Michael Cammalleri

Date sent: January 19, 2011
Date received: July 27, 2012
Total time: 555 days
Total players responses: 502
Total 2012 responses: 105

Wow, this has to be one of the longer returns I've had.  This was a nice return from Mike Cammalleri, the former and current member of the Calgary Flames.  He had played for a season with the Flames, back in the 08-09 season, then returned four years later in a trade for Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a 2nd round draft pick.  Best of luck Mike! 

Carey Price

Date sent: January 21st, 2012
Date received: February 27th, 2012
Total time: 37 days
Total players responses: 428
Total 2012 responses: 31

A nice autograph from Habs' netminder Carey Price.  A great goalie, on an okay team, but obviously they didn't do so well this year.  Carey is an elite goaltender and will help lead the team into the post season.  I've gotten Carey's autograph before, and he's been really nice through in person and TTM, being a very consistent signer.  Thanks Carey!

Saku Koivu

Received IP: February 26th, 2012 
Total players responses: 419
Total 2012 responses: 22

Going along with the Ducks theme, I present you Saku Koivu.  Saku was a long time Montreal Canadien, captaining the team for nine season, but never leading the team to a Stanley Cup.  Now he obviously plays for the Ducks, playing in a secondary role, most likely for his experience and leadership on a young Ducks squad.  Thanks for the signing of the card Saku!

Brian Gionta

Date sent: January 21st, 2012
Date received: February 16th, 2012
Total time: 26 days
Total players responses: 411
Total 2012 responses: 14

Seems like we're doing a flashback here as this is another return from Brian Gionta!  Brian, along side the Montreal Canadiens in general, have been excellent signers.  Brian is the current captain of this historic franchise, but currently have failed in leading his team into the post season.  This is his third year with the Canadiens.  Thanks Brian!

Guy Carbonneau

Date sent: January 17th, 2011
Date received: October 18th, 2011
Total time: 274 days
Total players responses: 338
Total 2011 responses: 333

A lengthy return from Guy Carbonneau, clocked in at 274 days.  A former player and coach of the Montreal Canadiens, he is currently the president of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL.  I'm actually pretty happy about this return, as I'm always excited to see longer returns come back my way (who doesn't?!).  Thanks Guy!

Stephan Lebeau

Date sent: March 11th, 2011
Date received: September 15th, 2011
Total time: 188 days
Total players responses: 313
Total 2011 responses: 308

A pretty nice auto from Stephan Lebeau.  I had initially had planned to have both Stephan and Patrick sign this card, but after a bit of research, it seems as if Patrick is playing hockey in Austria.  I'll wait until he comes back to North America before sending this card out again.  Stephan was a NHL center who played for the Canadiens and the Ducks.  I believe this card was sent to his work, Bishop College School.  Thanks Stephan!

Henri Richard

Date sent: July 18th, 2011
Date received: August 4th, 2011
Total time: 17 days
Total players responses: 290
Total 2011 responses: 285

Nice!  A great return from the great "Pocket Rocket" (excuse the jokes)! I've seen many returns from Henri Richard, and I'm super glad he returned my fan letter in a quick 17 days.  His auto is a bit shaky, but I'm definitely not complaining, considering his age and his consistency.  Thank you so much Henri Richard, you're the best!

Carey Price

Date sent: February 2nd, 2011
Date received: March 15th, 2011
Total time: 41 days
Total players responses: 241
Total 2011 responses: 236

Carey Price is the undisputed goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens.  With Jaroslav Halak leaving to head to St.Louis, Carey will be expected by Habs fans to lead them to a Stanley Cup.  I've gotten Carey Price in person before, but this is my very first return from him.  Thanks for the sign Carey!

Maxim Lapierre

Received IP: April 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 213
Total 2011 responses: 208

Wow!  Max Lapierre has been absolutely outstanding in my books.  I was a bit weary when he came onto our team, as I've heard that he can take some really dumb penalties.  He's stepped up his game on the 3rd line along with Jannik Hansen and Chris Higgins.  Just amazing.  He was also nice enough to take a great picture with my girlfriend!

