Andrew Alberts

Andrew Alberts

Currently with the Boston Bruins.

Fan letter sent: February 3, 2007.

Autograph received: March 26, 2007.

Colleen & Kelly

Coleen & Kelly

Autographs acquired in person at the Chicago Blackhawks game, March 23, 2007.

The Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew is very good at their job--that being, to look good. Sure, they come out with their shovels during a stoppage of play here and there, skating around and scooping up loose ice shavings. But two seconds later, a few guys come out and do the same--in addition to smoothing out any rough areas and fixing any holes in the ice.

Which makes you ask...what exactly does the "Ice Crew" do? Oh, right--look good. No complaints here.

I went to the 'Hawks vs. Kings game on March 23. Ironically, I was trying to get a signed "Tommy Hawk" postcard (the team mascot), but got sidetracked when I saw two members of the Ice Crew handing out "Crew" photos and signing autographs. (I guess the hormones in me beat out the kid in me, eh?)

Actually, I just wanted the Crew photo, and not necessarily their autographs. Yes I sound ungrateful--I was going to put it with the 'Hawks Card Set I had just purchased--but they asked me "Who do I make this out to?". Um, OK. Sure. Please cover your best parts with ink...it will make the photo, better, I guess :)

Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas

Currently with the Boston Bruins.

Fan letter sent: December 11, 2006.

Autograph received: March 23, 2007.

Tim Thomas is awesome. This guy was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques (remember them?) in 1994. He went on to play College Hockey, as well as making stops in the IHL, AHL, ECHL, the Finnish National League, the Swedish Elite League--hell, this guy played for nine different teams over the course of 12 years before getting his shot in the NHL. Talk about perseverance! By the time he was a "rookie" in the NHL, he was already 29 years old. But then--another two years in the minors and Europe. Last season ('05-06) Thomas played 38 games for Boston. And this year, he's played in most of the team's games. So, basically, this guy did not "make it" until he was 31 years old. A lesser player would have quit sometimes between playing for the Birmingham Bulls and "Jokerit Helsinki".

Willie Mitchell

Willie Mitchell

Currently with the Vancouver Canucks.

Fan letter sent: December 19, 2006.

Autograph received: March 22, 2007.

Allright! Surprised I got these, due to my insufficient postage. The cost of a letter from Canada to the US went up four cents. I didn't know that the rate was going up after the new year...so all those fan letters I sent to Canadian-based players technically don't have enough postage on them. But so far the Canadian Post Office has been "cool" about it...what else can they do? Maybe if I cross the border, they'll arrest me because I owe them 16 cents in postage costs...

Lorne "Gump" Worsley

Lorne "Gump" Worsley

Retired player. Recently deceased.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 18, 2007.

I never saw Gump play--he retired a few years before I was born. But I was really sad when I heard the news that he passed away from a heart attack in January 2007.

When I first got into hockey as a kid, I borrowed every hockey-related book that I could from the library. One of them was Worsley's autobiography They Call Me Gump. Gump was a great player and an interesting fellow, and his book became one of my favorites. I would borrow it every year or so and re-read it. When I finished college, I managed to track down a used copy of his book.

I always meant to write a fan letter to Gump Worsley...tell him that even though he retired over 30 years ago, he still has fans and admirers--even people too young to have watched him play, such as myself. From reading his stories, and hearing about some of the funny stuff he said and did, it is safe to say that Worsley would have been my favorite player if I grew up in the Original Six era. Quite the character, Gump was the last (or 2nd to last) goaltender to finally wear a mask, and was famous for ripping on the New York Rangers even though he played for them. And what's not to like about a short, chubby, wise-cracking, beer drinking goaltender? (Though I will note that Gump said he never drank before a game--that would be suicide).

But, as it is, I procrastinated, and never wrote to Gumper--to tell him that he's still cool despite being long retired and to ask him to autograph my 1983 Hockey Hall of Fame trading card.

Rest in Peace, Lorne Worsley. The world of hockey already misses you.

Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 18, 2007.

Hall of Famer, member of Los Angeles' famed "Triple Crown Line". One of the most prolific scorers of all time.

