Nick Kypreos

Nick Kypreos

Retired player. Currently a commentator for Rodgers Sportsnet.

Fan letter sent: November 6, 2009.

Autograph receiveds: December 11, 2009.

Nick Kypreos generously signed all six of the cards that I sent in black Sharpie marker. He played 8 seasons in the NHL, and won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.

Ron Hextall

Ron Hextall

Retired player. Currently the Assistant General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: November 6, 2009.

Autograph received: December 4, 2009.

I have always been a fan of Ron Hextall. A big, temperamental goalie for the Flyers during the 1980s and 1990s, he was the first NHL netminder to actually score an empty-net goal (whereas Billy Smith was just credited with scoring the goal).

Hextall signed all three cards I sent in black Sharpie marker. On the Champ's card, he added "All the Best" above his signature, while on the Score card he wrote "Best Wishes, Ron Hextall."

Daniel Carcillo & Aaron Voros

Daniel Carcillo & Aaron Voros

Carcillo is currently with the Philadelphia Flyers; Voros is currently with the New York Rangers.

Purchased at a card show on November 22, 2009.

Carcillo was one of my favorite players on the Phoenix Coyotes. He reminds me of a young Dave Manson, if anyone remembers that former NHL defenseman from the 1990s. Manson was a hot-head who sometimes took dumb penalties, but was a talented player and also a heavyweight when it came to fighting.

Carcillo is like that in a lot of regards. I don't think he'll ever make much of an offensive contributor, but he is a tough fighter. Once he stops taking dumb penalties, I think he'll become one of those agitator-type players for Philly.

Voros used to play for the Minnesota Wild. I'm not too sure why he is on a card with Carcillo--too bad it isn't a Phoenix teammate from 2007-08 (the year this card was made), or a popular adversary like George Parros.

Both signatures have been signed in black Sharpie marker. The autographs are on stickers that were later applied to the card.

Shea Weber

Shea Weber

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Purchased at a card show on November 22, 2009.

Shea Weber is one of my favorite defenseman in the NHL. He put up decent numbers last year--53 points in 81 games--and is on pace for about 60 points this season. Luckily, I picked him for my fantasy hockey team this year.

I was also lucky to find this for $3 at a recent card show. I don't know what it is "worth" according to the price guides, and I don't care. A certified signature from one of my favorite players is definitely worth that.

The card is signed in black Sharpie marker. The autograph is on a sticker that was later applied to the card.

Danny Richmond

Danny Richmond

Currently with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL).

Purchased at a card show on November 22, 2009.

Another card show purchase I could not pass up. Richmond was born in Chicago, and played parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks. He wore number 44 (my favorite number), and this card is signed in blue Sharpie marker. The autograph was signed on a sticker that was later applied to the card, but the sig itself was neatly done and looks great.

Jim Slater

Jim Slater

Currently with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Purchased at a card show on November 22, 2009.

Slater has been a regular with the Atlanta Thrashers since his rookie season in 2005-06. While I have successfully written to him in the past, I could not pass up this card at a recent card show. The signature is in blue Sharpie marker, it is hard-signed (that is, signed on the card itself and not on a sticker), and best of all, it was only a buck.