Al Secord

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011
Date received: April 17th, 2012
Total time: 330 days
Total players responses: 449
Total 2012 responses: 52

I'm actually really liking Al Secord's autograph.  His printing as well as his signature is probably one of the best I've seen as long as I've been getting TTMs.  I do think that players now a days get so many requests that they're almost forced to limit the amount of characters in their autograph for times' sake.  Regardless I'm super stoked about this autograph, it turned out quite nicely!

Dirk Graham

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: January 26th, 2012
Total time: 365 days
Total players responses: 404
Total 2012 responses: 7

A one year response from old timer Dirk Graham.  Dirk only played for two teams during his 16 year career in the pros.  He was initially drafted by Vancouver in the 1979 entry draft, going 89th overall, but was picked up by Minnesota as a free agent.  Dirk gracefully signed 4 cards for me, all in Hawks uniforms.  Thank you Dirk!

Bobby Hull

Date sent: October 3rd, 2011
Date received: January 26th, 2012
Total time: 115 days
Total players responses: 401
Total 2012 responses: 4

Really? Nothing needs to be said about one of the greats of the game, Bobby Hull.  Wicked shot, super quick and was able to produce a pretty good son!  Super stoked to have received this return from Bobby Hull!

Patrick Sharp

Date sent: March 10th, 2011
Date received: October 20th, 2011
Total time: 224 days
Total players responses: 341
Total 2011 responses: 336

Another good return from Chicago Blackhawker Patrick Sharp.  Playing on the second line with Kane, he's been a very productive scorer.  Slowly increasing his point production every year he's been in Chicago, he'll have another good year as long as he isn't injured.  He recently signed a long term deal with the Hawks, although I don't ever see this guy being less than a 70 point player again.  

Brent Seabrook

Date sent: December 23rd, 2010
Date received: October 19th, 2011
Total time: 300 days
Total players responses: 340
Total 2011 responses: 335

ZOMG! I didn't think I was getting a return from Brent Seabrook, as I've seen returns on message boards/forums with shorter returns.  Regardless, I was happy to get a return from him as he's an all-star defenseman, born in BC!  Although super slim, I'd love to see him a Canucks uniform, as I like it when players end up playing for the cities that they were born closest to.  He'd definitely be a hometown hero.

Jeremy Roenick

Date sent: January 15th, 2011
Date received: August 31st, 2011
Total time: 228 days
Total players responses: 300
Total 2011 responses: 295

Good Ol' JR is my 300th autograph!  Jeremy was a very colorful, outspoken type of player and was always willing to speak his mind.  My favorite moments were a) when he got hit in the face, and he threw water bottles out on the ice and berated the officials after the game to the media and b) starting to bad mouth Patrick Roy, only to have Roy reply about plugging his ears with his Stanley Cup rings.  Who doesn't remember these moments?!

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!).

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. 

Nick Leddy

Received: June 10th, 2011
Total players responses: 248
Total 2011 responses: 243

Nick Leddy is featured in this blog with a really nice FUTURE WATCH card.  This is serialized 817/999 and features a nice photo of Nick.  Nick was a top draft pick in the 2009 entry draft going 16th overall to the Minnesota Wild.  Too bad the auto isn't his full name and just his initials.  I guess I won't be getting a card that looks much better than this though!

Marty Turco

Date sent: February 5th, 2011

Date received: May 15th, 2011
Total time: 99 days
Total players responses: 239
Total 2011 responses: 234

Wow!  Marty Turco signed this SCORE card for me through the mail.  I really liked this card, as you can clearly see it's an action type shot which was captured.  Marty's autograph looks very nice and has added the number 30, which is his current number with the Hawks.  An additional piece of information, Marty has probably the best puck handling skills in the NHL!  Thanks Marty!

Dustin Byfuglien

Date sent: February 1st, 2011
Date received: May 17th, 2011
Total time: 105 days
Total players responses: 222
Total 2011 responses: 217

Oh look.  It's Dustin Byfuglien.  Also known as Big Buff.  He decimated the Canucks last year in the playoffs with his large frame.  Standing at 6'5 and weighing in at 265 lbs, he's a massive man to move.  He was extremely effective around the net, causing all sorts of mayhem.  After winning the cup, he moved on to Atlanta where he signed a nice 5 year deal estimated at 26 million dollars.  Gimme some of that money Dustin! 

Martin Havlat

Date sent: January 19th, 2011
Date received: March 29th, 2011
Total time: 69 days
Total players responses: 171
Total 2011 responses: 166

Drafted 26th overall, Martin Havlat currently plays for the Wild.  Martin is a great player with some soft hands and good wheels.  He was awarded a nice contract with the Wild, a 6 year deal worth 30 million dollars after negotiations fell through with the Chicago Blackhawks.  In his 11 year career in the NHL, he's totaled over 450 points during the regular season and 49 in the playoffs.

Michel Goulet

Date sent: December 30th, 2010
Date received: January 24th, 2011
Total time: 25 days
Total players responses: 13
Total 2011 responses: 8

Hall of Fame player Michel Goulet was a natural sniper in the NHL.  He played for the Nordiques where he tallied 4 50+ goal seasons and for the Hawks.  A real nice addition to my collection and signed extremely fast.  Thanks Michel!