It's a shame I never got to see Dionne play. His last season in the NHL was the year I started to watch hockey.

Johnny Bower

Johnny Bower

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Hall of Famer, award winner and Stanley Cup winner.

I've picked up quite a few HOF autographs at this show. I will need to frame some of these and put them up.

Bill Gadspy

Bill Gadspy

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Also known as "The Great Gadsby", Bill Gadsby played 20 seasons in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, from 1946 to 1966. Here he is shown at the end of his career with the Red Wings.

Henri Richard

Henri Richard

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Henri Richard, "The Pocket Rocket". This dude played 20 seasons in the NHL, won a ton of Stanley Cups, and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ed Litzenberger

Ed Litzenberger

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Ed Litzenberger played 13 seasons in the NHL, and was the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks when they won their last Stanley Cup in 1961. A great, old photo.

Tony Esposito

Tony Esposito

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Tony O., the man who "invented" the five-hole. Now here's a guy who I wish I got to see play. One of the greatest Blackhawks goalies ever--second only to Glenn Hall.

Doug Wilson

Doug Wilson

Retired player--currently the General Manager of the San Jose Sharks.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Question #1: Why haven't the Blackhawks retired Doug Wilson's #24?

Question #2: Why isn't Doug Wilson in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

There is no justice. Here is a man--one of the last to play without a helmet, and defense no less--an All-Star, Norris Trophy winning player who skated 16 seasons in the NHL. The Blackhawks are still bitter--16 years later--over the fact that he forced them to trade him to the San Jose Sharks.

Wilson had a no trade clause in his contract--he could turn down any trade that the 'Hawks attempted to make. He basically told the Blackhawks organ-EYE-zation that he was done playing for them, and that he would only approve a trade to the fledgling Sharks, who were about to start their 1st season in the league. Wilson was tired of playing for that tyrannical SOB named Mike Keenan--and hockey fans in Chicago could not blame him. Wilson gave credibility and some degree of stability on a team that had virtually no experienced NHL players on their roster. He was their anchor during their first two seasons.

Since the Blackhawks--and their owner--have such influence in the league, Wilson has never been considered for election to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He has posted stats that equal or exceed HOF defenseman Rod Langway, but that doesn't matter. As a player, Wilson was President of the NHLPA (Players Association), and championed players' rights. So, the NHL will never give him his due. And of course the Blackhawks will never honor him either.

Funny thing is, Wilson has become the GM of the San Jose Sharks, and is doing a darn good job at it, slowly building a contending team. Unlike the Blackhawks, who are slowly going nowhere.

Jocelyn Thibault

Jocelyn Thibault

Currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

Thibault played six seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, and was the starter for five. He's currently the backup goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins. A decade ago, he was a hot, up and coming French-Canadian goaltending prospect. Ten years later, he's the backup to a hot, up and coming French-Canadian goaltending prospect. It's like, come full circle or something. A good photo, as Thibault is shown here stopping the puck--as he dis so very well for the 'Hawks for half a decade.

Jim Cummins

Jim Cummins

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

What's this? My buddy, Carl Racki, er, Jim Cummins! (For my earlier dissertation on Jim Cummins, click here. Sure, I make fun of the guy, but he played 12 more seasons in the NHL than I ever will. And looking like that thug from the classic film Youngblood is not a bad thing if you are a hockey enforcer.

Anyway, I found this little gem of a signed photograph at a table for $4. You can almost hear Cummins say "C'mon pretty boy, let's go..."

Keith Carney

Keith Carney

Currently with the Minnesota Wild.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

I thought Carney was a very solid defenseman during his five seasons with the Blackhawks. Again, I never understand why the Blackhawks have to trade away solid, proven players for unproven, inconsistent players. And the guys we traded him for are either not in the NHL anymore, or are not with the 'Hawks. So it goes. I found this photo at the show promoter's table for $4. Ironic, since 4 was Carney's number as a Blackhawk (actually, this dealer/promoter had a lot of photos for $4 that I could not pass up).

Vladimir Konstantinov

Vladimir Konstantinov

Retired player.

Purchased at a card show in Chicago on March 17, 2007.

