Brian Bradley

Date sent: June 29, 2012
Date received: September 13, 2012
Total time: 76 days
Total players responses: 537
Total 2012 responses: 140

A sweet autograph from Brain Bradley, shown here in a Vancouver Canucks uniform. He was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames, 51st overall, and played for a handful of teams, including the Lightning and Leafs. He retired after 10+ seasons due to injuries. Thanks for the autograph Brian!

Greg Adams

Date sent: April 26, 2012
Date received: May 14, 2012
Total time: 18 days
Total players responses: 534
Total 2012 responses: 137

Another return, recieved back in 2012, from Greg Adams. Greg was a former Vancouver Canuck that went undrafted. He got his first big break with the Devils, where in his second season, he recorded 73 points. Later he was traded to Vancouver, along with Kirk Mclean for Patrick Sundstrom and a 4th round pick. Thanks for the auto Greg!

Henrik Sedin

Date received: September 11, 2012
Total players responses: 510
Total 2012 responses: 113

Thanks to Kevin for the Flickr idea for posts!  It'll take some time to get used to, but I'm glad I'm back up and running.  So for today's blog, we have Henrik Sedin, obviously the Canucks captain.  I had recieved Henrik's autograph at a signing he did for EA Sports for the midnight launch of NHL 13.  He gladly signed this card for me and I'm happy I was able to meet him as I got this card scratched off my collection list!  Thanks Henrik!

Paul Reinhart

Date sent: April 14, 2012
Date received: April 27, 2012
Total time: 13 days
Total players responses: 489
Total 2012 responses: 92

Paul Reinhart, obviously, was a former Vancouver Canuck.  He only played for the Canucks for two seasons (the final two of his career), but played most of his career as a Flame.  Paul was initially drafted by the Atlanta Flames, 12th overall, in the 1979 entry draft.  He currently resides in Vancouver, BC and is the son of future NHL star Griffin, Max & Sam Reinhart.  Thanks for the auto Paul!

Richard Brodeur

Date received: March 23, 2012
Total players responses: 465
Total 2012 responses: 68

King Richard Brodeur signed these two cards for me in a blue sharpie at a hockey event I attended.  Extremely kind man and always seems to be friendly to all that approach him.  He's a short man, on current NHL standards, standing at 5'7".  He started his pro career by being drafted by the New York Islanders, but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in the early 80s.  Richard played in 8 Canuck seasons, racking up 126 wins in the process.  Surely a far cry from HHOF goaltender Martin Brodeur!

Mike Brown

Date sent: April 1, 2011
Date received: March 22, 2012
Total time: 356 days
Total players responses: 463
Total 2012 responses: 66

A great return from Mike Brown (part of the Leafs at the time of sending my fan letter), who was a former Vancouver Canuck.  Mike was always a tough guy, but its hard to believe that he's only 27 years old.  I recall him playing for the Canucks many years ago.  In the 200+ games he's played, he has racked up about 400 PIM.  Since playing for the Canucks, he's played for team like Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  

Kirk Mclean

Received IP: April 1st, 2012
Total players responses: 434
Total 2012 responses: 37

Captain Kirk Mclean was one of my favorite hockey players in the early 90s.  He led the Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals vs the NY Rangers in '94 and was integral to their success.  A good goalie, he played for about half a dozen teams, before finally retiring, as a NY Ranger.  Funny how these things come full circle.  

David Musil

Date sent: September 26th, 2011
Date received: April 12th, 2012
Total time: 199 days
Total players responses: 432
Total 2012 responses: 35

David Musil is a Vancouver Giant whom was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers going 31st overall in the 2011 entry draft.  He's a strong defenseman, that can help a bit with the offensive side.  Through 133 games played in the WHL, he's racked up 57 points with a +/- rating of 34.  Standing at 6'3, he could use some extra size to push over opposing forwards.  Good luck David!

Gino Odjick

Date sent: January 26, 2011
Date received: February 28, 2012
Total time: 398 days
Total players responses: 430
Total 2012 responses: 33

A nice return from former Canuck Gino Odjick.  He was one of Vancouvers' tough guys for a number of years, as well as a fan favorite.  I'm always happy to see a well known player, well at least well known to me, send me back a return.  Gino was apart of the 94' cup run back in the day, with the likes of Pavel Bure and Trevor Linden.  Thanks for the auto Gino!

Mike Brown

Date sent: April 1st, 2011
Date received: March 22nd, 2012
Total time: 356 days
Total players responses: 429
Total 2012 responses: 32

Tough guy for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mike Brown.  Mike signed this card for me in just under a year, in a nice blue sharpie.  His autograph is little to be desired, but still glad I got his return.  He signed on my Ultra Rookies card, which must mean it raises about .00000001 cent in value. 

