AHL

The Gift Giver’s Guide to the Crunch’s Garage Sale (The Sequel)

by
Alexandra Ackerman
November 14, 2021

SYRACUSE, N.Y.– The Syracuse Crunch debuted their Garage Sale last year as a way to help the team get through the hockey-less days of the pandemic. Without a steady stream of revenue coming in from ticket sales and game night merchandise tables, the organization needed some way to make money, and the fans needed some way to stay connected to their team. Enter the Garage Sale concept, where a few members of the front office found anything and everything they could put a price tag on – new and old items, limited editions from collections, used team memorabilia and clothing, etc. – and put it up for sale, just like a yard or garage sale.

The idea was a success, with fans enjoying the charming, nostalgic, and often rather random items available for purchase. Last holiday season, I wrote a gift guide to the sale, assisting our readers with all of their holiday shopping needs. It’s that time of year again, and with the Garage Sale still going strong and filled with new items to browse and buy, I thought it was high time for an updated installment.

Pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate, gather around the fire-like glow of your screen, and let me help you shop for your friends and relatives!

For the military veteran…

…I recommend forward Simon Ryfors‘ Military Appreciation nameplate from Syracuse’s November 10th, 2021 game. The nameplate has the date of the game and a camo design and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

For the person who was at the team’s Opening Night in 1994…

…(and brings it up every time you mention Syracuse, the Crunch, or hockey) I recommend any of the nameplates featuring the original Crunchman mascot from Syracuse’s 2021 Opening Night. Currently, the players available are Charles Hudon, Maxim Cajkovic, Gabriel Dumont, Tyler Bird, and Gage Goncalves. Show your appreciation for all those stories about “ol’ time hockey” and the “House of Pain” with one of these old-meets-new nameplates.

For the drinker in the family…

…They will love a Crunch shot glass! It holds 1.75 fluid ounces of the liquid of your choice. Another choice could be a pair of pint glasses, originally given away to season ticket holders during the team’s 25th anniversary season.

For the one who is always losing their water bottle…

…Buy them another one! The blue, logoed water bottle holds 32 ounces and has a wide mouth to make cleaning and chilling easier.

For the camper…

…Living that off-the-grid, camper lifestyle is all the rage lately. A camper mug would be the perfect addition to anyone’s kit (or kitchen counter).

For the Crunch fan who missed that giveaway…

… There are actually a few highlights for that fan who always regretted missing that one giveaway or specialty/event item. The first is a 2012-13 Eastern Conference Championship mini banner. It looks great hanging at home or at the office (if they still have an office). The same can be said of the mini banner celebrating the Crunch’s 2018-19 North Division Championship. There’s a commemorative button from the 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic, something that would look perfect gracing a backpack or bag. The sale also features the popular Season of Unity t-shirts from the 2020-21 season, when Syracuse had a joint affiliation with both Tampa and Florida. The shirts are super soft and comfortable. Another option could be this autographed Hockey & Heels promotional poster, signed by the likes of Yanni Gourde and Jonathan Marchessault.

For the fan that loves their melon…

…Get them the beanie from Love Your Melon! Fifty percent of the net profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to nonprofit organizations worldwide that lead the fight against pediatric cancer.

For the person you give an ornament to every year…

…Here’s one in Crunch colors, with the logo front and center. We all have that person – a boss, a teacher, a younger family member – so why not Crunch up their tree this Christmas? It’s shatterproof!

For the one with a stocking that still needs to be stuffed…

…There’s a pack for that! The Stocking Stuffer Pack includes a cowbell, mini stick, plush Crunchman doll, and a reusable bag. For another stocking stuffer idea, why not check out the Beads of Courage hockey clip or this souvenir puck from the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, the first outdoor game in AHL history, signed by Jordan Smotherman.