McFarlane Toys has reached an agreement with both the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association to create collectible figures licensed by both.  The new figures, which will be available in September, will include team logos and uniforms as well as the superb likenesses for which McFarlane Toys is known.  The 2001 McFarlane Sports Picks NHL figures will actually be the third series of hockey figures the company has produced.  The first two series were licensed only by the NHL Players Association and did not include team logos or exact copies of the team uniforms, which the third series will sport.

 

McFarlane Toys recently announced a similar agreement with both the NFL and the NFL Players Association (see 'McFarlane Toys Gets NFL License').  McFarlane Toys appears to be the toy company best positioned to take over the once booming sports collectible action figure market.  Kenner (a division of Hasbro) once dominated this category with its 'Starting Lineup Figures' (see 'Hasbro Cuts Starting Lineup'), but with the demise of the 'Starting Lineup' figures, McFarlane Toys has a real opportunity to rebuild the category.  McFarlane's Sport Picks are highly detailed action figures that are designed by people who have a real knowledge of, and feel for, the actual game.  Todd McFarlane himself is a huge sports fan and part owner of the Edmonton Oilers with a love of hockey that runs so deep that it must be genetic.

 

The Third Series of McFarlane NHL Sports Picks will include: Jose Theodore, goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens; Martin Brodeur, goaltender for the New Jersey Devils; Peter Forsberg, center for the Colorado Avalanche: John LeClair, left wing for the Philadelphia Flyers; Mats Sundin, center for the Toronto Maple Leafs; and Ed Belfour, goaltender for the Dallas Stars.  Each figure will stand approximately six inches tall and will include a stick and an ice base, and will be posable in a signature stance. The goalies will come with an ice base, net, stick, puck, and water bottle.  The figures should retail for between $8 and $10.