Braydon Coburn

Braydon Coburn

Currently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan letter sent January 3, 2007.

Autograph received August 28, 2008.

Wow. I had pretty much given up on getting my card back from Braydon Coburn. I wrote to him in January 2007 and in February of that year he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. After a year passed, I figured it was moot. But I got this back today. Funny that it took longer to get an autograph from Braydon Coburn than Steve Yzerman. Then again, Coburn got traded and got hurt, so I could see why it would take a long time.

I used to watch Coburn play with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL--the top minor league team for the Atlanta Thrashers. I was kind of surprised that the Thrashers traded him. He's since become a regular for the Flyers.

Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman

Retired player. Currently the Vice President of the Detroit Red Wings.

Fan letter sent February 5, 2007.

Autograph received August 23, 2008.

It took over 18 months to get this card back from retired superstar Steve Yzerman. I sent Yzerman two cards--the other was from the '05-06 Parkhurst set--but he only sent back this one. Regardless, it is exciting to get back an autograph from this soon-to-be Hall of Fame player.

I do wonder what he did with the other card, though. Maybe I will try writing to him again, though this time I will send only one card. Hmmmm....do I want to risk sending his '84-85 Topps RC?

Shawn Horcoff

Shawn Horcoff

Currently with the Edmonton Oilers.

Fan letter sent November 9, 2007.

Autographs received August 23, 2008.

My second Edmonton Oilers success this month, Horcoff nicely signed the two cards in black mmarker. This brings me up to 46 signed cards from the '06-07 Fleer set and 108 signed cards from the '05-06 Parkhurst set.

Eddie Shack

Eddie Shack

Retired player.

Fan letter sent February 20, 2008.

Autograph received August 21, 2008.

I heard that Eddie Shack was a great signer through-the-mail. So, I was no doubt disappointed when Shack kept two of my cards and signed the back of the third one. I sent Mr. Shack two cards from the 1964-65 Parkhurst Tall Boys set--his regular card and the action photo entitled "Shack Entertains". This Ultimate Original Six card was an afterthought, as I'm not really trying to get cards from that set autographed. Hrmph! Makes me wonder what would have been sent back if I did not include that Original Six card.

By the way, my letter to Shack is the last fan letter I sent out this year. Back in February, I knew that I'd be moving in a couple of months, but was not sure where. So, I did not want to send out any more letters with my return address being (soon to be) obsolete. That is why my successes have been so sparse the past few months--I have not sent out any fan letters in almost six months! Now that I am settled in at my new place, I think it's time to start writing again.

Jarret Stoll

Jarret Stoll

Currently with the Edmonton Oilers.

Fan letter sent November 9, 2007.

Autographs received August 9, 2008.

It took nine months to get these cards back. I guess Oilers players get a lot of fan letters. Stoll nicely signed both cards I sent in blue Sharpie marker.