series 1

This series was exclusive to Wal-Mart Canada but were eventually sold in the Spawn Store online.

  • Patrick Roy (Red Montreal Canadiens Jersey)
  • Patrick Roy (Maroon 3rd Colorado Avalanche Jersey)
  • Mario Lemieux (Black Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey)

Since American collectors could not obtain the 12 inch figures, the Spawn Store decided to sell a few through their online website and upon arrival, collectors who ordered the Colorado Avalanche versions were surprised to receive theirs in the white jersey instead of the 3rd jersey. These Roy's are of the most valuable 12 inch figures that McFarlane has produced out off all the sports series he has made.

[edit] 12 Inch Series 2

This series featured two Stanley Cup winning champions that were previously procuded in 6 Inch scale.

  • Martin Brodeur (White New Jersey Devils Jersey - 2003)
  • Steve Yzerman (White Detroit Red Wings Jersey - 2002)

-Steve Yzerman received an updated head sculpt and has a "clean shaven" face to give it a more accurate look as to when he won the Cup.

[edit] 12 Inch Legends Series

This series featured Wayne Gretzky in his second and a completely new third pose that was never released in the 6 Inch scale.

  • Wayne Gretzky (2) (Black Los Angeles Kings Jersey)
  • Wayne Gretzky (3) (White Edmonton Oilers Jersey)

-Eventually Wayne Gretzky (3) had an exclusive version of him in the Blue Jersey that was only available at Wal-Mart. The first wave saw Gretzky produced with white numbers instead of orange which the Oilers wore back then. This error would be fixed and the rest came out correct.

This is the 12 Inch Gretzky only available to Wal-Mart Canada
This is the 12 Inch Gretzky only available to Wal-Mart Canada

[edit] 12 Inch Bobby Orr Exclusive

This 12 Inch Bobby Orr figure was released in 2007 and was available only to Wal-Mart retailers in Canada.

  • Bobby Orr (2) (Black Boston Bruins Jersey)

[edit] Team Canada Series

In 2005, a Team Canada series was released commemorating Canada's win in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey featuring Canadian international players past and present.

  • Wayne Gretzky (4), Regular: Home (White) Chase: Away (Red)
  • Grant Fuhr, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Mark Messier (2), Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Mario Lemieux (2), Regular: Away (Red) Chase: None
  • Martin Brodeur (3), Regular: Away (Black 3rd) Chase: Away (Red)
  • Vincent Lecavalier, Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Joe Sakic (2), Regular: Home (White) Chase: None
  • Jarome Iginla (2), Regular: Away (Black 3rd) Chase: Away (Red 3rd)

12 Inch Team Canada

  • Wayne Gretzky (3) (Red Team Canada Jersey - 1987)

-Brodeur's third figure has him in Dominik Hasek's second pose from Series 7.

-Messier, Gretzky and Fuhr are all in their 1987 Team Canada jerseys while the rest of the lineup are in their 2004 jerseys.

-Like the Legends 12 Inch Gretzky, the Team Canada version also had a Wal-Mart Canada exclusive with him being in the white 1987 jersey.

[edit] NHL Boxsets

[edit] 2002

Team Canada boxsets were exclusive to Wal-Mart Canada while the 2 Packs were exclusive to Toys R Us Canada.

  • Team Canada Box Set 1: Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Curtis Joseph, Chris Pronger (White Jersey)
  • Team Canada Box Set 2: Paul Kariya, Martin Brodeur, Joe Sakic, Eric Lindros (White Jersey)
  • Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Pack: Mats Sundin, Ed Belfour, Alexander Mogilny (White Jersey)
  • NHL 2 Pack: Jose Theodore V.S. Joe Thornton (Theodore: Canadiens White Jersey / Thornton: Bruins Black Jersey)
  • NHL 2 Pack: Tommy Salo V.S. Saku Koivu (Salo: Oilers Blue Jersey / Koivu: Canadiens White Jersey)

-During one of Todd visits to the factories in China, Todd took one of the unassembled left pads from the Brodeur figure and did some minor quality control touch ups. Once finished, Todd initialed the pad T.M. and showed it to the cameraman. After a quick talk with one of the translators telling the workers not to paint over his initials, he told viewers that if anyone was able to locate the figure, they would win a prize. To date, it is not known if the figure has surfaced.

