Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: December 1st, 2011
Total time: 66 days
Total players responses: 379
Total 2011 responses: 374
Wow! What fantastic timing to have this blog out for Team Canada member Jonathan Huberdeau. He's currently leading the team in points, with 7 in 3 games played. He has a great future ahead of him, and I'm super stoked I was able to snag his auto. Thanks Jon!
Happy New Year everyone!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 21st, 2011
Total time: 32 days
Total players responses: 378
Total 2011 responses: 373
Great! An auto from former Vancouver Giant Craig Cunningham. He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2010. He was traded by the Giants to the Portland Winterhawks, where he soon became a fan favorite by being aggressive and showing leadership on the ice. He was nicknamed "the hamster".
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 21st, 2011
Total time: 32 days
Total players responses: 377
Total 2011 responses: 372
A very loopy, messy autograph from Greg McKegg of the Erie Otters. He currently is the captain of the team, and is a 3rd round draft pick from the Toronto organization. He seems like he's high up on the depth chart, and will eventually get a few shots in the coming years to be part of the Leafs. Thanks for the auto Greg!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 21st, 2011
Total time: 32 days
Total players responses: 376
Total 2011 responses: 371
Nice, Ryan Johansen is the 4th overall draft pick in the 2010 entry draft and is going to be a great hockey player. He currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but originally from Vancouver, BC. He was part of the 2011 Team Canada team which lost to Team Russia in a monumental collapse. I hope this years' squad doesn't repeat that scenario ever! Thanks Ryan.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 15th, 2011
Total time: 26 days
Total players responses: 375
Total 2011 responses: 370
Kent Simpson, the younger brother of Todd Simpson, is currently toiling in the AHL, right now playing for the Everett Silvertips. At age 36, it's very unlikely he'll play a game in the NHL, but I suppose you never know.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 22nd, 2011
Total time: 45 days
Total players responses: 374
Total 2011 responses: 369
Currently playing for the SJ Sharks, Alex Stalock 112th overall draft pick in the 2005 entry draft. Last season, he made his debut, recording his first victory vs the Phoenix Coyotes. Good job Alex, and thanks for the auto!
Date sent: October 3rd, 2011
Date received: November 17th, 2011
Total time: 45 days
Total players responses: 373
Total 2011 responses: 368
Nathan Beaulieu plays for the Saint John Sea Dogs and now for Team Canada (well, tomorrow). He was selected to play in the World Juniors this year, and I'm super excited to see Team Canada rebound from the heart breaking loss last year to the Russians. He's currently under the Montreal Canadians organization. Good luck Nathan, and Merry Christmas to everyone!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 28th, 2011
Total time: 39 days
Total players responses: 372
Total 2011 responses: 367
Finally an NHL return, although to be fair, lately I've been sending prospects hockey cards to get autographed. John Carlson is a great player for the Washington Capitals. He played his first full year in Washington, piling up 37 points in the process. John definitely has the potential to put up points as he previously scored 76 points in the OHL with the London Knights.
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 14th, 2011
Total time: 49 days
Total players responses: 371
Total 2011 responses: 366
Actually, a very nice autograph from Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames. He was selected in the 1st round, 24th overall by the Calgary Flames and has been slowly been increasing his point total over his time with the Flames.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 15th, 2011
Total time: 26 days
Total players responses: 370
Total 2011 responses: 365
Extremely excited for this return! Ryan Murray is draft eligible for the 2012 entry draft. He's slated to be a top 5 draft pick and perhaps the first defenseman selected, but obviously things can change quickly as I've heard many good things about Matt Dumba. Good luck Ryan!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 17th, 2011
Total time: 28 days
Total players responses: 369
Total 2011 responses: 364
A decent autograph from Rimouski's own Gleason Fournier. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, and hopefully will become one of those late round bloomers that do very well, similar to a Datsyuk or Zetterberg. The blue sharpie in which he used didn't come out as nicely as I had hoped, but it definitely matches with his jersey and color scheme of the entire card. Thanks Gleason!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 14th, 2011
Total time: 49 days
Total players responses: 368
Total 2011 responses: 363
A prospect for the Calgary Flames, Joey Leach is currently playing for his junior squad, the Kootenay Ice. He's a tall player, standing at 6'3, but only 187 pounds. He needs to add some serious muscle on to his frame if he expects to challenge NHL superstars.