I recently went to a card show, and several dealers had autographed hockey cards for sale. Most of them were overpriced--and this one was too. But I could not pass it up. Vladimir Konstantinov was a nuisance--especially to Jeremy Roenick of the Blackhawks (who once referred to him as "Count Konstantinov" and said "he's not quite human,", likening him to a vampire).

Konstantinov was an odd guy--a good, aggressive Russian player. You didn't see too many of those back then. So, it was sad when he was in that car accident in 1997, that left him more or less a cripple. You *don't* ever want to see that happen to *anyone*...but when it happens to such an elite, world class player, it seems to hurt much more. One minute, the guy is antagonizing the likes of the worlds' best hockey players, leading the league in plus/minus, and is nominated as the game's best defenseman...then to be reduced to a guy who can't walk or talk. That's not how you want to see your opponents go out.

Don Beaupre

Don Beaupre

Retired player.

Fan letter sent: March 9, 2007.

Autograph received: March 17, 2007.

What a guy! I sent Beaupre 5 cards, and he nicely signed all 5 of them. While I got into hockey after his days as a North Star, I remember seeing him reinvent his career with the Capitals during the '89-90 season...and play in the all star game 2 years later.

Beaupre had a lot of good cards, so I had a hard time narrowing it down to five. I simply love the layout of the '84-85 set, with the small insert photo in the lower right corner--one of Topps' more innovative designs. The '88-89 Topps card has sentimental value, as that is the year I started collecting hockey cards. The '90-91 Pro Set card is a given, because I am trying to get as many cards from that set signed. The '92-93 Upper Deck "art" checklists were always a favorite of mine, sort of a throwback to that superb HHOF-issued set. And finally, Beaupre's rookie card, from the 81-82 series. I'm really grateful that he signed all of them.

Mathew Barnaby

Mathew Barnaby

Currently with the Dallas Stars.

Fan letter sent: November 3, 2006.

Autograph received: March 16, 2007.

Mathew Barnaby was one of the first players I wrote to this season--way back in November 2006. It took over four months to get my card back signed--but it was definitely worth the wait. A crisp, clear signature in black sharpie--and a letter too. Sure, it's a pre-signed form letter, but it's still awesome. Read it and you'll see what I mean:



What kind words to get from a player. Sure--it may be a "form letter"--but I like to think that this reflects Barnaby's thoughts.

Note that I've "blacked out" my address on the letter (to protect the innocent). Also note the letter date of January 10, 2007--two months before my card was sent backto me. Curious.

Shea Weber

Shea Weber

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: February 12, 2007.

Autograph received: March 16, 2007.

Shea Weber is going to become a very good defensemen in the seasons to come.

And, for those of you keeping track at home, 9 out of 12 Nashville Predators have sent back my cards signed thus far.

Kimmo Timonen

Kimmo Timonen

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: February 13, 2007.

Autograph received: March 16, 2007.

And yet another autograph from a Nashville Predator! Timonen signed 3 cards--2 Parkhurst cards, and one Upper Deck card. But again, those #$%^& card sleeves messed 2 of the cards up. Fortunately, one of the Parkies was un-smudged...but the other two were pretty messed up.

Safe to say, I've learned my lesson on why putting sleeves on the cards that you send out to get signed is stupid!

Adam Hall

Adam Hall

Currently with the Minnesota Wild.

Fan letter sent: February 13, 2007.

Autograph received: March 14, 2007.

Ahhhg! Ball point pen! This guy must also be "oldschool", like Scottie Upshall.

Vernon Fiddler

Vernon Fiddler

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: February 14, 2007.

Autograph received: March 14, 2007.

I am still totally impressed on how many successes I've had with autographs from Nashville Predators players. I sent Fiddler two of the same card--and he kept one of them...which I have no problem with. But what's up with that silver marker? Eh, that still beats ball point pen any day, though.

And yes--I wrote this letter on Valentines Day. You might ask yourself, what kind of loser writes fan letters on Valentines Day? My girlfriend and I decided to go out the day after Valentines Day, as it would be better for both of our schedules. Worked for me, as I got to watch the Blackhawks play the Penguins...and write a few auto requests that night too.