-Originally the Maple Leafs 3 Pack featured Curtis Joseph, and the prototypes were already made. Eventually when Joseph went to Detroit and the Leafs got Belfour, TMP delayed production and made the switch with the goalies.

Mario Lemieux from the Team Canada boxset commemorating Canada's gold medal win in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Mario Lemieux from the Team Canada boxset commemorating Canada's gold medal win in Salt Lake City in 2002.

[edit] 2003

  • Detroit Red Wings 3 Pack: Curtis Joseph, Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman (White Jersey)
  • Detroit Red Wings 3 Pack: Curtis Joseph, Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman (Red Jersey)
  • Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Pack: Mats Sundin, Ed Belfour, Alexander Mogilny (Blue Jersey)
  • NHL 2 Pack: Brendan Shanahan V.S. Rob Blake (Shanahan: Red Wings White Jersey / Blake: Avalanche Maroon Jersey)
  • NHL 2 Pack: Jeremy Roenick V.S. Marty Turco (Roenick: Flyers 3rd Jersey / Turco: Stars White Jersey)

[edit] 2004

  • NHL 2 Pack: Martin Brodeur V.S. Mark Messier (Brodeur: Devils Red Jersey / Messier: Rangers White Jersey)
  • NHL 3 Inch Box Set 1: Brett Hull, Jeremy Roenick, Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, Martin Brodeur, Joe Thornton
  • NHL 3 Inch Box Set 1: Joe Sakic, Mike Moadno, Mario Lemieux, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jarome Iginla, Saku Koivu

[edit] 2005

Both boxsets were Canadian exclusives

  • In the Crease 3 Pack: Ed Belfour, Roberto Luongo, Dominik Hasek (Belfour: Leafs white Jersey / Luongo: Team Canada Red Jersey / Hasek: Senators Black Jersey)
  • NHL Heritage Classic 2 Pack: Jose Theodore V.S. Jason Smith (Theodore: Canadiens Vintage Red Jersey / Smith: Oilers Vintage White Jersey)

[edit] 2006

3 Packs are exclusive to Wal-mart Canada while the 2 Packs are exclusive to Loblaws.

  • Edmonton Oilers 3 Pack: Jason Smith, Ales Hemsky, Chris Pronger (Blue Jersey with 2006 Stanley Cup Playoff Patch)
  • Montreal Canadiens 3 Pack: Saku Koivu, Michael Ryder, David Aebischer (Red Jersey)
  • Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Pack: Tie Domi, Mats Sundin, Tomas Kaberle (Blue Jersey)
The Stanley Cup playoff patches were added on at the last minute to commemorate the Oilers big run in 2006.
The Stanley Cup playoff patches were added on at the last minute to commemorate the Oilers big run in 2006.
  • NHL "Captains Courageous" 2 Pack: Mats Sundin V.S. Daniel Alfredsson (Sundin: Leafs White Jersey / Alfredsson: Senators Red Jersey)
  • NHL "The Battle of Alberta" 2 Pack: Ryan Smyth V.S. Miikka Kiprusoff (Smyth: Oilers White Jersey / Kiprusoff: Flames Red Jersey)
  • NHL "Unfinished Business" 2 Pack: Markus Naslund V.S. David Aebischer (Naslund: Canucks Blue Jersey / Aebischer: Canadiens White Jersey)

[edit] 2008

Second wave of 2 Packs which are exclusive to Loblaws. Again the 2 Packs had a Canadian influence to them are are in their "Pre-EDGE" jerseys. The Howe and Bower 2 Pack are exclusive to Wal-Mart Canada. This is the first time Howe is made in the Wings red jersey.

