If you’re Canadian a fan of hockey collecting, you’re probably already tracking Classic Auctions’ June 2025 sale, which closes on the 24th. It’s packed with vintage memorabilia, game-worn gear, and a few surprises—including one I didn’t even know existed: 1965-66 Hood Ice Cream “Playing Better Hockey” booklets.
The featured lots, currently drawing the highest bids, are a trio of iconic hockey jerseys: Bobby Orr’s 1968–69 Boston Bruins jersey (already at $119k), Mark Messier’s 1981–82 Edmonton Oilers jersey, and Brian Leetch’s 1989–90 New York Rangers jersey. Serious game-used gear from three legends.
But the lot I want to highlight is #484 which includes a group of four Playing Better Hockey booklets.
I had no idea these hockey versions even existed. I’ve written in-depth about the baseball and basketball editions before, so discovering this hockey set was a fun surprise.
Classic Auctions has sold a full 12-booklet set before. Back in November 2015, a complete run went for $298.75. These days, if you’re patient, you can usually find individual copies on eBay for around $10 each.
Everything a player needed to know to play better hockey in the mid-1960s was offered in these seldom-seen instructional booklets issued by Hood Ice Cream, an American company. From conditioning to skating, passing and shooting, to goalkeeping, equipment, rules and strategy, it’s all examined in cartoon-type drawings in the 15-page booklets (approx. 3-1/4” x 5”). Condition is attractive here with half near mint and the other six exhibiting only light handling and wear. The back cover of each booklet includes the facsimile autograph of then Boston Bruins coach Milt Schmidt, with the Hall-of-Famer offering important words of wisdom; “Don’t settle for being anything but the best. Be a winner by learning the fundamentals and by keeping yourself in peak condition at all times.”
Only four of these booklets were known to exist when Bobby Burrell authored his highly-informative “Vintage Hockey Collector Price Guide” in 2006, so we’ll call this a complete known set of 12.
Classic Auctions – Nov 2015 – Playing Better Hockey Booklets
Here are the photos of all 12.
Whenever a new auction catalog drops—physical or digital—it’s worth taking the time to flip through every lot. The headline items draw attention, but it’s often the overlooked oddballs buried deep in the listings that end up being the most rewarding finds. Classic Auctions’ June 2025 sale is no different.
Happy collecting!
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