International flavor

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Want to know the quickest way to add depth and variety to your autographed puck collection? Well, that's easy. All you have to do is use these national souvenir pucks.

That's exactly what I did during the Detroit Red Wings recent visit to Hockey Bay. While I carried at least two pucks for most big-name player on the roster. I changed my approach when I saw that the players were only signing one item each.

Still, after getting, from left, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom, there's little room to complain.

Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot. The Holmstrom is puck No. 2,250 of the collection.

Whale of a time

By Commonkid
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

For those who don't know this, the Whale Bowl was a series of games lasting over a week, played outdoors at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. It started with college and high school games, but the two big games were both on Saturday, Feb. 19.

The first game featured the Boston Bruins Alumni vs. Hartford Whalers Alumni. Joining them were the Hanson Brothers from the hockey cult classic Slap Shot. The alumni game was followed by the Connecticut Whale meeting the Providence Bruins in an American Hockey League game.

The hounding started Friday afternoon at the hotel where many of the players were staying for the weekend. First one I saw was Derek Sanderson, who asked for directions to the parking garage. We ran down to the walk-in entrance, getting him to sign before he got on the elevator. This worked for Brad Park and Reggie Lemelin as well.

The hotel, however, wouldn't let us wait inside. It was good luck that the weather was not all that bad, about 40 degrees out during the day.

On Saturday, we got to the hotel around 9 a.m. and some players were there already. The weather turned nasty, however, and it didn't get over 15 degrees with wind gusts up to 40 knots. For three of the dealers, this was too much. They paid for a room so they could wait inside. This turned into waste of money as security relented and let us all in about 30 minutes later.

Even at the game, it was good luck to get autos, as you could go out between the games and get the alumni as they left. Only four people were out there.

For the two-day total, I scored 117 cards, 28 8x10s and 16 pucks. I'm hoping they do this next year as well.

Besides Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, shown above, others signers included:

Whalers legend Ray Neufeld; and

Bruins legend Derek Sanderson.

Useful items

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

If you're a regular reader of my blog, Hound Central 5.0, you're familiar with my so-called cheap skate cards. They're my homemade cards I often use for NHL rookies or call-ups.

Over the years, they've come in quite handy. Just look at this one for Sergei Bobrovsky, a rookie goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers. After having him sign a puck during the Flyers' first visit to Hockey Bay, I didn't want to use any of his rookie cards when the Flyers visited last week.

They may not be pretty or employ any cutting-edge design principles or programs. In fact, I use an old Microsoft Word program for them. But they work. And, really, that's all I ask.

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.

That'll teach me

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

One of the quickest ways for Hockey Hounds Universe's visitors and page views to fall off a precipice is to not post any new content for a week. For a variety of reasons, from work to freelance efforts to a little thing called the Detroit Red Wings, kept me from doing that.

Well, I've learned my lesson.

Hopefully, I'll make amends this week, as we try to catch up with all the hockey-hounding that's taken place down here in Hockey Bay. Beyond that, you can expect a couple of posts from north of the border as well as other correspondents checking in from their outposts.

Who knows, maybe even Moody, fresh off of celebrating the one-year anniversary of Moody's TTM Blog, will file one. It's been a long time, hasn't it?

Change in plans

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

One desirable trait among hockey hounds is flexibility. Though it's always good to have a plan, you also need to be willing to stray from it anytime opportunity presents itself.

Take last Tuesday, for instance. I had every intention of offering Buffalo Sabres captain Craig Rivet this Montreal Canadiens puck with the hopes of getting it signed. That plan, though, changed.

When I recognized former NHL defenseman Brian Engblom walking down the sidewalk, I called an audible and had him sign it instead.

Engblom was in town with the Versus hockey broadcast crew, which would later televise the Buffalo Sabres-Tampa Bay Lightning game. In a first for the network, Engblom, serving as an analyst, worked the game at ice level, standing between the team's benches.