  • NHL "Calgary V.S. Vancouver" 2 Pack: Jarome Iginla V.S. Roberto Luongo (Iginla: Flames Red Jersey / Luongo: Canucks Navy Jersey)
  • NHL "Toronto V.S. Ottawa" 2 Pack: Bryan McCabe V.S. Jason Spezza (McCabe: Leafs Blue Jersey / Spezza: Senators White Jersey)
  • NHL "Montreal V.S. New Jersey" 2 Pack: Saku Koivu V.S. Martin Brodeur (Koivu: Canadiens White Jersey / Brodeur: Devils Red Jersey)
  • NHL "Gordie Howe V.S. Johnny Bower (Howe: Wings Red Jersey / Bower: Leafs White Jersey)


-The first box sets featured some never before seen players, and recently traded players in their new uniforms. Never before seen players at that time were Koivu, Blake, Turco, Jason Smith and Sakic. Sakic's pose is not the same one as in Series 3, they used Mark Messiers pose from the NHLPA line. Recently traded players Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour got new uniforms because of these sets.

-Meijers a US retailer, got exclusive boxsets of the Leafs and Red Wings 3 packs in their away uniforms.

-The 3 Inch boxsets are exclusive to Loblaws in Canada, the major differences in the figures are the uniform colours. Only a few of the figures have jersey switches, they are Lemieux (White), Sundin (White), Brodeur (Red), Koivu (White), Modano (fixed green socks) and Thornton (Replaced Assistants 'A' with the Captains 'C'.

-The special 2 pack commemorating the Heritage Classic outdoor game in 2003 featuring Jose Théodore and Oilers captain Jason Smith has Théodore's figure wearing a red, white and blue tuque over his goalie mask, just as he wore in the game.

-Initially the following 3 packs were to be produced:

  • Vancouver Canucks 3 Pack: Markus Naslund, Roberto Luongo, Trevor Linden
  • Ottawa Senators 3 Pack: Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredson
  • Calgary Flames 3 Pack: Jarome Iginla, Alex Tanguay, Miikka Kiprusoff

But due to some problems with the company and Wal-Mart, they were cancelled except for the Jason Spezza, and Navy jersey Luongo figures which made their appearance in the exclusive Grosnors line and 2008 Loblaws 2 Packs.

[edit] Exclusives

Exclusives ranging from the Spawn Store to events and appearances.

  • NHL Hitz Chris Pronger
  • McFarlane Collectors Club Exclusive Hockey Rink.
  • 3 Inch Jeremy Roenick SGA (NHL 12 pose in Coyotes 06-07 Home Jersey)
  • Mike Modano 2007 NHL All Star Exclusive
  • 3 Inch Curtis Joseph SGA (NHL 6 "Khabibulin" pose in Coyotes 06-07 Away Jersey)
  • 3 Inch Shane Doan SGA (NHL 4 "Iginla" pose in Coyotes 02-03 Home Jersey)
  • Grosnors NHL Exclusive line Series 1: Jason Spezza, Regular: Away (White)
  • Grosnors NHL Exclusive line Series 1: Roberto Luongo, Regular: Home (Navy)
  • Grosnors NHL Exclusive line Series 1: Tomas Kaberle, Regular: Away (White)
  • Marian Hossa 2008 NHL All Star Exclusive
  • 3 Inch Bobby Hull SGA (NHL 9 "Datsyuk" pose in Jets 79-80 Home Jersey)
  • Grosnors NHL Exclusive line Series 2: Mats Sundin, NHL All Star, Regular: (TBD)
  • Grosnors NHL Exclusive line Series 2: Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers, Regular: (TBD)
  • Vancouver Canucks Exclusive Trevor Linden, featuring Linden during the 07-08 NHL Season in the Home (Blue) jersey.
NHL Hitz 2003 Chris Pronger only available through pre-ordering the game at EB Games
NHL Hitz 2003 Chris Pronger only available through pre-ordering the game at EB Games

-McFarlane teamed up with NHL Hitz 2003 creators to have their cover athlete, Chris Pronger in the game uniform that he is pictured in on the cover of the game. The figure was exclusive to EB Games retail stores, Those pre-ordering the game, received the figure for free.

