Andy Bathgate

Date sent: July 15th, 2011
Date received: July 29th, 2011
Total time: 14 days
Total players responses: 287
Total 2011 responses: 282

Wow!  Another fantastic return from Andy Bathgate, HHOF class of 1978!  These old timers are such a class act.  Even at their old age (78!), Andy still takes the time to sign for his fans.  You can clearly see his writing is getting shaky, but he still pulls through from what I've seen on other people's blogs/threads.  Andy is ranked #8 as the top greatest Rangers of all time. 

Johnny Bower

Date sent: July 14th, 2011
Date received: July 27th, 2011
Total time: 13 days
Total players responses: 286
Total 2011 responses: 281

A return from the Legend himself, Johnny Bower.  Before being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, Johnny was a World War II veteran.  He served with the Canadian Army in the early 40s, but was discharged due to Rheumatoid arthritis.  He started hockey shortly after his stint in WWII, winning 3 Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 60s.  Thanks for the quick return Johnny!  I hope everyone is getting lots of mail, because I'm running low on TTM returns!

Clint Malarchuk

Date sent: June 28th, 2011
Date received: July 26th, 2011
Total time: 28 days
Total players responses: 285
Total 2011 responses: 280

A nice, quick return from Clint Malarchuk.  He signed my card, in a black, beginning to dry Sharpie (I assume).  Clint is probably most known for his on-ice injury which led to him almost dying.  A skate blade had struck his throat during a hockey play, and caused him to bleed profusely.  Clint now is the goaltender consultant for the Calgary Flames.  If you decide to youtube Clint's injury, be warned, you'll see a LOT of blood!

Brian Rafalski

Received: July 25th, 2011
Total players responses: 284
Total 2011 responses: 279

A nice win from Marko over at Marko's Hockey Autos!  I had won this card because I had correctly guessed that Eric Brewer was the mystery autograph.  Thanks a lot Marko, and keep up the fantastic blog!

Rick Wamsley

Received: July 20th, 2011
Total players responses: 283
Total 2011 responses: 278

Yay for Rick Wamsley.  You guys know I'm all about honesty, and if I don't know a player, I'll say it.  This is one of those cases where I haven't heard of Rick Wamsley, so feel free to enlighten me!

Darcy Kuemper

Received: July 20th, 2011
Total players responses: 282
Total 2011 responses: 277

The second hit in my box of ITG, Between the Pipes set I had purchased a few days ago.  Darcy Kuemper, currently part of the Minnesota Wild organization, plays for the Red Deer Rebels.  He recently signed a nice 3 year contract with the Wild in March of this year.  A decent auto that looks longer than it has to be!

Mark Visentin

Received: July 20th, 2011
Total players responses: 281
Total 2011 responses: 276

A nice return from Mark Visentin of the Niagara Ice Dogs.  I got this card from another hobby box, this time from the between the pipes set from ITG.  A decent autograph which is inked in black.  Mark is a young goaltender, having being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2010 entry draft.  All the best in the future Mark!

Braydon Coburn

Date sent: April 1st, 2011
Date received: July 18th, 2011
Total time: 108 days
Total players responses: 280
Total 2011 responses: 275

Yay! Braydon Coburn.  A good young defenseman for the Flyers standing at 6'5".  This card (among another one of him in a Team Canada Jersey which can be found in the Team Canada section of my blog), was sent c/o Ritch Winter, his agent.  It took about 3 months to get this return, but I'm happy with it!  Thanks a bunch Braydon!

Zach Parise

Date sent: June 28th, 2011
Date received: July 19th, 2011
Total time: 21 days
Total players responses: 279
Total 2011 responses: 274

A nice return from Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils!  Zach is a high scoring forward for the Devils, and notched 6 points last season!  That's right, six!  Don't mind the fact that he only played 13 games due to meniscus tear in his right knee, because we all know that anyone can play through that type of injury.  =D

Johan Franzen

Date sent: June 28th, 2011
Date received: July 13th, 2011
Total time: 15 days
Total players responses: 278
Total 2011 responses: 273

A nice return from Johan "The Mule" Franzen.  The Mule is a great player (especially in front of the net) and apparently a great TTM signer!  I believe these cards were sent to the Detroit Red Wings (or maybe his house, I don't keep track!), but came back just two weeks later.  He graciously signed some of my cards and personalized them to "Michl", which I assume is probably the equivalent to Michael in Swedish!

