Gaëtan Duchesne

Gaëtan Duchesne

Retired player. Recently deceased.

Purchased on eBay. Added to my collection April 29, 2007.

I think everyone who knew Gaëtan Duchesne was shocked and surprised when he passed away on April 16, 2007. I mean, he was an ex-NHLer who still stayed in shape. Only 44 years old, he died of cardiac arrest while working out in the gym? I mean, it wasn't like he got all fat and lazy, and died of a heart attack. That would make sense. Even Gump Worsley's death earlier this year made sense--he was an old man, and old people eventually die. But for a relatively young, fit person to die like that...sometimes, there's no justice.

I remember Duchesne in the 1990s. I had a bunch of extra hockey stickers that I put on one of my notebooks in high school, and one of his stickers was on the front. Of course, other kids in school--who pretty much made fun of me for any reason, including my love for hockey--made fun of the fact that my notebook was adorned with a sticker of a guy who's name sounded like "gay" and "douche". Yeah.

Eventually, I had planned on writing to Duchesne. Well, that's not happening now, so I opted to go the eBay route on this one. I would still like to get autographed versions of his 88-89 OPC and 90-91 Pro Set cards.

Legends of Hockey posted a great article about Gaëtan Duchesne. You can check that out here.

Pat Riggin

Pat Riggin

Retired player.

Fan letter sent: April 12, 2007.

Autographs received: April 29, 2007.

Riggin was such an "80's goaltender". I mean, his career pretty much started and ended in that decade. Not to dismiss any of his accomplishments, as he did win the Jennings Trophy and was a 2nd Team All Star. I just though he should have been in the league a little longer than he was. He kind of "faded" into the league, had a few good seasons, and then kind of "faded" away...

Anyway, Riggin was cool to sign my cards, although we all know how I feel about signatures in ballpoint pen. He also wrote "Best of Luck" above his sig on his 81-82 Topps RC.

Alexander Auld

Alexander Auld

Currently with the Florida Panthers.

Fan letter sent: February 14, 2007.

Autograph received: April 28, 2007.

I sent Auld two cards (both the same), and he signed them both. This marks my 100th through-the-mail autograph success this season. Ah...it's pretty awesome to score 100 points in a season :)

Paul Holmgren

Paul Holmgren

Retired player. Currently the General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan letter sent: April 13, 2007.

Autograph received: April 23, 2007.

Spike! I remember "Spike" as a coach of the Flyers in the early 1990s. Good to see that he "evolved" into a GM.

You gotta love these retired guys, who are so quick to turn around autographs. I got cards back from four different retired players today. All of them were players I wrote to in mid-April, no less.

Steve Kasper

Steve Kasper

Retired player.

Fan letter sent: April 16, 2007.

Autograph received: April 23, 2007.

Steve Kasper is currently a player agent. He coached the Bruins for a few seasons after retiring, and also won the Selke Trophy in 1982. I actually wrote to Kasper in the 1990s, and he was quick to return my cards back then, as he was this time a decade later. Only this time, he used a much better marker.

Dave Keon

Dave Keon

Retired player. Elected into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Fan letter sent: April 16, 2007.

Autograph received: April 23, 2007.

Keon is a cool customer. He played pro for 22 seasons, and pretty much disassociated himself with the Toronto Maple Leafs because the team's former owner Harold Ballard was such a whack-job. Doing a little research on Keon, I found out how he went to the World Hockey Association because the Maple Leafs would not re-sign him--stating that he was too old to play...and yet, they would not trade him to another NHL team either. And, of course, the team would not retire his uniform number. Well, when I say "the team", I really mean Howard Ballard. But Keon has seemed to put aside his differences with the Leafs and be a part of that 1967 team reunion that happend a few months back. What I think is nice is that he'll hold a grudge against a team, but won't take it out on the fans, like many players do, not signing a certain item depicting them as a member of a team, etc.

Elmer Lach

Elmer Lach

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 23, 2007.