-McFarlane released a hockey rink display which is available as a Collectors Club Exclusive. The rink is to scale with the 6" figures and 1/3 of the actual rink is being made. The rink features boarding and acrylic glass. Also the goal crease, goalie restrictions as well as two face off circles. The rink also includes several advertisement stickers that may be applied to the boards if wanted. The piece will cost $60.00 USD. There is no specific production number just like the McFarlane NBA Backboard.

-Starting in 2007 at the NHL All-Star Game in Dallas Texas. McFarlane Toys produced their first NHL exclusive for this type of event. They specifically produced Mike Modano in NHL 6's Steve Yzerman's pose to commemorate the Star's first Stanley Cup win in 1999. Only 3,000 were produced for the event.

-McFarlane Toys also started off their first SGA promotion with the Phoenix Coyotes by releasing a 3" Roenick in his new team colours which was be released on Dec 21 2006. Soon following Roenick, Curtis Joseph and Shane Doan were made for future home games

-Though sculpted in the original "Pre-EDGE" jersey, the 2008 Hossa exclusive was given a repaint to showcase the Thrashers new EDGE look. It also features the 08 All Star Patch.

[edit] Notable Cancellations

-Plans for a NHL 2 pack featuring 2 players fighting were proposed, but eventually the NHL cancelled the idea in favor to present a better image for the league.

-Before NHL 1, the lineup was supposed to have been NHLPA 3 where they would have a generic logo on their jersys. Luckly McFarlane Toys managed to acquire the license to use authentic logos.

-Prototype figures of Brett Hull (NHL 2) in his Dallas Stars uniform and Pavel Bure (NHL 3) in his Florida Panthers uniform were made. Eventually the players were dealt to different teams and the company managed to have enough time to switch jerseys showcasing them in their new uniforms.

-A proposed 2 pack featuring Mario Lemieux and then rookie, Sidney Crosby was announced in 05-06. Months after the announcement, the plan was discarded due to Lemieux's second retirement from hockey.

[edit] Awards

McFarlane gave fans the opportunity to vote from a select group of figures that were released that year to see which figures their consumers enjoyed the most in a variety of categories. Those would include:

  • Sport Figure of the Year (2003 Only)
  • Best Likeness
  • Best Pose
  • Best Chase/Surprise Figure
  • Best Exclusive
  • Best Boxed Set
  • Best Lineup
  • Best Legend
  • Best Series
  • Best 6-Inch Figure
  • Best 12-Inch Figure

In cronological order starting from 2003 where the McFarlane Action Figure Awards began, the following NHL figures were crowned winners in their category.

[edit] 2003

  • Sports Figure of the Year: NHL 4 Ilya Kovalchuk
  • Best Pose: NHL 4 Ilya Kovalchuk
  • Best Boxed Set: Jeremy Roenick V.S. Marty Turco
  • Best Chase/Surprise Figure: NHL 6 Teemu Selanne (Winnipeg Jets Retro)
  • Best 12-Inch Figure: Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens)

[edit] 2004

  • Best 12-Inch Figure: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)

[edit] 2005

  • Best Chase/Surprise Figure: NHL 10 Mike Modano (Minnesota North Stars)

[edit] 2006

  • Best Exclusive: Collectors Club Exclusive Hockey Rink
  • Best Pose: NHL 13 Henrik Lundqvist

[edit] 2007

  • Best Exclusive: NHL All Star Game Mike Modano

-In the February 2000 issue of ToyFare magazine, McFarlane Toys was awarded Best Toy Company of the Year. The NHLPA Series 1 Paul Kariya figure claimed ToyFare's "Best Sculpting Award".


[edit] Flaws

McFarlane has produced some noticeable flaws throughout the years making sports picks. Ones that would stand out the most would be NHL 3’s Mike Modano’s incorrect sock pattern, NHL 5’s Marian Hossa mix up and the dreaded facial likeness of NHL 6’s Vincent Lecavalier. Though some figures that were made wrong in their prototype stage, some have been corrected like the NHL 7 Bertuzzi but some made it out of the factory before they were fixed.

Vincent Lecavaliers dreaded facial likeness in the finished product.
Vincent Lecavaliers dreaded facial likeness in the finished product.
Early factory error managed to be fixed but some were released into market.
Early factory error managed to be fixed but some were released into market.