Jennifer Botterill

Date sent: March 18th, 2011
Date received: July 14th, 2011
Total time: 118 days
Total players responses: 277
Total 2011 responses: 272

A nice return from Jennifer Botterill representing Team Canada.  Jennifer has represented Canada in many International tournaments before leaving the game this past year.  I highly recommend sending autographs to her as she has a really nice signature which I am extremely proud of owning.  Thanks Jennifer!

Bill Gadsby

Date sent: June 28th, 2011
Date received: July 12th, 2011
Total time: 14 days
Total players responses: 276
Total 2011 responses: 271

On the same day as one of my longest returns ever, Bill Gadsby ranks among the top of the list in terms of quickest returns.  Fourteen days after I had sent this out, Bill returns this card with a fantastic autograph.  These old timers really know how to please their fans after so many years.  This is my first return from Bill, but man, this is a really nice card and I'm happy to have gotten this one in such a short turn around (including the Canada Post strike too I might add!).

Jay Bouwmeester

Date sent: September 1st, 2010
Date received: July 12th, 2011
Total time: 314 days
Total players responses: 275
Total 2011 responses: 270

Wow! I didn't expect this one to come back, but Jay Bouwmeester returned this one quickly, 314 days to be exact.  One of the players that I sent out early in my TTM career and didn't expect to see this one come back.  I guess good ol' Jay is spending his summer days returning mail instead of hitting up the Calgary Stampede.  Maybe he's not a fan of Will and Kate.  That leaves Alex Kovalev as my longest current letter in the mail.  

Matt Halischuk

Received: July 9th, 2011

Total players responses: 274

Total 2011 responses: 269

YES! A nice autograph from Matt Halischuk of the Milwaukee Admirals.  I know of Matt from his World Junior days playing for Team Canada in 2008.  Matt was initially drafted by the New Jersey Devils, 117th overall, but was traded to Nashville this past season, along with Jason Arnott.  Keep up the great work Matt, you'll be a full time NHL player in no time!

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way!

Andrei Loktionov

Received: July 9th, 2011

Total players responses: 273

Total 2011 responses: 268

I've sent a previous card to Andrei Loktionov through the Manchester Monarchs before.  I have yet to receive anything, but luckily I was able to pull this card from a hobby box of ITG trading cards.  A neat and unique autograph from Andrei and the staff from ITG! 

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way!

David Gilbert

Received: July 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 272
Total 2011 responses: 267

David Gilbert currently plays for the Acadie-Bathurst Titans.  I'll admit (as I have many times), I've never heard of David Gilbert.  I tried to look up some information on him in wikipedia, but they don't have anything under his name! 

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way!

Dale Tallon

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 45 days
Total players responses: 271
Total 2011 responses: 266

A nice return from former Vancouver Canuck and current GM of the Florida Panthers, Dale Tallon.  This is my first TTM return from Dale on a card I'm sure I had bought when I was a wee lad.  Dale was drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1970 entry draft, where he ended up playing about 3 seasons with them.  After his journey in Vancouver, he played the rest of his career split between the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rick Nash

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 162 days
Total players responses: 270
Total 2011 responses: 265

My first TTM return from Rick Nash is a pretty nice one.  Although the blue sharpie doesn't show up the best on this card, I still like it as Rick is a superstar in the NHL.  Hopefully he'll have a much better season this year in Columbus as they acquired a few more star players like Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski.  

Jimmy Howard

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 162 days
Total players responses: 269
Total 2011 responses: 264

Sweet, a good return from Jimmy Howard from the Detroit Red Wings.  Jimmy earned top spot on the Wings within the past few years, which is really good to see for this 64th overall draft pick from 2003.  In 2010, he was a nominee for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the Rookie of the Year.  He eventually lost to Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres, but still had a fantastic season that year.  Thanks for the nice auto Jimmy!

Guy Lafleur

Date sent: June 2nd, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 35 days
Total players responses: 268
Total 2011 responses: 263

Fantastic! Another Guy Lafleur autograph.  Guy continues to be one of the best and most consistent autograph signers out there!  The "Flower" won five Stanley Cups and was the 1st overall draft pick in the 1971 entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens.  Over a point a game player, he retired from the game in '84 and returned back in '88.  I'm super happy that he returned this to me!  Guy! Guy! Guy!

Joe Sakic

Date sent: June 2nd, 2011

Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 35 days
Total players responses: 267
Total 2011 responses: 262

A nice auto by Burnaby Joe himself!  It's my first return of the SP Authentics cards, which I'm really happy about.  It has turned out really nice and I'm glad he signed it in a sweet blue sharpie.  Joe Sakic is up for honors at the Hockey Hall of Fame next season (I believe), so I'm sure he'll get it!  Thanks big Joe!