Whole new world

By J.R.
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

What a contrast between hounding outings. The “big top” was gone, I didn't see anybody on the trapeze and, most importantly, there were no clowns present (although I did see a woman wearing really bad makeup rushing to work). The last time I hounded an NHL club was when the Buffalo Sabres were in San Jose to play the Sharks and it was a circus.

Fast forward a few weeks and you have a totally different atmosphere. Apparently, the Phoenix Coyotes don't have anybody on their roster worth arriving at the hotel before the morning skate. I say this because for quite some time I was the only person there.

Generally speaking, if someone affiliated with the opposing team wants to take a cab to the arena, a hotel employee stationed outside the lobby doors will call for them. A taxi then appears within a moment or two. However, head coach Dave Tippett and two other staff members walked over to where the cabs park.

I raced over to him and he signed three cards for me. After I thanked him, I noticed assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson about 15 paces behind Tippett. I bolted back to my bag to grab a puck, raced back to the taxi area and caught Samuelsson just in the nick of time. He signed it, but I unfortunately missed Sean Burke, who was behind him, and I didn't have another puck on my person.

Many minutes passed before another collector finally arrived at the hotel. We made small talk while waiting and he was disappointed to learn that the coaches had already left.

Soon after, Shane Doan came out of the hotel with six of his teammates. This is where having additional collectors on site could have helped, as we couldn't stop everybody. I had to make a quick judgment call and approached Doan, allowing his teammates to stroll to the bus parked on the street.

This was my first time meeting him and I can honestly say that he is the nicest player I have encountered thus far. He willingly signed a puck for me, a team photo for the other collector, then two cards for me. And he did it with a smile. Therefore, I tip my cap to you, Mr. Doan, for being such a fan-friendly player.

Other players to sign for me were Michal Rozsival, Kyle Turris and Jason LaBarbera.

As LaBarbara finished signing two cards for me, I noticed that television analyst Tyson Nash had already climbed the first two steps of the bus. I called him and he immediately turned around and signed a pair of cards. I also apologized for asking him to sign after technically being on the bus. He said it was not a problem and was glad to do it.

I am also glad I packed an extra Rangers puck just in case general manager Don Maloney made the trip to San Jose. He did and kindly signed the puck.

On the other hand, I must admit I did not recognize Keith Yandle (absolutely no excuse) and Ilya Bryzgalov (tiny excuse, he had a beard). Lee Stempniak also walked right past me while I was searching for something in my bag. Oh well.

All in all, it was a fun and relatively successful outing. Although I am sorry I did not see any elephants or "The Human Cannonball."

Signing pucks, shown at top, were:

Top row: Michal Rozsival and Shane Doan; and
Bottom row: Ulf Samuelsson and Don Maloney

Signing these cards were:

Top row: Dave Tippett; and
Bottom row: Kyle Turris and Shane Doan.

Also signing cards were Jason LaBarbera, top row, and Tyson Nash.

Born in the U.S.A.

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Though NHL lineups are dominated by Canadian-born players, there's a growing presence of American-born players. Down here in Hockey Bay, the Lightning have quite a few, including Adam Hall and Nate Thompson.

Hall, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Thompson, out of Anchorage, Alaska, signed these two U.S.A. souvenir pucks last Wednesday following a live radio show at a McDonald's in Tampa.

Getting our Phil

By Scott II
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito was the guest speaker at the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner in southwestern Ontario on Jan. 29. There were about 350 people in attendance. At 6 p.m., Phil did a 30-minute, sit-down autograph session before dinner. I was right near the front of the line.

I asked him to sign these two hockey cards for me. He stated that he was glad that I brought my own black Sharpie. The dinner organizers gave him only one brown Sharpie to sign autographs and Phil said "Who wants brown autographs?"

I offered him my black Sharpie to keep, he thanked me and kept it. I pulled my blue Sharpie out of my pocket and gave it to him, too.