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 18th, 2011
Total time: 53 days
Total players responses: 367
Total 2011 responses: 362
Braden Holtby is a 2008 draftee, being picked up in the 4th round by the Washington Capitals. In the 2010/11 season, he was called up to play for the big club, where he won 10 out of 14 games. He's got fantastic potential to be a legitimate NHL goaltender and is currently ranked 2nd on the depth chart according the "Hockey's Future" website.
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 22nd, 2011
Total time: 33 days
Total players responses: 366
Total 2011 responses: 361
Hailing from Victoriaville, QC, Canada, Phillip was considered for this years' Team Canada World Junior squad. Unfortunately for him, he was cut earlier this month, but it must be a fantastic honor to be even considered. Phillip will be returning to his junior team, the Victoriaville Tigres instead of lacing it up for Team Canada come boxing day. Also, it seems as if ITG spelled his name wrong!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 17th, 2011
Total time: 28 days
Total players responses: 365
Total 2011 responses: 360
Let's keep the Heroes and Prospects train rollin' with another return from Travis Morin! He currently plays for the Texas Stars, the AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, but was initially drafted in 2004 by the Washington Capitals. It kind of seems as if Travis will continue on in the minors, but perhaps he's one of the slower developing players and become an NHL mainstay soon enough.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 4th, 2011
Total time: 15 days
Total players responses: 364
Total 2011 responses: 359
Jon is another 1st round draft pick, this time from the Nashville Predators. He played for the Vancouver Giants in his junior years, where he helped the Giants pick up the Memorial Cup in 2007 along side fellow NHL'ers Evander Kane and Milan Lucic. This cup team was coached by current Team Canada coach, Don Hay.
Date sent: June 22nd, 2011
Date received: November 10th, 2011
Total time: 139 days
Total players responses: 363
Total 2011 responses: 358
This time, I have an oldie card to show you guys from Brad Stuart. Brad graciously signed this card, but by no means is this going to be in my Super Valuable collection. Brad is a good defenseman and has played for about half a dozen hockey teams in his 10+ years in the NHL. Currently with the Red Wings, he hopes to win another few Stanley Cups before he retires. He currently sits at 1 Stanley Cup win in 2008.
Date sent: June 22nd, 2011
Date received: November 10th, 2011
Total time: 139 days
Total players responses: 362
Total 2011 responses: 357
Finally, a return from an NHL hockey player (not that I care, a return is a return!). Brandon Sutter is a good, young player, whom is part of the famous Sutter family. He is son of Brent Sutter, coach of the Calgary Flames. He was drafted in the 1st round, and currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 10th, 2011
Total time: 20 days
Total players responses: 361
Total 2011 responses: 356
Joey Hishon is a 17th overall draft pick for the Colorado Avalanche. A very talented offensive player, he's played for Team Canada a few times, where he's racked up 15 points in 12 games. In addition, Joey had a breakout year with Owen Sound, tallying up 87 points.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 8th, 2011
Total time: 19 days
Total players responses: 360
Total 2011 responses: 355
Currently in the minors with the Rockford Icehogs, Kyle Beach is a former 1st round, 11th overall draft pick for the Chicago Blackhawks. Ranked within the top 10 for the Chicago organization in terms of depth, Kyle is a tall guy that will hopefully fill into his frame when he becomes more physically mature. This will help his type of player type, as he is known more for being a power forward.
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 9th, 2011
Total time: 20 days
Total players responses: 359
Total 2011 responses: 354
Decent autograph from Slovakian star Tomas Tatar. He is currently with the Red Wings organization, and will no doubtedly become a staple on this team as he's a skilled forward with great hockey sense. He could be the next Datsyuk/Zetterberg!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 10th, 2011
Total time: 21 days
Total players responses: 358
Total 2011 responses: 353
Great prospect for the Florida Panthers (if that's what we should even be calling him, as he's had a few starts this year), Jacob Markstrom is a tall goalie who takes up a large chunk of the net. He was acquired in the 2008 entry draft, 31st overall. I hope he does become a great goalie. I don't know why, but I really like him! Best of luck Jacob!
