Bobby Baun

Date sent: May 28, 2012
Date received: June 8, 2012
Total time: 11 days
Total players responses: 538
Total 2012 responses: 141

A great return from Bobby Baun, Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni. Bobby played in the 50s, 60s and 70s in the NHL and had obviously helped the Leafs win cups in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. Bobby was one of the hardest, cleanest hitting players of his time. Thanks for the autograph Bobby. It looks fantastic!

Ben Scrivens

Date sent: April 16, 2012
Date received: May 4, 2012
Total time: 18 days
Total players responses: 529
Total 2012 responses: 132

A quick 18 day turn around from Ben Scrivens, one half of the goaltending tandem in Toronto. He, alongside James Reimer will need to carry the workload until a deal gets done (perhaps with Roberto?). I'm super happy that he signed this card as this is my very first return from him. Thanks a lot Ben!

Dion Phaneuf

Date sent: April 26, 2012
Date received: September 10, 2012
Total time: 137 days
Total players responses: 493
Total 2012 responses: 96

A nice return on this SP Authentics card by Dion Phaneuf.  Dion is the current captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and is probably one of the more consistent signers out there.  Dion was a part of one of the greatest World Junior Teams, way back in 2005 (the time of the last lockout).  Perhaps with this years' lockout, we'll have a nice selection to choose from for the World Juniors.  Thanks for the auto Dion!

Johnny Bower

Date sent: April 14, 2012
Date received: April 25, 2012
Total time: 11 days
Total players responses: 473
Total 2012 responses: 76

A nice return from Mr.Johnny Bower, which was expected as this is wasn't my first return from him.  He was one of the greatest goaltenders of his era and has won numerous awards, including the Vezina in 1961 and 1965.  He helped the Leafs win the Stanley cup for 3 years in the 60s.  Thanks for the auto Johnny!

Felix Potvin

Date sent: February 9, 2011
Date received: March 23, 2012
Total time: 408 days
Total players responses: 464
Total 2012 responses: 67

A nice return from Felix "the cat" Potvin.  Felix was a good goaltender, playing in the 90s and 2000s.  He played for team like Toronto, Vancouver, Boston, Los Angeles and New York (Islanders).  He was drafted 31st overall in the 1990 entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He had played with the Leafs for 7 seasons before being traded to the NY Islanders.  Potvin signed my Chicoutimi Saguenéens/ Toronto Maple Leafs card in a nice blue sharpie.  

Darby Hendrickson

Date sent: January 29, 2012
Date received: March 12, 2012
Total time: 15 days
Total players responses: 431
Total 2012 responses: 34

Another former Canuck Darby Hendrickson signed this Maple Leafs rookie card for me.  Darby is currently the assistant coach for the Minnesota Wild.  Although Darby only played 40 games for the Canucks, I remember him as a good player (although not a top 6 forward).  Thanks for the auto Darby!

Jason Blake

Received IP: February 26th, 2012 
Total players responses: 422
Total 2012 responses: 25

A beautiful autograph from a stud player in Jason Blake.  Ok ok, I kid, but Jason was a decent player in the late 2000's scoring a career high in points with the NY Islanders.  I managed to get Jason's auto while touring California with my girlfriend.  I'm sure she was the one who got this one, as I've gotten Jason before.  Regardless, I'm still always happy to get more autographs from the players who play in the NHL.  Thanks Jason, and good luck next season!

Vincent Damphousse

Date sent: October 11th, 2011
Date received: December 12th, 2011
Total time: 62 days
Total players responses: 389
Total 2011 responses: 384

Retired 6th overall draft pick Vincent Damphousse signed this card, along side 2 others for me.  He was part of the Montreal Canadiens run, and win, of the Stanley Cup in 1993.  During the playoffs that year, Vincent tallied 23 points in 20 playoffs games.  You'd think Vincent had a chance at the scoring title, with 97 points that season, but Mario Lemieux had 160. 

Mikhail Grabovsky

Date sent: N/A
Date received: October 7th, 2011
Total time: N/A days
Total players responses: 325
Total 2011 responses: 320

A nice return by Mikhail Grabovsky has been on an upward trend in every season he's played in the NHL (with the exception of 2009, when he dipped 13 points from his previous season).  I'm hoping that he'll be able to make a HUGE jump this year, as I have him in my hockey pool.  Come on Grabo!

