Seven months ago today, Panini America’s Alex Carbajal and Tracy Hackler embarked on a most fascinating voyage. The objective? Document every painstaking step required to transform one game-used hockey stick from Vancouver Canucks superstar Ryn Kesler into a rare handful of unique trading cards.

The journey began in late February with the short drive from Panini America HQ to Dallas’ American Airlines Center, where Kesler’s Canucks were taking on the Stars. Following Vancouver’s tough 3-2 overtime loss during which Kesler scored the game’s first goal, the Canucks’ center, true to his word, emerged from the visiting locker room with game-used stick in hand.