Ty Conklin

Ty Conklin

Currently with the Buffalo Sabres--though I wrote to him when he was with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).

Fan letter sent: November 17, 2006.

Autograph received: March 13, 2007.

Conklin bounced around a bit since last season when he was with the Oilers. He has since played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Syracuse Crunch, before finally being traded to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. A bit surprised that my cards made it back to me (I sent two of the same card), but pleased nonetheless.

Phil Housley

Phil Housley

Retired player.

Fan letter sent: February 23, 2007.

Autograph received: March 9, 2007.

Housley played a hell of a long time in the NHL--20 years, I think. I sent him 5 cards, and he graciously signed all five. Unfortunately...the stupid card sleeves--that I insist on using for some reason--smudged the signature on one of the cards (a 1991-92 Pro Set All Star card, dammit!). Those stupid card sleeves cause more trouble than they are worth. I feel pretty stupid, because I put a card sleeve on every card I've sent out so far this season...so every card has the potential of getting smudged. Sigh.

Anyway, very cool that Housley signed these cards.

Grant Stevenson

Grant Stevenson

Currently with the Worcester Sharks (AHL).

Fan letter sent: February 14, 2007.

Autograph received: March 9, 2007.

Michael Garnett

Michael Garnett

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: February 20, 2007.

Autograph received: March 8, 2007.

Garnett is in the Atlanta Thrashers system, currently playing for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.

Peter Laviolette

Peter Laviolette

Currently the Head Coach of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Fan letter sent: February 12, 2007.

Autograph received: March 7, 2007.

I remember the '94 Winter Olympics pretty well. Not a lot of guys from that squad went very far after those games. Seems to be the case with those pre-NHL-stocked Olympic teams. I also remember pulling this card from a pack, and trying to get the other 23 US Olympians. Not sure why, though, as many of them never did much of anything--either during or after the Olympics.

Laviolette, I thought, did pretty well in the Olympics. It is nice to see that his leadership qualities have moved him from a team captain to a successful coach.

Garth Snow

Garth Snow

Retired player. Currently the GM for the New York Islanders

Fan letter sent: February 14, 2007.

Autograph received: March 6, 2007.

Party on, Garth! No one in a million years would have guessed that Garth Snow would retire after 12 seasons and immediately become the New York Islanders' General Manager. But I think that's what's part of what makes him cool for the job. He's not one of the regular NHL "oldboys" that bounce from team to team, same ol' same old. And from what I hear, he's been doing an OK job so far.

Jim Fox

Jim Fox

Retried player. Currently a broadcaster for the L.A. Kings.

Fan letter sent: February 5, 2007.

Autographs received: March 6, 2007.

Fox is a color guy for the L.A. Kings games. He's been with the team, as a player and broadcaster combined, for over 25 years.

Scottie Upshall

Scottie Upshall

Currently with the Philadelphia Flyers--though I wrote to him when he was a member of the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: February 14, 2007.

Autograph received: March 6, 2007.

I've had really good luck with Predators players this year. Again, I thought I would not get my cards back soon when Upshall was traded to Philly, but I thought wrong.

I just wish he signed my cards in marker, instead of pallpoint pen...maybe Uphsall is all about "old time hockey", as most guys from that era signed in pen. Still cool, because he's gonna be one heck of a player next season.

Randy Carlyle

Randy Carlyle

Coach of the Anaheim Ducks.

Fan letter sent: February 20, 2007.

Autograph received: March 5, 2007.

Normally, I would not sent any player, current or former, this many cards when requesting autographs. But..I saw a fellow collector get 9 (of 9) cards back signed from Carlyle. Since Carlyle played a long time in the NHL, there were a lot of great cards of his, so narrowing down my choices was a bit tough.

For the record, I sent 7 cards, and got 6 back signed. The 7th card was sent back unsigned--a 1987-1988 Topps card. I wonder why he didn't sign it? Maybe he thought "Enough!"...or maybe he didn't like how he looked in the photo.

Not that I'm complaining. Carlyle is a player who's 'graph I lacked for too long. I especially get a kick out of how young he looks on the "Penguins" cards. Of course, those were from 25 years ago.