Red Kelly

Date sent: August 4th, 2011
Date received: August 23rd, 2011
Total time: 19 days
Total players responses: 297
Total 2011 responses: 292

Sweet! I got a great return from Leonard "Red" Kelly.  I remember as a child, scratching my head and pushing up my glasses and wondering who Red was.  Being a bit older and the powers of the Internet, I can now tell you readers that Red was an amazing player who helped the Leafs and Red Wings win 8 Stanley Cups!  That's amazing!  In addition, he also was inducted into the HHOF in 1969.  From what I see, he's a super consistent signer!

Wendel Clark

Date sent: June 28th, 2011
Date received: August 9th, 2011
Total time: 42 days
Total players responses: 292
Total 2011 responses: 287

Another great return from one of Toronto's finest, Wendel Clark.  Clark is a former, 1st overall draft pick from the 1985 entry draft.  He was captain of the Leafs, between 1991 - 1994, where I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) he won any cups, but he did bring the Leafs to the post season in 1992, where they lost to Wayne Gretzky and the LA Kings.  Wendel now runs a Grill and Sports Lounge, I shall try it when I go to Toronto!

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!

Dion Phaneuf

Date sent: January 27th, 2011

Date received: June 6th, 2011
Total time: 130 days

Total players responses: 257

Total 2011 responses: 252

Oh Dion, why you gotta take Sean's "sloppy seconds"?  He was selected 9th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 entry draft.  Dion grew up in Edmonton, where his mother was a former figure skater, where she taught him how to skate.   He frequently practiced hockey in his basement where he blew holes through nets while perfecting his slap shot.  I don't mind Dion, he seems like an okay guy, but he is an impact player in today's game (although some may disagree).

Nazem Kadri

Received: June 10th, 2011

Total players responses: 252

Total 2011 responses: 247

Wow! What a pull.  One of the 1st round draft picks from this past years' entry draft.  Nazem Kadri is a great young player with lots of upside and was selected 8th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He played 29 games this season with the big club, tallying 12 points.  Nazem is only one of a few Lebanese born hockey players, having to play in the shadows of hockey greats John Hanna, Alain Nasreddine and Ed Hatoum.   Better step your game up Nazem!

Nik Antropov

Date sent: December 23rd, 2010
Date received: April 15th, 2011
Total time: 143 days
Total players responses: 217
Total 2011 responses: 212

Nik Antropov is a Kazakhstani born hockey player currently playing for the Atlanta Thrashers.  He was initially drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1998, 10th overall. I feel like he's never really met his expectation, scoring a high of 43 points in a single season.  I am thankful for his return though! 

Brayden Irwin

Date sent: February 13th, 2011
Date received: April 5th, 2011
Total time: 51 days
Total players responses: 184
Total 2011 responses: 179

Brayden Irwin is a young player standing at 6'5 at age 24.  This season, he's been with the Toronto Marlies, scoring 15 points in the 45 games played this season.  Brayden was never drafted, but joined the pro ranks in 2010.  Hopefully he can continue working hard and eventually make it to the NHL.  Good luck Brayden!

Phil Kessel

Date sent: March 10th, 2011
Date received: March 23rd, 2011
Total time: 13 days
Total players responses: 165
Total 2011 responses: 160

Phil Kessel currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that is highly scrutinized for their current play and current standings.  The Leafs are somewhat close to making the playoffs, but still have a huge uphill climb if they want to make it.  I'm quite surprised at the speed of this return, but happy nevertheless.  Thanks Phil!

Christian Hanson

Date sent: February 28th, 2011
Date received: March 15th, 2011
Total time: 15 days
Total players responses: 142
Total 2011 responses: 137

Christian Hanson plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs... yeeeaaappppp.

Gary Leeman

Date sent: February 3rd, 2011
Date received: March 14th, 2011
Total time: 39 days
Total players responses: 138
Total 2011 responses: 133

Gary Leeman, former Canuck, Flame, Canadien, Leaf and Blue, signed nicely on the cards that I sent him.  You can see the fold he put in the bottom left corner, as he did with all my cards.  The signature itself is actually quite complete, unlike some players who simply write their initials, or a few lines of up and down.  I really appreciate the time he's put into this.  Thanks Gary!

Niklas Hagman

Received IP: March 8th, 2011
Total players responses: 118
Total 2011 responses: 113

Niklas Hagman, along with Kiprusoff and Jokinen, are the usual suspects to hit the pedal to the medal when they see hounders. Oddly enough, Rene AND Niklas Hagman both stopped, while the usual stoppers ran away.  Maybe they were reversing roles today.