Elmer Lach has been in the Hall of Fame for 41 years now. He is currently 89 years old, and has to be one of the oldest ex-NHL players still alive today. I mean, this guy's older than my Grandma! So, the fact that he can still sign his name on stuff--and that he's willing to--is pretty amazing. Lach also enclosed two signed copies of that "Canadiens" team card, just like the one Henri Richard sent.

Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios

Currently with the Detroit Red Wings.

Purchased from a friend. Added to my collection on April 20, 2007.

I bought a bunch of autographed hockey cards from an online acquaintance of mine. I added 14 more cards to my auto collection, including seven from the almighty 1990-91 Pro Set, uh, set. Most important of these cards is a 90-91 PS series 2 card of my all time favorite player, Chris Chelios. My all time favorite player's signature on a card from my all time favorite set. Yeah. I like the 90-91 Pro Set that much.

Chelios is amazing. He's 45 and still going strong. I hope he plays until he's 50. He's been my favorite player since he became a 'Hawk in 1990 (I was 15 at the time). They say you know you are getting old when your heroes retire, and become color commentators, coaches and the like. So, I guess as long as Chelios keeps playing, I won't "get old".

Anyway, this card is a mini milestone in my collection.

Scott Thornton

Scott Thornton

Currently with the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: February 5, 2007.

Autograph received: April 20, 2007.

Scott Thornton has played 16 seasons in the NHL now. One reason, though, for wanting his autograph is that he has both a 1990-91 Pro Set card and a 2005-06 Parkhurst card. Those are two sets in which I am trying to get every (or almost every) card signed. He signed these cards pretty quick--about six weeks. In addition to signing my two cards, Scott Thornton tossed in an extra card--a 2006-07 O-Pee-Chee card.

Johnny Bower

Johnny Bower

Retried player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 19, 2007.

This makes 10 cards that I have gotten autographed from long-retired HOF members (11 if you count Bryan Trottier, but I don't consider 12 years "long retired"). I set out to try and get as many of these Carlton McDiarmid-painted cards autographed as possible. This far, I am 10 for 12...and I still have about 10 more of these to try and get signed.

But man, Johnny Bower. I am both humbled and amazed at how good of signers these old-time hockey guys truly are.

Jocelyn Thibault

Jocelyn Thibault

Currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Fan letter sent: February 3, 2007.

Autograph received: April 18, 2007.

I find it somewhat interesting that Pittsburgh Penguins #1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault and Goaltending Coach Gilles Meloche are all French-Canadien. Coincidence...or consipracy?

My earlier post about Thibault can be found here.

Emile "Cat" Francis

Emile "Cat" Francis

Retried player and coach. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Fan letter sent: March 31, 2007.

Autograph received: April 18, 2007.

Emile "Cat" Francis was mainly a backup goaltender during the days when NHL teams didn't have backup goaltenders. I think they were called "standbys" back then, and they didn't dress for the games--only suiting up if the team's goalie got injured or was ill. Regardless, "Cat" amassed 95 games during six seasons in the Original Six Era. But it is as a coach and as a manger that he gained most of his recognition, gaining him admission into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982 as a builder.

Francis sent back my letter to him, neatly wrapping the two cards in it to keep them safe (one of them got a bit smudged, though...oh well). He also wrote his own note on my letter to him...

Harry Howell

Harry Howell

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 17, 2007.

Nice! Howell personalized my card, and signed it in blue Sharpie.It reads:

To Sal -
Good Luck -
Harry Howell #3
Norris Trophy 1967

He also included a 3" x 5" index-type card with his photo on it, signed in black pen.

Henri Richard

Henri Richard

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 16, 2007.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I get my cards back signed from "The Pocket Rocket", Henri Richard.

Now, every now and then I've had players keep some (or all) of my cards. And every now and then, a player tosses in an extra signed card. But Richard went above and beyond--not only did he sign my cards, but he enclosed two more signed cards of his own, and a signed postcard! Beyond awesome!

