Jim Slater

Jim Slater

Currently with the Atlanta Thrashers

Fan letter sent: December 22, 2006.

Autograph received: February 28, 2007.

Slater has been a regular in the NHL for the past two years, though he did play 4 games for the Chicago Wolves (AHL)--probably a conditioning stint. He put up some good numbers in College Hockey, when he played for Michigan State University.

Jimmy Carson

Jimmy Carson

Retried player.

Fan letter sent: February 20, 2007.

Autograph received: February 27, 2007.

I sent Carson five cards. He kept two, and signed the other three and sent them back. The cards he kept were a 1987-88 Topps (his RC) and a 1988-1989 Topps.

What's with these guys keeping my cards? Regardless, if I had to prioritize, those two Topps cards were last on my list--the other three are from sets that I am trying (in vain) to get every card signed.

Tuomo Ruutu

Tuomo Ruutu

Currently with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fan letter sent: December 6, 2006.

Autograph received: February 26, 2007.

What's with the epidemic of dried-out markers going around the NHL? This would be a great looking pair of autographs if you could *see* the ink on the cards. Eh, can't win 'em all...and it is still very nice that he signed the cards. Just wish you could see that distinctive signature a bit better.

Al Montoya

Al Montoya

Currently with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 26, 2007.

Montoya hails from Glenview, Illinois--a suburb of Chicago. He has yet to play a game with the Rangers...and it will probably be some time, as the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist in nets. It would be great to see him make it to the NHL soon, though.

Marc Crawford

Marc Crawford

Currently coaching the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: February 13, 2007.

Autograph received: February 24, 2007.

This one is great! A cool coach, a great signature and an awesome hockey card. It looks like that he was cut on his forehead, perhaps, and some of the blood got on his neck. Plus, he looks pissed off. This is one dude you would not want to mess with. Anyway, I'm psyched to have this card finally signed.

Trent Hunter

Trent Hunter

Currently with the New York Islanders.

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 24, 2007.

Hunter used to play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who faced the Chicago Wolves in the 2002 AHL Calder Cup Finals. He was a good player for them, and it's nice to see him as an NHL regular now.

Fred Brathwaite

Fred Brathwaite

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: January 22, 2007.

Autograph received: February 23, 2007.

I'm glad to see that Fred Brathwaite is still playing, and I hope he gets another shot in the NHL, either with Atlanta (the Wolves' parent team), or another NHL team.

Ryan Suter

Ryan Suter

Currently with the Nashville Predators

Fan letter sent: February 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 23, 2007.

For some reason, Suter kept the two cards I sent him (an 05-06 Parkhurst and an 06-07 Fleer), and instead sent me this card from the 05-06 Rookie Class set. Not to sound ungrateful, but...

Jim Howard

Jim Howard

Currently with the Grand Rapids Griffiths (AHL).

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 22, 2007.

Now, that's what I call an autograph! Again, I wish all players would make their signatures as nice and clear as this one. Blue marker, legible as his name and he added his jersey number, 35, too. Overall, very awesome.

Dimitri Patzold

Dimitri Patzold

Currently with the Worcester Sharks (AHL).

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 20, 2007.

Dimitri Patzold has yet to play an NHL game--but the loophole is, if you "appear" with the team, then they can put you on an NHL trading card. I guess Patzold served as a backup at least once last year.

Alyn McCauley

Alyn McCauley

Currently with the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: February 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 20, 2007.

McCauley hasn't seen much action with the Kings so far this season due to a knee injury.

Mark Bell

Mark Bell

Currently with the San Jose Sharks.

Fan letter sent: November 3, 2006.

Autograph received: February 17, 2007.

Bell has been having some off-ice problems this year--with the drunk driving arrest and all. So, I was not expecting my card back any time soon. I did get it back, sporting a nice signature. Unfortunately, the card came back severely creased.

Martin Lapointe

Martin Lapointe

Currently with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fan letter sent: January 15, 2007.

Autograph received: February 17, 2007.

Lapointe is one heck of a player. He does it all--score goals, fight and lead the team. I hope the 'Hawks don't trade this guy, because he's such an asset to the team.

Steve Bernier

Steve Bernier

Currently with the San Jose Sharks.

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 16, 2007.

Nice 'graphs, though the one on the Upper Deck card did not come out as well as the other two. Perhaps I'll stop sending out UD cards...

Glenn Healy

Glenn Healy

Currently a commentator for TSN.

Fan letter sent: January 22, 2007.

Autograph received: February 15, 2007.

Healy played an impressive 14 seasons in the NHL. He also played for the Chicago Wolves in 1998-1999 for 10 games, so sooner or later I hoped to get his auto. A great signer, Healy was careful where he autographed with his blue marker (a blue 'graph over a blue jersey does not look too cool, does it?) I wish all players who signed TTM were as good as this guy.

