Alexei Ponikarovsky

Received IP: February 5th, 2011
Total players responses: 25
Total 2011 responses: 20

Along with the others in my first IP session, I had received Alexei's autograph.  I'll be honest, when I first saw this 6'4 hockey player walk towards us, I had no idea who he was.  Luckily, he hasn't changed much in terms of facial features!  Alexei has been playing pro hockey for about 12 years, divided up into time with the RHL, RSL and the NHL.  His list of teams include the LA Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  His best season in the NHL came when he was with the Leafs and scored 61 pts in 82 games.  Thanks for signing Alexei!

Wayne Simmonds

Received IP: February 5th, 2011
Total players responses: 24
Total 2011 responses: 19

I had received Wayne's autograph as I had gone through my first IP session.  He, among half of the Kings team were willing to sign.  Wayne was drafted 61st overall and is currently a RW for the LA Kings.  Many fans have nicknamed Wayne as "Night-Train Wayne".  

Stephen Weiss

Date sent: January 14th, 2011
Date received: February 7th, 2011
Total time: 24 days
Total players responses: 23
Total 2011 responses: 18

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Stephen played his junior career with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.  He amassed 66 points in 64 games in his first season, then followed up with a performance of 87 points in 62 games.  He was ranked high in North American Central Scouting Report, where he was eventually drafted 4th overall in the 2001 entry draft.  Great player and a speedy response time!

Chris Phillips

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: February 7th, 2011
Total time: 12 days
Total players responses: 22
Total 2011 responses: 17

Mr. Phillips plays for the Ottawa Senators and for the past several seasons, he is one of their heavily relied on defensemen. Drafted 1st overall in the 1996 entry draft, Chris has remained with the Ottawa Senators.  This response came extremely fast, and I like the full signature on this card!   

Vladimir Mihalik

Date sent: January 15th, 2011
Date received: February 4th, 2011
Total time: 20 days
Total players responses: 21
Total 2011 responses: 16

Vladimir is an up and coming superstar for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Drafted 30th overall, he stands at 6'7 and plays defense.  As a comparison, Chara is 6'9.  I'm happy I received this card after only 20 days! 

Ron Tugnutt

Date sent: January 20th, 2011
Date received: February 2nd, 2011
Total time: 13 days
Total players responses: 20
Total 2011 responses: 15

Ron Tugnutt had quite a lengthy career with several teams in the NHL.  Currently an assistant coach for the Peterbrough Petes in the OHL, he spent some time as a color commentator for CBC and as a goaltending coach. Thanks for the quick sign Ron!

Al MacInnis

Date sent: January 15th, 2011
Date received: February 1st, 2011
Total time: 17 days
Total players responses: 19
Total 2011 responses: 14

Al MacInnis had one of the hardest shots in the NHL.  Al had won the Hardest Shot competition seven times.  A quote from Mike Luit about Al MacInnis:

"There's hard and then there's Al MacInnis hard. I tried to get out of the way. If it happens too often, you have to sit down and re-evaluate what you're doing with your life." - Mike Luit

Thanks for the quick sign Al!

Steve Thomas

Date sent: January 20th, 2011
Date received: February 1st, 2011
Total time: 12 days
Total players responses: 18
Total 2011 responses: 13

Steve Thomas played for 20 season in the NHL.  He played for the Wings, Devils, Leafs, Hawks, Ducks and Islanders.  Although undrafted, Steve went on to have quite a good career in the NHL, amassing 1235 games and 933 points.  Great career Steve!