The Best Way to Organize Hockey Cards

Jot down the teams you have in your collection, starting in alphabetical order. Include any retro teams you may have, such as the now defunct Hartford Whalers--currently the Carolina Hurricanes--or Quebec Nordiques--now the Colorado Avalanche--with their current incarnations.

Write the name of a team, then write down the names of the players for that team underneath the team name. Flip the cards over and note the card number in the series, then place each player in numerical order.

Repeat for all the remaining teams. Begin at the top right of a sleeve sheet and gently slide the cards in place, in between the plastic cover sheets. Group specialty cards together with their featured players. For instance, cards commemorating a career milestone go alongside their player's regular card in sequential order.

Leave slots in the sleeve sheet open to accommodate cards in the series you have yet to obtain. Beginning with the last team in alphabetical order--as of 2010, the Washington Capitals--place the filled sheets into the binder.

Work your way forward as you place the sheets in the binder. Once full, snap the rings in the binder shut. Place the binder in an easily accessible place, but away from moisture and direct sunlight.