Manny Fernandez

Manny Fernandez

Currently with the Minnesota Wild.

Fan letter sent: November 17, 2006.

Autograph received: February 14, 2007.

Wow! A successful TTM autograph from a bona-fide NHL superstar. Very awesome indeed. What more can I say?

Chris Cichocki

Chris Cichocki

Currently coaching the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.

Fan letter sent: February 5, 2007.

Autograph received: February 13, 2007.

Cichocki did not play many games in the NHL, but was a prolific scorer in the minor leagues. I'm not sure why he did not get more time in the NHL, but I think it's cool that he's a guy from Detroit who got to play a full season for his hometown Red Wings--and get an actual "rookie card" as a Red Wing (pictured). He's now a coach in the ECHL, and was nice enough to sign my card TTM--and quite fast too (8 days).

Tyler Arnason

Tyler Arnason

Currently with the Colorado Avalanche.

Fan letter sent: November 3, 2006.

Autograph received: February 12, 2007.

Arnason used to play for the Blackhawks. He was one of the first players I wrote to this season. I enclosed one card--of him as an Ottawa Senator. I had a feeling that he would not sign it, but I figured it was worth a try.

Not surprisingly, Arnason did not sign my card. He--or rather, someone from the Avs front office--did enclose a hand-signed postcard though, along with an Avalanche sticker, a form to join the Avalanche Kids', my unsigned card and a form letter:

Greg Pankewicz

Greg Pankewicz

Currently with the Colorado Eagles (CHL).

Fan letter sent: January 22, 2007.

Autograph received: February 10, 2007.

A few months back, The Hockey News reported that Greg Pankiewicz had recorded his 1,500 point as a professional hockey player. Of course, I remember him as a member of the Chicago Wolves. Pankiewicz played 45 games in the 1995-96 season for Chicago, before moving on to another team. I think some NHL club had his rights, and reassigned him to Portland. Anyway, I was glad to hear that this guy was still playing pro hockey. Although not a top scorer for the Wolves, Pankiewicz was an asset to the team.

After learning that he is playing with the Colorado Eagles of the CHL (Central Hockey League, I think), I dug out the only card I had of his--a 1993-94 Classic Pro Prospects card. I've wanted that card autographed since 1995, so I sent it to him along with a fan letter. Within 3 weeks, he sent back my card, signed, along with another signed card he threw in, plus a quick hand-written note. I thought this was super cool of him to do. Not many hockey fans get letters from players.

J. P. Dumont

J.P. Dumont

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: December 8, 2006.

Autograph received: February 8, 2007.

I've been having great luck with getting autographs from Nashville Predators this season. Four of the six players I have written to have sent back my cards signed (Steve Sullivan, Tomas Vokoun, Scott Hartnell and Dumont). The other two I only wrote to within the past two weeks or so...so you can't fault the players, as they might not even have my cards yet (with road games and such).

It is nice to see that, so far, the Predators are such a fan-friendly team. Makes them easier to like when they defeat the Blackhawks.

Scott Hartnell

Scott Hartnell

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: January 22, 2007.

Autograph received: February 8, 2007.

I sent Hartnell two copies of the Parkhurst cards, but he only sent back one Parkie and the Fleer card...maybe he kept it for himself? Doesn't matter, as I'm glad to add these two to my autograph collection.

Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien

Currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals (AHL), but he has spent a few games this season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 3, 2007.

I have high hopes for Byfuglien. He's 6' 3" and 240 lbs. I can't remember the last time the 'Hawks had a big guy on D...probably Steve Smith in the early to mid 90s. And I have no idea how to pronounce "Byfuglien"--but I wonder if his teammates nicknamed him "Fugly"...

George Parros

George Parros

Currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks.

Fan letter sent: December 26, 2006.

Autograph received: February 2, 2007.

Parros is one of the few "tough guys" left in the NHL.

Yann Danis

Yan Danis

Currently playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.

Fan letter sent: January 3, 2007.

Autograph received: February 2, 2007.

Danis is a Montreal Canadiens prospect.

Tom Preissing

Tom Preissing

Currently playing for the Ottawa Senators

Fan letter sent: January 16, 2007.

Autograph received: February 1, 2007.

Preissing hails from Arlington Heights, IL, so I got to support the Chicago-area-born NHLers. He currently leads the league in plus/minus.

Brent Seabrook

Brent Seabrook

Currently with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Fan letter sent: December 26, 2006.

Autograph received: February 1, 2007.

In his 2nd season, this defenseman is frequently in the lineup for the Blackhawks. He played in the "NHL Young Stars Game" this year.

Ray Neufeld

Ray Neufeld

Retired player. Currently coach of the Southeast Blades of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Fan letter sent: December 19, 2006.

Autograph received: February 1, 2007.

A recent issue of "The Hockey News" had an article about Ray Neufeld--sort of a "where are they now". He played in the NHL from 1979 to 1990.