Travis Zajac

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 45 days
Total players responses: 266
Total 2011 responses: 261

Wow! Finally a return from Travis Zajac.  This is a nice return as I've sent a few to him already.  Travis is a pretty integral part of the NJ line up, although last season saw him score a season low within the past 3 years.  I believe this card was sent to Travis at his house, but not through the Devils.  I'm certain the Devils (along with the Rangers) are one of a few teams who do not send items along to their players to get autographed.

Chris Chelios

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011
Date received: July 5th, 2011
Total time: 43 days
Total players responses: 265
Total 2011 responses: 260

A nice return from Chris Chelios.  I've seen a few returns recently from him, so I was planning on writing to him again c/o Detroit Red Wings, but I guess the postage strike Canada Post just had probably delayed my return.  Regardless, I'm definitely happy I got his auto!  Chris Chelios is a premier defenceman and played for many teams, including the Hawks, Wings, Canadiens and Thrashers. 

Martin Lapointe

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011

Date received: June 28th, 2011 

Total time: 36 days

Total players responses: 264

Total 2011 responses: 259

A nice return from Martin Lapointe, signed on this World Junior Tournament Canada Card when he was a young pup.  Martin is now retired from the game he loved, having a pretty successful career playing almost 1,000 games. He played for many storied franchises, included the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.  Way to go Martin!

Charles-Olivier Roussel

Received: June 25th, 2011

Total players responses: 263

Total 2011 responses: 258

Ok, this has to be one of the worst autographs that I've seen.  Yeah, everyone's signature is different, but I feel this is a little lazy on Charles' part, as I'm sure he was paid good money to sign these cards.  Heck, I could've forged his autograph!  I'm sure Charles did mean well and I am thankful that he did even bother to sign.  As for potential of Charles?  I'm not totally sure!  If you know, fill me in! 

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way! 

Evgeny Dadonov

Received: June 25th, 2011

Total players responses: 262

Total 2011 responses: 257

Evgeny Dadonov is now an NHL player and was drafted 71st overall in the 2007 entry draft by the Florida Panthers.  A very interesting autograph by Evgeny.  I'll be honest, if I saw his autograph on a piece of paper, I would have a heck of a time trying to figure out who signed it, but that's the beauty of having an autograph.  It's yours.

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way!

Sean Couturier

Received: June 25th, 2011

Total players responses: 261

Total 2011 responses: 256

OOHHHH nice! I recently bought my first box of Heroes and Prospects, hoping to get a few hits and some good young prospects so I can send them autographs.  I nailed this Sean Couturier autograph.  Sean went 8th overall in this past entry draft to the Philadelphia Flyers.  A quote from TSN about the type of player Sean can end up being: "He's the best point producer among all the prospects in the draft. And he's got shutdown capabilities like Jordan Staal. - Bob McKenzie".  Not bad I must say!

If anyone doesn't need their ITG H&P points for the 10/11 season, feel free to send them my way!

Jonathan Ericsson

Date sent: January 15th, 2011

Date received: June 17th, 2011
Total time: 153 days

Total players responses: 260

Total 2011 responses: 255

Jonathan Ericsson is here to stay!  This past season, he played the most games he's played in the NHL.  It definitely helps when you have one of the best NHL defensemen in Nicklas Lidstrom playing on your team to take the pressure off of you.  In 2008, Jonathan signed a nice three year, 2.7 million dollar contract.  Great job Jonathan!  

Dany Heatley

Date sent: January 16th, 2011

Date received: June 11th, 2011
Total time: 146 days

Total players responses: 259

Total 2011 responses: 254

Dany Heatley is a natural sniper for the San Jose Sharks.  Unfortunately for Dany, he had his worst production in his career, excluding seasons where he's played a minimal amount of games. With previous seasons in Ottawa and Atlanta, he has now found a home in California as he has a nice long (and extremely pricey) contract with the San Jose Sharks which will see him rake in about 8 million a season.   

Anze Kopitar

Date sent: January 15th, 2011

Date received: June 6th, 2011
Total time: 142 days

Total players responses: 258

Total 2011 responses: 253

Anze Kopitar has been a stud for the LA kings.  With the addition of Mike Richards recently, I can see Anze's point production go skyward.  He's been a fairly consistent point scorer, at a little under a point a game player.  I really like Anze's autograph on this card, although the ink looks like it is dying, please get a new pen Anze.  You can afford it!