Each month Upper Deck spotlights one of our valued collectors in order that they can showcase their prized collection. The great thing about sports collectors is that they are all so very different in what they collect, how they collect and what they do once they have them. They all share a passion that is seldom found in any other group.

Most people think collecting sports cards is a hobby reserved just for men. However there are more female collectors out there than you might imagine. Some folks got into collecting as a couple, while others got into it with their fathers when they were younger, and some simply got into it because they are just very passionate about sports. Such is the case with Karine Hains, our Collector of the Month from London, England. I had the privilege of meeting her last summer at the National Sports Collectors Convention and I was very impressed with her knowledge of the industry and this hobby we all enjoy so much. We’ll turn it over to Karine to talk a little bit about her collection.

“My name is Karine Hains and I live in London, England. I was born in Québec, but moved here in 2002 and had to adapt to a whole new culture. However, I just couldn’t cope without Hockey and since I couldn’t watch any on the television back then (as it simply wasn’t aired), I decided to rekindle my love of the sport by collecting.

“Growing up, I was a goaltender and it only seemed fair to focus my collection on my idol: Patrick Roy. Since 2005, I’ve been collecting everything I could find of Patrick Roy from cards, jerseys, mini-masks and a variety of other oddball items. Anything I can find I am more than happy to add to the collection. My card collection is now nearing 800 different cards and includes base, inserts, game-used and autographs from all years and brands. I know I am far from having a complete collection, but considering the shipping costs and customs duties I face with each purchase, this is proving to be a marathon rather than a sprint.

“Last August, I attended the 30th National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, Ohio and I really felt like a kid in a candy store. It was pure heaven to see so many cards everywhere (even though Cleveland wasn’t a hockey market)! I also bought a few sealed boxes of cards while I was there and pulled an autographed Sidney Crosby painting card numbered to just 87 copies which I of course traded for some amazing Roy pieces for my personal collection. (BE THE FIRST TO REDEEM THIS CARD AND IT IS YOURS! 08/09 SPA SOTT Triple Giguerre/Nabokov/Turco # to 25 – RRSQYDPD4)

“When I went back home for Christmas in December 2009, I decided to take my Roy jerseys and try to get him to autograph them both. To do so, I attended a Québec Ramparts’ game and as luck would have it, after waiting until past midnight, I finally saw Patrick come out of the restricted area of the Colisée. It was worth the wait as he not only was willing to sign both of my jerseys but he also posed for a photo.

“I hope you enjoyed seeing some pictures of my favorite cards, my autographed mini-mask and jerseys as well as a picture of me with Patrick Roy.”

It’s always thrilling to meet your idols, but especially so when they turn out to be nice enough to give you an autograph and picture. Thanks for sharing Karine!

If you are looking to trade out some of your Patrick Roy items to one of his biggest fans, check in with Karine at [email protected].