Craig Anderson

Date sent: January 21st, 2012
Date received: February 19th, 2012
Total time: 29 days
Total players responses: 413
Total 2012 responses: 16

A nice autograph on this masked mens card by Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators.  The Senators are currently making a late season push to stay in the standings and have been doing so with the goaltending of Craig Anderson.  Let's see how well the Sens do, and how Craig responds with the signing of giant goalie Ben Bishop.

Sami Salo

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: January 27th, 2012
Total time: 366 days
Total players responses: 402
Total 2012 responses: 5

Oft injured Sami Salo returned this card during, you guessed it, his time nursing an injury.  He was injured in the Boston game by Brad Marchand and probably was good enough to sign a few cards from his heyday in Ottawa.  Sami is known for his booming shot which can be very effective on the power play when he has time to load up.  Good thing he's back because now we have him and Edler manning the points to let them rip!  Thanks Sami

Alexei Yashin

Date sent: September 9th, 2011
Date received: September 19th, 2011
Total time: 10 days
Total players responses: 314
Total 2011 responses: 309

Wow! What a great return from Alexei Yashin, and extremely quick too I might add.  I had sent this card c/o home (I think), and returned this card really quickly.  Alexei is a former Ottawa Senator, and there were reports that he would like to return back to Ottawa.  Unfortunately, the Senators do not want him back!  Regardless, thank you for the quick return Alexei.

Daniel Alfredsson

Date sent: January 15th, 2011
Date received: August 31st, 2011
Total time: 228 days
Total players responses: 299
Total 2011 responses: 294

Daniel was one of my first IP signers, as he, and the Ottawa Senators came strolling into town when I was in Calgary.  He was super nice, and signed my cards on a cold (not surprising!) day in Calgary.  I had sent these cards off shortly after, and I'm happy to see him return fan mail!  Danny is the heart and soul of the Ottawa Senators, and will hopefully be able to help them win a cup before he retires in a few years.  Good luck Daniel!

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.   

Mark Lamb

Date sent: February 3rd, 2011

Date received: May 24th, 2011
Total time: 110 days
Total players responses: 243
Total 2011 responses: 238

Mark Lamb?! Who the heck?!  I'll be honest, I sent Mark his card only because I have old spare cards in my hockey collection as a child.  I sent Mark these cards courtesy of the Swift Current Broncos, whom he coaches in the WHL.  Mark wasn't an extremly talented player, racking up just under 150 points in 403 games.  

Pascal Leclaire

Date sent: January 15th, 2011
Date received: May 13th, 2011
Total time: 118 days
Total players responses: 232
Total 2011 responses: 227

I guess most of the non-playoff teams must be cleaning out their mailboxes!  Pascal Leclaire is a good goalie for the Ottawa Senators, but seem to have the worst luck in the world.  While most goalies think they're safe on the bench, Pascal managed to get injured by having a puck strike him in the face.  What a way to get injured, to first be benched by the coach, then get injured! Pay attention!

Ray Emery

Received IP: March 30th, 2011
Total players responses: 173
Total 2011 responses: 168

Ray was recently picked up by the Anaheim Ducks in February of 2011.  He is currently on a hot streak, posting 5 wins in the 5 games he's appeared in, letting in 11 goals in the process.  Ray is well known for his slick style and frequent problem being late to practices.  Thanks for signing Ray, and yes, he did look well dressed today. 

Milan Michalek

Date sent: January 29th, 2011
Date received: March 25th, 2011
Total time: 55 days
Total players responses: 169
Total 2011 responses: 164

Another Ottawa TTM return, this time from Milan Michalek.  Ottawa remains as one of the top teams to return mail to their fans.  Milan has played most of his career with the San Jose Sharks, but was traded in 2009.  Milan has consistently put up 20 goals seasons in the NHL, and with the lack of depth on the Sens team, they'll need every goal they can get!