Chris Higgins

Received IP: April 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 208
Total 2011 responses: 203

Christopher Higgins was a late pickup for the Canucks this year, but boy, has he paid off in spades!  He has scored a few timely goals, but is playing fairly well on this years' Canuck team.  He's played for about half a dozen teams, including the Flames and Candiens.  Standing at 6' and about 200 lbs, Higgins is known mostly for being a power forward.

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.

Kyle Chipchura

Received IP: March 30th, 2011
Total players responses: 178
Total 2011 responses: 173

Born and raised in Westlock, AB, Canada, Kyle is playing, on average, half a season each season during his NHL career.  He was initially drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, 18th overall in the 2004 entry draft.  His career year came in his rookie year with the Montreal Canadiens where he posted 11 points in 36 games.  Keep up the great work Kyle!

Maxim Lapierre

Received IP: March 12th, 2011
Total players responses: 132
Total 2011 responses: 127

Max Lapierre, brought in to be an agitator and add some playoff experience to this Canucks squad.  So far, he's been a bit quiet, but hopefully he'll get more used to his role and the limited amount of playing time on the fourth line.  Good luck with the Canucks Maxim! 

Alex Tanguay

Received IP: March 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 119
Total 2011 responses: 114

Another sweet autograph from Alex Tanguay.  Although it wasn't exactly where I would have liked it, I'm still very happy that he signed it at all!  Alex is a fantastic player, and a really nice guy! 

Sergei Kostitsyn

Received IP: March 6th, 2011
Total players responses: 112
Total 2011 responses: 107

Sergei, a Belarusian hockey player, has played for both Montreal and now Nashville.  In the beginning of his career, Sergei, like Andrei, excelled at the Belarusian junior hockey program.  Now he's an integral part of the Predators and recently signed a 1 year deal.  Maybe he isn't as important to the Predators than I had initially thought...

Tomas Plekanec

Received IP: February 19th, 2011
Total players responses: 74
Total 2011 responses: 69

I managed to chase down Tomas Plekanec just after their practice at McMahon Stadium here in Calgary.  He was heading down to the parking lot when a bunch of us waiting for autographs/pictures saw him try and get away.  Nice try Tomas, but you can't get away!  Unfortunately, everyone else had just taken the regular path to the bus and ignored us :(.  That's probably the best way to avoid us asking for your autograph. 

P.K. Subban

Received IP: February 18th, 2011
Total players responses: 73
Total 2011 responses: 68

P.K. Subban is one of the young stars in the game today.  He obviously plays for the Canadiens and signed my playoff rookie card of him.  I really wish I had a thicker marker than the thin tip sharpie I had, but I guess you live and learn!

Carey Price

Received IP: February 18th, 2011
Total players responses: 72
Total 2011 responses: 67

Finally! I got Carey to sign my card, and like the few people who signed for us before, Carey was willing to take pictures and sign for all.  I'm really happy with this, as the pen was nice and thick... I can't remember if he had his own pen or I had my own.  Thanks Carey, for being so nice!

Brian Gionta

Received IP: February 18th, 2011
Total players responses: 71
Total 2011 responses: 66

I guess I have some really bad timing, as a lot of the teams I'm starting to get IP autographs from I had sent months ago are starting to come in.  I got Brian's autograph today and he was very good, taking pictures with everyone and signing whatever people had.  A key player in the Canadien's success, although he's quite a short player, on NHL standards.  I was even taller than him and I'm about 5'8!

Lars Eller

Received IP: February 18th, 2011
Total players responses: 70
Total 2011 responses: 65

The Canadiens are in town and I was able to get a few Canadiens' autographs today.  Many of them didn't sign, but about 5 of them were willing to, although I don't blame the rest who didn't since it was really cold out today.  Luckily I got who I wanted!  Thanks for signing Lars.  The picture is a bit crooked, so maybe I'll try to re-scan it later on.