They were there, too

By Mike
Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent

You never know who you'll run into at any hockey-based event. Well, when its the renaming of a rink in your honor, it's a given that Angela James, one of Canada's most-decorated female hockey players, will be there. The other ones, such as Wendel Clark, Mike Gartner and Dick Duff, are simply a bonus.

Brag Book: Ontario Hockey League

Hound: Mike, Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent Hounding opportunities: Ontario Hockey League games Where: Ontario, Canada When: 2010-11 season Let the bragging begin: An 8x10 signed by Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Keith Aulie; an 8x10 signed by Sarnia's Alex Galchenyuk; an 8x10 signed by Florida Panthers prospect Erik Gudbranson; an 8x10 signed by Sarnia's Nail Yakupov; Sarnia Sting pucks signed by Nail Yakupov, left, and Alex Galchenyuk; Mississauga St. Michael's Majors puck signed by Devante Pelley-Smith; Niagara Ice Dogs puck signed by Doug and Fred Hamilton; Kingston Frontenacs pucked signed by Alex and Erik Gudbranson; Niagara Ice Dogs puck signed by Ryan Stromme; London Knights puck signed by Vladislav Namestnikov; Saginaw Spirit puck signed by Brandon Saad; and cards signed by Ethan Werek and Philip Grubauer.

Adding depth

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Some of the first autographs we ever added to the collection came from the Carolina Hurricanes, back when the team moved from Hartford to North Carolina. At the time, we watched them play at the Greensboro Coliseum.

A few years later, when we were living in New England, we got to watch some of the Hurricanes top prospects, including goalie Cam Ward, play in Lowell, Mass., during the NHL lockout of 2004-05. As a result, we've added quite a few from him.

We don't let that stop us, though, from deepening the collection. During Carolina's recent visit to Hockey Bay, Colin scored the 8x10 wallpaper image, shown above, from one of his favorite NHL players.

I took it upon myself to add these pucks, the 10th and 11th (all but one are different) that Ward has signed for us. It'll take another All-Star Game or a trade to make it an even dozen.

Putting in the time

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Don't let long lines get in the way of adding to your hockey autograph collection. Scoring these two pucks from Tampa Bay's Steve Downie at a recent appearance at a Hockey Bay motorsports store was well worth the 45 minutes we stood in line.

We haven't mad much luck over the past few seasons getting to to stop after morning skates, so we took full advantage of this opportunity to add a few more pucks to the collection.

Only days earlier, we added some pucks from Lightning teammates Adam Hall and Nate Thompson at another public appearance.

Three-for-three

By Puckhound
Hockey Hound Universe editor

Every NHL team has what hockey hounds would consider, at the minimum, its Big Three. Not only are they a team's best players, but they all reside atop any hound's wish list.

In the case of the Philadelphia Flyers, in town to play the Tampa Bay Lightning, it would be Jeff Carter, Chris Pronger and Mike Richards. I was lucky enough to have them sign this trio of Canada-related pucks.

Sweet dessert

By Mike
Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent

After having a bite to eat recently at a Don Cherry's Sports Grill, I had Don Cherry, Hockey Night in Canada's opinionated commentator, sign this photo. Nice jacket, eh?

Brag Book: Team Canada WJC camp

Hound: Mike, Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent
Hounding opportunity: Team Canada's 2011 World Junior Championships selection camp
Where: MasterCard Centre of Hockey Excellence in Toronto
When: December 2010

Let the bragging begin:

Team Canada selection camp team sheet (shown above): JP Anderson, Mark Visentin, Jesse Blacker, Jared Cowen, Simon Desprès, Erik Gudbranson, Brayden McNabb, Ryan Murphy, Mark Pysyk, Calvin de Haan, Carter Ashton, Michaël Bournival, Casey Cizikas, Brett Connolly, Sean Couturier, Cody Eakin, Curtis Hamilton, Quinton Howden, Ryan Howse, Ryan Johansen, Zack Kassian, Louis Leblanc, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brad Ross, Brayden Schenn and Linden Vey.

Other items:

an 8x10 signed by the Red Deer Rebels' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a top-rated prospect for the 2011 NHL Draft;

an 8x10 signed by the University of Notre Dame's Riley Sheahan, taken 21st overall in 2010 by the Detroit Red Wings;

2010 NHL Draft pucks signed by Prince George Cougars' Brett Connolly, taken sixth overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning;

Drummondville Voltigeurs pucks signed by Sean Couturier, a top-rated prospect for the 2011 NHL Draft;

Moose Jaw Warriors puck signed by Quinton Howden, drafted 25th overall in 2010 by the Florida Panthers; and

cards signed by Nugent-Hopkins, left, and Oshawa's Calvin de Haan, taken 12th overall in 2009 by the New York Islanders.