Mikael Samuelsson

Date sent: July 18th, 2011
Date received: January 15th, 2012
Total time: 181 days
Total players responses: 427
Total 2012 responses: 30

A smudged return from Mikael Samuelsson of the Florida Panthers.  Mikael is a decent player, although not known for his blazing speed, he's a player that can bring leadership and experience through winning the cup with the Detroit Red Wings in years past.  Thanks for the return Mikael!

Richard Brodeur

Date sent: January 14th, 2011
Date received: January 18th, 2012
Total time: 369 days
Total players responses: 400
Total 2012 responses: 3

Cool! Number 400 in my total player responses!  I'm super glad I've gotten one of the Canucks all-time great goaltenders' autographs in Richard Brodeur.  "King" Richard was very instrumental in the Canucks' playoff run in the early 80s, but lost (yes, the first time) in the Stanley Cup finals to the NY Islanders.  Shucks :(

Russ Courtnall

Date sent: February 23rd, 2011
Date received: September 19th, 2011
Total time: 208 days
Total players responses: 316
Total 2011 responses: 311

Ahh!! Russ Courtnall, one half of the Courtnall brothers who played for the Canucks during the 90s.  Being from BC, the Courtnalls were obviously fan favorites when they joined the team and helped the team enjoy some success in the 90s.  A little hard to read his auto from this card (and scan), but I'm happy, as usual, with any hockey returns!  Thanks Russ!

Alex Burrows

Received IP: September 14th, 2011
Total players responses: 308
Total 2011 responses: 303

Oh Alex Burrows.  I've gotten Alex many times before, but this was my first autograph ever in Vancouver when I have tried to hound.  I managed to get this autograph during training camp for the Vancouver Canucks, but seemed to have missed the memo they like to sign autographs AFTER practice. 

Dale Tallon

Date sent: May 23rd, 2011
Date received: July 7th, 2011
Total time: 45 days
Total players responses: 271
Total 2011 responses: 266

A nice return from former Vancouver Canuck and current GM of the Florida Panthers, Dale Tallon.  This is my first TTM return from Dale on a card I'm sure I had bought when I was a wee lad.  Dale was drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1970 entry draft, where he ended up playing about 3 seasons with them.  After his journey in Vancouver, he played the rest of his career split between the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sergei Shirokov

Date sent: March 21st, 2011
Date received: May 15th, 2011
Total time: 55 days
Total players responses: 236
Total 2011 responses: 231

Sergei Shirokov is a great young player for the Vancouver Canucks.  I'll definitely need to get a better autograph as you can clearly see that it is bleeding a bit.  I'm extremely thankful for the autograph though, as I'm sure Sergei will crack an NHL lineup one day.  He was drafted 163rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2006 entry draft.

Trevor Linden

Date sent: January 26th, 2011
Date received: May 18th, 2011
Total time: 112 days
Total players responses: 231
Total 2011 responses: 226

Good Ol' Trevor Linden.  Always the type of player to play with his emotions on his sleeve, he's still absolutely famous around the Lower Mainland in BC.  Trevor was drafted by the Canucks in 1988, which featured Mike Modano going 1st overall.  That draft year had some fairly good players, such as Mark Recchi, Tony Amonte, Rob Blake, Teemu Selanne and Jeremy Roenick.  I'm super stoked to get an autograph from Trevor because he's one of the Canucks I actually remember playing!  Smash em' through the glass Trevor.

Corey Hirsch

Date sent: January 16th, 2011
Date received: May 13th, 2011
Total time: 117 days
Total players responses: 225
Total 2011 responses: 220

Yay! I got a rookie card signed by the great Corey Hirsch!  Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but Corey was a decent backup goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks.  He had an above winning percentage in his rookie year with the Canucks, posting 17 wins and 14 losses.  Maybe around Vancouver, Corey will be remembered most for his reddish hair...

Steve Bernier

Date sent: April 2nd, 2011
Date received: May 13th, 2011
Total time: 41 days
Total players responses: 221
Total 2011 responses: 216

Ahh.. Steve Bernier.  I was never really a huge fan of his.  I felt his compete level was as high as it should be, nor was he the power forward that I expected him to be.  He currently plays for the Florida Panthers, after previously playing for the Canucks, Sabres and Sharks.  Steve had his most "productive" season with the Canucks, notching 32 points in 82 games.  I like the silver... kinda.

Kevin Bieksa

Received IP: April 9th, 2011
Total players responses: 216
Total 2011 responses: 211

What a character this Kevin Bieksa is.  He's had many funny soundbites during these playoffs, sometimes directed at former Vancouver players who have made comments about the team.  He's a hard nosed player, and likes to play with lots of emotion.  Odd, I never knew Kevin wore number 25, but I guess he did (according to the UD Game Jersey card!).