Bobby Butler

Date sent: February 22nd, 2011
Date received: March 10th, 2011
Total time: 16 days
Total players responses: 121
Total 2011 responses: 116

A super fast return from Bobby Butler came in the mail today.  The undrafted Bobby Butler is currently playing for the cellar dwelling Ottawa Senators, and has 9 points in 20 games.  He signed a two year deal last March and is showing signs of flash in the few games he's played this year.  Hopefully he'll become a staple on the team as they try and rebuild for the future.

Brian Elliot

Received IP: February 10th, 2011
Total players responses: 45
Total 2011 responses: 40

Of course I get Brian Elliot the same day I receive a response from him in the mail (same as Spezza, do'h!).  After the Senators practice, they had come out in their uniforms, dripping in sweat and I really wanted Brian Elliot to sign this Rookie Class card.  Of course, not being a huge Senators fan, and having Brian's face always hidden, he was one of the two goalies practicing today.  The first goalie came out, and I handed him Elliot's card.  He looked at it and said "This isn't me." oops! I had accidentally handed Robyn Lehner the wrong card.  Why do I have to make a fool of myself in front of NHL players.. why?  Of course Elliot came out after, and I got him to sign.  I wish I had a better memory =(

Sergei Gonchar

Received IP: February 10th, 2011
Total players responses: 44
Total 2011 responses: 39

Sergei Gonchar was one of the players that I didn't get the first time I had seen the Senators, but luckily for me I was able to nab him the second time!  Gonchar was nice enough to sign this hockey card for me as well as other memorabilia that two other people had.  Thanks for signing Sergei!

Erik Karlsson

Received IP: February 10th, 2011
Total players responses: 43
Total 2011 responses: 38

I managed to nab the last remaining Ottawa players that I wanted to get, but didn't from yesterday.  Luckily a fellow IP hounder was able to tell me that the Senators were practicing here in Calgary again before their game against Edmonton.  Thanks for signing Erik! One card is all I wanted.  Although the signature is a bit messy.

Brian Elliott

Date sent: January 24th, 2011
Date received: February 10th, 2011
Total time: 17 days
Total players responses: 41
Total 2011 responses: 36

Brian Elliot has been the starting goaltender with Pascal Leclaire injured.  Born on April 9th (same as me!), he was drafted 291st overall.  Elliot has been good for the Senators, although the entire team has been sliding for the past few months and slowly into a 1st overall pick for next years entry draft.  Quick signer, thanks Brian!

Mike Fisher

Received IP: February 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 38
Total 2011 responses: 33

Mike Fisher.  Mr. Carrie Underwood.  Regardless of what people call him, he was quite a nice guy, signing everything anyone had (ok, there were only 4 of us there).  Fisher has been one of those players that all teams need to be in their top 6 forwards.  Thanks Mike, and good luck in the future!

Nick Foligno

Received IP: February 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 37
Total 2011 responses: 32

Nick Foligno, son of Mike Foligno, was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2006 entry draft.  Nick, like many of the Ottawa teammates, was extremely receptive to their fans and willing to sign.  During Nick's first NHL goal, he leaped in the air, paying tribute to his father.  Thank you so much for the autograph Nick!

Jason Spezza

Received IP: February 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 36
Total 2011 responses: 31

Who knew I'd be getting Jason's autograph yet again.  I'm definitely not complaining, but am really happy to get his autograph.  One of the stars of the game and really nice guy, as are most of the Ottawa Senators.

Daniel Alfredsson

Received IP: February 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 35
Total 2011 responses: 30

I went to get some IP during the day today after the Sens had practiced, and managed to snag Ottawa's captian.  In general, the Senators were all really nice and willing to sign, unfortunately I didn't know half the players (thus didn't have their cards).  It was a good session, and am super happy to have Daniel's auto!

Jason Spezza

Date sent: January 17th, 2011
Date received: February 8th, 2011
Total time: 22 days
Total players responses: 30
Total 2011 responses: 25

Jason is one of those premier players you'd love to have on your team.  Although the Senators aren't particularly playing their best hockey as of late, he still manages to be one of their top scorers despite being injured for part of the season.  I really like this card before the autograph, now I love it even more!

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!