Ryan Whitney

Ryan Whitney

Currently with the Edmonton Oilers.

Signed insert purchased at a card shop.

Since this card came out in 2008, Whitney has twice changed teams, playing for the Anaheim Ducks before ending up with the Edmonton Oilers.

Tuomo Ruutu

Tuomo Ruutu

Currently with the Caroline Hurricanes.

Signed insert purchased at a card shop.

Ruutu was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008 for Andrew Ladd--a transaction that worked out well for both teams. Both Ladd and Ruutu have improved since changing teams.

This Be A Player signature card must have been released late in the 2007-08 season, as it pictures Ruutu with the 'Canes instead of the 'Hawks.

Erik Ersberg

Erik Ersberg

Currently with the Los Angeles Kings.

Fan letter sent: December 21, 2009.

Autograph received: May 13, 2010.

Erik Ersberg has been the backup goalie for the Los Angeles Kings for the past 3 years. He signed this card in thin black marker.

Adam Oates

Adam Oates

Retired player.

Insert from a pack of 2009-10 Champ's Hockey cards.

Card won in an online contest.

Fellow blogger Jeremy recently held a contest on his site, The Blog for Hockey Cards. The contest was to accurately predict the outcome of the Bruins/Sabres series in Round One, which I did. The prize I won was this card--signed in blue Sharpie marker--of retired NHL superstar Adam Oates.

Oates played 20 seasons in the NHL, probably most memorably with the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins. He is not in the Hall of Fame, but sooner or later he will be inducted--maybe even this year?

Thanks again to Jeremy for awarding me this card.

Reid Simpson

Reid Simpson

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010.

Autograph received: May 10, 2010.

Reid Simpson signed this card in black Sharpie marker, adding his number 4 next to his autograph.

Simpson did not play in 07-08 and 08-09, but made a comeback this year with the Chicago Wolves, appearing in 14 games for them. He has played with quite a few pro teams since 1989.  In the NHL, he has played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the AHL, Simpson played with the Hershey Bears, Albany River Rats, Milwaukee Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Chicago Wolves.

In the old IHL, he has skated with the Kalamazoo Wings and the Cleveland Lumberjacks.

The United Hockey League? Simpson has played there too, appearing in 15 games with the UHL's Rockford Icehogs. This was before the Hogs were accepted into the AHL.

He also played two seasons in Russia with Chekhov Vityaz..

That is a total of 18 different professional teams in nearly 20 years.

Al MacAdam

Al MacAdam

Retired player. Currently a scout with the Buffalo Sabres.

Fan letter sent: June 16, 2009.

Autograph received: May 7, 2010.

It took almost a year to get these 3 cards back from Al MacAdam, who is a scout for the Sabres. I guess he does not actually go to Buffalo all that often. MacAdam signed all 3 cards sent in silver Sharpie marker. He played 11 seasons in the NHL.

Craig Berube

Craig Berube

Retired player. Currently an Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010

Autograph received: May 7, 2010.

Craig Berube generously signed all 6 cards sent in black Sharpie marker. He played in the NHL from 1987 to 2003 with the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. He is now an assistant coach with the Flyers--the team that he started his career with.

Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne

Currently with the Nashville Predators.

Fan letter sent: December 18, 2009.

Autograph received: May 5, 2010.

Pekka Rinne signed this 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee card in black Sharpie marker, and personalized it to SAL. Very nice!

Spencer Machacek

Spencer Machacek

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010.

Autograph received: April 30, 2010.

Spencer Machacek signed both cards sent in black Sharpie marker. The card on the left is from the 2008-09 AHL Prospects set, while the card on the right is from this year's team-issued set.

Kevin Doell

Kevin Doell

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010.

Autograph received: April 30, 2010.

Kevin Doell signed this card in black Sharpie marker, and added his uniform number #21 too.

Brian Sipotz

Brian Sipotz

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010.

Autograph received: April 30, 2010.

Sipotz was drafted in 2001 by the Atlanta Thrashers, but has yet to see any NHL action. He has been a staple of the Wolves' lineup since 2004. I hope he finally gets a call-up sometimes next year.

Anyway, Sipotz signed both cards in black Sharpie marker.

Riley Holzapfel

Riley Holzapfel

Currently with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010.

Autograph received: April 30, 2010.

Riley Holzapfel signed the card in black Sharpie marker. Chicago Wolves players almost always respond to fan mail, and usually pretty quick too.

Phil Housley

Phil Housley

Retired player.

Fan letter sent: April 19, 2010

Autograph received: April 29, 2010.

Phil Housley played with 8 different teams over his 21-year NHL career. Thus, he had a lot of cards made. That's why I sent him a few more than I usually send to a retired player. Fortunately, Housley generously signed all 6 cards sent--and in blue Sharpie marker, no less.

Each of these cards are near and dear to me for different reasons:

• The 1984-85 Topps set is the best-looking set from the vintage era of hockey cards.
• The 1991-92 Pro Set card shows Housley in the 1991 All-Star Game at the old Chicago Stadium; I went to that game.
• The 1991-92 Score set is one that I am trying to get as many cards signed as possible.
• The 1992-93 Upper Deck checklist shows a painting of Housley--I love illustrated cards.
• The 2000-01 Upper Deck Vintage set rips off the design of the 1954-55 Topps Hockey set, but still looks great.
• The 2002-03 Topps card shows Housley with the Chicago Blackhawks (my favorite team).

This is the second time I have written to Housley requesting autographs. The first time--way back in 2007--was also successful.