Bill Ranford

Bill Ranford

Retired player. Currently the Goaltending Coach for the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: April 3, 2007.

Autograph received: April 16, 2007.

This is the second time I have written to Bill Ranford. The first time I sent him a letter was April 3, 1996--exactly 11 years to the date of sending him another fan letter. Ranford replied to my first letter back then, signing four of the four cards I sent. This time was no different, only now he's a coach instead of a player (and, it took a few weeks instead of a few months). Eleven years back, he also signed my cards in black Sharpie marker. Good to see he's still consistent!

Red Kelly

Red Kelly

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 16, 2007.

Given the success I am currently enjoying with writing to Hall of Fame members, I am sorry I didn't start writing to them sooner--about 15 years sooner! Leonard "Red" Kelly played 20 seasons in the NHL, won 8 Stanley Cups, 4 Lady Byng Trophies and was the first winner of the Norris Trophy.

Dickie Moore

Dickie Moore

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 16, 2007.

Today was a good day for autographs--I got back cards from three Hall of Famers, and one Conn Smythe winner. I cannot believe the incredible success I am having with writing to Hall of Fame players. I think these guys "get it", you know? Most of them anyway...the ones who *don't* send you back a form letter requesting money for an autograph.

Moore won the Art Ross Trophy--as the NHL's leading scorer--in 1958 and 1959. He retired 40 years ago this season! It is awesome that a player who is that far removed from the game will still sign autographs.

Ted Lindsay

Ted Lindsay

Retried player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966.

Fan letter sent: April 9 2007.

Autograph received: April 14, 2007.

Holy Jeez! Another autograph by another legendary Hall of Fame Player--and I got this one back in five days! I sent fan letters to Lindsay and Norm Ullman on the same day, and got my autographed cards back from both of them in five days. Wow.

Lindsay also enclosed an autographed biographical pamphlet. I like the line in the pamphlet that mentions that Lindsay was traded to Chicago as punishment for attempting to help start a Players Union. It also refers to him as a "truculent" left winger--if you don't know what truculent means, look it up.

Lasse Kukkonen

Lasse Kukkonen

Currently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan letter sent: April 3, 2007.

Autograph received: April 14, 2007.

OK, I might be a bit hypocritical on this one. I was not a fan of Lasse Kukkonen. While he shows skill and promise, he is not particularly tough, and does not seem to want to "pay the price", as they say in the NHL. In other words, he's a wuss. He seems to have good puck handling skills, but he does not seem to be very effective as a defenseman (clearing the crease, hitting/checking, etc.)

Or, maybe he just didn't like playing in Chicago. Why make an effort, when you're losing, not making the playoffs, and don't have much in the way of scoring?

So, maybe his career will rebound in Philadelphia. This guy has potential--and I kind of hope he lives up to it, in a way. But I'm much more excited to watch Jason Williams, the forward that the Blackhawks got in return.

Kukkonen signed the card--from the 2006-2007 Blackhawks team-issued set--in blue ballpoint pen. Oh well, at least the sig is big enough to see.

Norm Ullman

Norm Ullman

Retried player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Fan letter sent: April 9, 2007.

Autograph received: April 14, 2007.

I am amazed at how fast I got these cards back--FIVE DAYS!!! I sent two cards to Mr. Ullman on April 9 (a Monday), and got them back April 14. In the span of five days, these cards went from Chicago to Ontario and back to Chicago. Five days! Amazing. Mr. Ullman put both his uniform number "7" and "H.O.F. - 1982" on the cards. What a class act!

Bryan Trottier

Bryan Trottier

Retried player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Fan letter sent: February 24, 2007.

Autograph received: April 14, 2007.

Trottier won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, and helped the Penguins win two more. I sent him four cards, and kept two--an 89-90 OPC card and a 90-91 Pro Set Series 2 card. That's OK. I'll probably write to him again in a year, as I want to get an 81-82 Topps card signed by him too. Trottier personalized these cards, which is always thoughtful.