Monday, April 25, 2011

Curtis Glencross

Received IP: April 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 195
Total 2011 responses: 190

Another Flames autograph, this time by Curtis Glencross.  I didn't prep the card very well as the ink didn't stick to the card like I would've liked.  Curtis actually played decent this year, piling up 43 points.  My first (and probably last in person) autograph from Curtis as I was only temporary stationed in Calgary.

David Moss

Received IP: April 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 194
Total 2011 responses: 189

David Moss is a right winger for the Calgary Flames, who he has played his entire career with.  This past season, David was top 10 in Flames scoring.  On a side note, Phil Kessel, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is his cousin.  I really like the auto David Moss has here. 

Mikael Backlund

Received IP: April 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 193
Total 2011 responses: 188

Mikael Backlund is one of the younger players on this older Calgary Flames team.  He was initially drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2007, and made his NHL debut the following year.  Although the pen didn't sit very well on this card, I'm still happy with getting his autograph! 

Alex Tanguay

Received IP: April 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 192
Total 2011 responses: 187

Another sweet autograph by Alex Tanguay.  I bought this card from a card shop (obviously unsigned), but really looked forward to getting it signed.  I've gotten an auto from Alex before, but really liked the layout of this card.  Thanks Alex, and good luck next season!

Jay Bouwmeester

Received IP: April 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 191
Total 2011 responses: 186

Good ol' Jay Bouwmeester!  I got his autograph at one of the very first hounding sessions I did with the Flames.  I was fortunate enough to get his autograph on the last day of the Flames' season, along with many other Calgary Flames players.  I was worried I wouldn't have been able to sign this jersey card, but all is well now!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Nikolai Khabibulin

Received IP: April 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 190
Total 2011 responses: 185

Nikolai signed my hockey card with a full autograph and it looks really great!  It was pretty fun as we were getting his autograph because someone made a comment that it was nicer outside today (for the record, it was pretty cloudy and cold).  Nikolai then slowly looked up and said "oohhh....".  It was probably a lot more funny than what I've written here...

Kelly Buchberger

Received IP: April 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 189
Total 2011 responses: 184

Kelly is currently the assistant coach of the Edmonton Oilers, a team that he was drafted by and played for.  While with the Oilers, he won two Stanley Cups.  Kelly has a lot of work to do if he wants to bring the Cup back to Edmonton.  Good luck Kelly!

Kurtis Foster

Received IP: April 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 188
Total 2011 responses: 183

I got Kurtis Fosters' autograph while the Oilers were in town.  Kurtis is one of the taller players on the team, so it isn't hard to miss him!  Kurtis has played for three other teams before landing in Edmonton.  Thanks for signing Kurtis!

Magnus Paajarvi

Received IP: April 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 187
Total 2011 responses: 182

Another great player for the Edmonton Oilers!  I got a sweet auto from Magnus, but not in the designated area unfortunately.  Magnus has 34 points this year, but ranked among the top in his team in shots.  Edmonton will be a great team in the upcoming seasons, but yet again for the 2nd time in a row, have a high draft pick. 

Friday, April 8, 2011

Andrew Cogliano

Received IP: April 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 186
Total 2011 responses: 181

Edmonton is in town!  This Edmonton team is full of great young players, and I got a few autographs from them.  Andrew is one of these players who is fairly young (age 23).  He is currently 5th on the team in scoring, but at a -12 +/- rating, he'll need to improve on this stat.  Andrew has helped Team Canada win gold at the World Juniors in both 2006 and 2007.  

Dave Semenko

Date sent: February 22nd, 2011
Date received: April 5th, 2011
Total time: 42 days
Total players responses: 185
Total 2011 responses: 180

Dave Semenko is a retired NHL hockey player who played for Oilers, Whalers and the Maple Leafs.  Dave was probably most well known for being the bodyguard for Wayne Gretzky while playing for the Oilers.  Thanks to Dave freeing up space for the more skilled players, he was able to capture the Stanley Cup with the Oil in 1984 and 1985.  

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Brayden Irwin

Date sent: February 13th, 2011
Date received: April 5th, 2011
Total time: 51 days
Total players responses: 184
Total 2011 responses: 179

Brayden Irwin is a young player standing at 6'5 at age 24.  This season, he's been with the Toronto Marlies, scoring 15 points in the 45 games played this season.  Brayden was never drafted, but joined the pro ranks in 2010.  Hopefully he can continue working hard and eventually make it to the NHL.  Good luck Brayden!

Jaroslav Halak

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: April 5th, 2011
Total time: 69 days
Total players responses: 183
Total 2011 responses: 178

Jaroslav Halak was formerly with the Montreal Canadiens, but was released when Montreal had to make the decision on whether or not to resign him.  Fortunately for St.Louis, they did not resign Jaroslav after his fantastic run in the playoffs last season.  It's a shame that St.Louis isn't making the playoffs this season, but Jaro did have some great games as a Blue, and will definitely help them recapture their playoff hopes next season.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Sergei Gonchar

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: April 4th, 2011
Total time: 68 days
Total players responses: 182
Total 2011 responses: 177

Sergei Gonchar currently plays for the Ottawa Senators.  I had gotten his autograph via IP earlier in the season, and wasn't really counting on this card to come back, as I thought Ottawa would be quicker known their TTM return history.  I really like Sergei's autograph, nice and bold signed in black.  Looks great!

Troy Mallette

Date sent: March 11th, 2011
Date received: April 4th, 2011
Total time: 24 days
Total players responses: 181
Total 2011 responses: 176

Troy Mallette was drafted in the 1988 entry draft by the NY Rangers.  He went 22nd overall.  In his 9 NHL seasons, he played a total of 456 games, scoring 51 goals and racking up over 1200 PIMs.  During a game in 1997, he suffered a back injury which eventually led to his retirement.  

Joe Nieuwendyk

Date sent: January 27th, 2011
Date received: April 4th, 2011
Total time: 67 days
Total players responses: 180
Total 2011 responses: 175

Joe Nieuwendyk is the current GM of the Dallas Stars.  As a player, Joe has won three Stanley Cups in three different decades, with three different teams.  Known as one of the best faceoff men in the NHL, he had posted almost a point a game during his career.  Good luck in the playoffs Joe!