The Upper Deck Artifacts brand is known for producing Memorabilia Cards that are, well, memorable. The new 2022-23 Artifacts Hockey Set is certainly in line with its rich tradition, with 3 Hits per Box, being either Autos, Relics or Tech Inserts. This Artifact Hit was a Threads of Time Relic featuring the former Avalanche star Rob Blake. Mojo Break offered their Congrats to the owner of Colorado in this 3-Box Pick Your Team Break, and rightfully so. Now the General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Blake was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2014, and was ELECTRIC during his time in Colorado, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2001. The 7x All-Star retired with 240 Career Goals and 777 Points.
Now considered a “Suit” as the General Manager of the LA Kings, Rob Blake was originally drafted by the Kings back in 1988.He appeared in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals with the Kings, which was their first Stanley Cup appearance in over 70 years at the time.Blake, however, along with Gretzky and the Kings lost to the series 4-1 to the Canadiens. Blake did win the James Norris Memorial Trophy that year, which is given to the top defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position. He also served as the Kings’ Team Captain for 5 seasons in his initial 11-season stint with the club.
In 2001, Blake was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and was a member of their 2001 Stanley Cup championship team.He finally got to drink from The Cup!That was his only Stanley Cup as a player.
After a 2-season return to Los Angeles, Blake signed with the San Jose Sharks in 2008, retiring as their Captain after the 2009–10 season.4 years later, in 2014, Blake was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame, right around the time he won his SECOND Stanley Cup, but this time with Kings’ front office)
Internationally, Blake played for Canada in 3 consecutive Winter Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2006, winning gold in 2002 and becoming the 11th member of the Triple Gold Club. His best friend is former NHL goaltender Dwayne Roloson, with whom he grew up playing hockey in Simcoe, Ontario. He is also distantly related to Hall of Famer Red Kelly.
In 2008, Blake appeared in the Mike Myers film The Love Guru as himself, and a street (a short street albeit) in his hometown of Simcoe, Rob Blake Way, is named after him.A humble existence for one of Hockey’s greatest Defensemen, and Suits, to ever play/manage the game, respectively.
