NHLPA (Series 2) by McFarlane Toys

Instead of breaking this series up into figure by figure reviews, we decided to do them all in one shot. Something almost all the figures have in common is the industrial-sized metal peg that plugs into the base. This is a plus and minus. Plus: it easily supports the figure when on the base. Minus: getting them to stand on anything but the base (except Boucher who doesn’t have a peg) is impossible. The bases have the player’s names written on them so they won’t be confused. Attention to detail is evidence in the correct colouring and accurate brand names that each player is associated with. (Since these figures are not endorsed by the NHL – a fact pointed out at least five times on the card – you won’t see the team logos but the colours are the same.) An especially good touch for the goalies is the real mesh for the goals. So, all that being said, here are the reviews.

Dominik Hasek: One of the goalies. Excellent base and accessories. He comes with a hockey puck, goalie stick and water bottle. The goal posts snap easily into the base. Hasek’s pose leaves the five-hole way open, but he’s extremely well sculpted. The helmet and pads are especially well done.

Mark Messier: "Moose" looks like he’s about to take a face-off. His limited articulation means he can’t get out of that position. Once again, the sculpt is excellent. He’s got an intense look on his face, much like his real-world counterpart. The "rubber hands" make it extremely easy to get Messier to hold his 

stick. The paint job is very good as well (without oversplash), especially the stubble look. The shape of his base doesn’t really accommodate the pose – he kind of hangs off one side.

Eric Lindros: The likeness is probably the best of the series. Sculpt limits poseability but it is excellent. All the paint is between the lines and everything looks as it should.

JaromirThe long-haired Penguin may be happy to be playing with Lemieux again, but he should be just as happy about this figure. The helmet with visor is a perfect replica of the one he wears in real life. Jagr is in a "pass it to me, I’m open" stance. (Or an "I’m getting ready for a break-away" stance – depends on your mood.) Paint job is, again, excellent.

Pavel Bure: The Weasel looks more weasely here than anywhere else (Can ya tell Omni's a Vancouverite? - Ed.). Canuck fans will enjoy playing floor hockey with him – using him as the puck. The detail and sculpt are both very good, as is the paint job. Of all the figures of the series, Bure is the one that most looks like he’s about to actually start skating. The base is perfect for the pose – the "triangle" shape accommodates his forward leaning stance.

Brian Boucher: Another good action pose. Because Boucher lacks a metal peg, he can be displayed on anything. Of course, it’s not as dramatic as when he’s in front of the net trying to stop a shot. The custom helmet he wears is done with great detail. As with Hasek, the goalie pads look like they’ve actually been used – they have dirty edges and scuff marks. He comes with a goalie stick, puck, and water bottle.

The one advancement with these figures that I would like to see extended to all McFarlane figures is the rubber hands. It makes putting accessories into their hands easy and eliminates the fear you’re about to snap something off. (I’m especially thinking of Abbey Chase from McFarlane’s Danger Girl series.) Obviously, NHLPA (series 2) is targeted at sports lovers and hockey fanatics – two very large groups. People more interested in playing with their toys will probably pass up this series, but for those that want excellent likenesses of their favorite hockey player in some very good poses for display beside their computer or on their mantle during the play-offs, they can do no wrong purchasing this series.

- Omni