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 8th, 2011
Total time: 43 days
Total players responses: 357
Total 2011 responses: 352
Now we're back on track! Quinton Howden is a great NHL prospect for the Florida Panthers. According to "Hockey's Future", he's currently ranked 4th on their depth chart only behind Jonathan Huberdeau, Jacob Markstrom and Erik Gudbranson. Not bad for a team that's had many high draft picks over the course of ... a decade? I believe he'll be helping Team Canada try and recapture Gold this year when playing in the World Junior Championships in Alberta.
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 8th, 2011
Total time: 43 days
Total players responses: 356
Total 2011 responses: 351
OK, SERIOUSLY. Gabriel signed my card (the 2nd one was even worse!) in crayon. I believe this is the first I've ever encountered an autograph in crayon, but have seen it happen before. Quite ugly, and hideous, but I'll take care of it just like all my other autographs......
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 3rd, 2011
Total time: 38 days
Total players responses: 355
Total 2011 responses: 350
Ooohhh.. look at Oliver's autograph! It looks like he just put his last name on this one, so I guess I managed to get a half auto, although it doesn't beat Charles Olivier Roussel's autograph. Luckily for Olivier, he is now regarded as my 350th response over this 2011 season! Congrats Olivier, I hope your NHL career is just as prestigious as this honor you've just been given.
Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: November 2nd, 2011
Total time: 37 days
Total players responses: 354
Total 2011 responses: 349
Short stature Christian Thomas, standing at 5'9 (well, short compared to many NHL players), has been drafted by the NY Rangers in the 2010 entry draft, going 40th overall. As son of Steve Thomas, I'm sure some scouts looked at him due to his father's great NHL career, but I'm positive many others looked at him because he has been among the best during his junior year in hockey based on a post-season poll by coaches. Some of those categories included most improved, hardest shot, best shot and best stickhandler, all great qualities in a young player!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: October 31st, 2011
Total time: 11 days
Total players responses: 353
Total 2011 responses: 348
A former 5th overall draft pick (2010), Nino Niederreiter is a swiss born NHL (super?)star. Currently playing for the NY Islanders, Nino has no points this season (at the time of this blog post at least), but has played only a handful of games due to a groin injury at the beginning of November. He previously had scored 70 points in 55 games playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, so we all know he's able to put up good numbers... in the WHL, that is.
Date sent: March 8th, 2011
Date received: October 31st, 2011
Total time: 237 days
Total players responses: 352
Total 2011 responses: 347
Wow, this is a beauty of an autograph. Some might call it messy, but I really do like the rigid lines of this one. Shannon Szabados is an Edmonton born hockey player, who has represented Team Canada many, many times. She's been part of the Olympic squad who captured gold this past year in Vancouver and helped Team Canada also win in various other tournaments. Thanks Shannon for the great goaltending!
Date sent: October 20th, 2011
Date received: November 1st, 2011
Total time: 11 days
Total players responses: 351
Total 2011 responses: 346
A great, clear auto by Brandon Saad of the Saginaw Spirit! I'm always happy to receive these autographs when the player signs in a clear sharpie which contrasts the players' jersey. He recently was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd round, 43rd overall. He debuted in his first game this year vs the Dallas Stars, but was reassigned back to his junior team only 5 days later.
Date sent: June 22nd, 2011
Date received: November 1st, 2011
Total time: 132 days
Total players responses: 350
Total 2011 responses: 345
Big Adam McQuaid plays for the big, bad Bruins. Standing at 6'4, he's a tall guy, and will hopefully full into his frame and become as big as Zdeno Chara. He gracefully signed this Victory Rookie card in a nice black sharpie pen. Thanks Adam, but I'm still pissed your Boston Bruins beat my Vancouver Canucks!
Date sent: June 22nd, 2011
Date received: November 1st, 2011
Total time: 132 days
Total players responses: 349
Total 2011 responses: 344
Nick Johnson, a former Pittsburgh prospect, currently plays for the Minnesota Wild. He was claimed off waivers on September 29 of this year. I was lucky to get his autograph on this Hot Rookies card, but unfortunately, he signed in a black sharpie, right on his black jersey! Do'h.