Around 7:30 p.m., Phil was done eating supper and was still sitting up at the head table. I've had his autobiography Thunder and Lightning since 2003 and wanted to get it signed. I took the book up to the head table and asked him to sign it. He said "Hey, you have my book".

He then proceeded to show the pictures in the book to other people at the head table for a good 10 minutes. He was explaining pics of his wife, kids etc. He apologized for making me wait, but said that he likes looking at the old pictures in the book. The wait gave me time to grab my camera and snap a pic of him signing the book.

He gave the book back to me with a huge, beautiful sig, asked me if I liked the book and thanked me for bringing it. By now, a line had formed up at the head table and he was busy signing again.

I had to leave early so I did not hear his speech later on in the evening.

For the few hours I was there, he was a willing signer and signed multiples for anyone who asked. Some people were getting five items at a time signed. Everything was being signed (i.e. programs, sticks, jerseys, pucks, cards etc). His sig was perfect, letter for letter almost every time.

Dinner banquets like this are great for getting autographs. The guest speakers normally get nice appearance fees and signing autographs is usually part of the appearance contract.

Editor's note: For another take on Phil Esposito, check out Moody's report from Hound Central 5.0.

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: Anaheim Ducks

Hound: Al, Hockey Hounds Universe's senior Toronto correspondent
Hounding opportunity: Anaheim Ducks practice
Where: MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, Toronto
When: January 2011

Let the bragging begin:

A Hockey Hounds Universe hat trick from right winger Teemu Selanne, a future Hall of Famer;

another Hockey Hounds Universe hat trick from center Saku Koivu, including a sweet player puck;

goalie Jonas Hiller;

defenseman Cam Fowler;

right winger Bobby Ryan; and

winger Jason Blake.

Oh, yeah, now I remember

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Amid all of the NHL teams visiting Hockey Bay, it can be easy to forget that there's plenty of hounding opportunity right under my nose. They're called the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Every so often, usually on of the days off when I put in a full day of hockey hounding, I'll try to catch the Bolts after their game-day morning skate. Some days are better than others, as Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos don't always stop. Still, you can always count on a handful to sign.

Signing cards on my most recent visit were:

Top row: Brett Clark, Victor Hedman and Mike Lundin; and
Bottom row: Mattias Ohlund, Teddy Purcell and Matt Smaby.

Nice souvenir

By Colin
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

When we hounded the Atlanta Thrashers last Sunday, I did a team sheet. But I also got a puck signed by Andrew Ladd, who flipped it to me over the glass before the game the last time they were in.

I told him that he gave me the puck and asked him to personalize it for me. I had to tell him how to spell my name.

Then, some dealer said "That won't end up on eBay." I'm not sure why he said that because we keep all of our pucks. That was weird.

We still had fun and a great time.

Mostly lucky seven

By Scott B.
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

Down here in South Florida, the Panthers recently finished a long homestand. As usual, some teams were better signers than others, but there were some surprises also.

Carolina Hurricanes: They are typically a very good signing team. This trip was no exception. We were able to get Eric Cole (6), Joe Corvo (2), Zac Dalpe (Header, or 2005-06 Parkhurst checklist cards with the teams logo on the front), Ron "Mr. I Don't Sign" Francis (1 card and 1 jersey card), Tim Gleason (3), Paul Maurice (Header), Sergei Samsonov (2), Eric Staal, Brandon Sutter (3), Cam Ward (4) and Ian White. Other players who signed, but we missed, were Chad Larose and Justin Peters. Also, we got our first refusal ever for a header card by Jeff Skinner.

Washington Capitals: They are definitely the worst signing team in the NHL. The only one who would sign on the first team bus was coach Bruce Boudreau. Then a few players who rode the second bus who came over. We got Matthieu Perrault and missed Jay Beagle. But then two miracles happened. First, Mike Green signed for three out of four people. Then, Alex Ovechkin actually signed for three of five hounds. Of course, it would have nice for them to sign for everyone, but still a miracle that either of them signed at all.

Nashville Predators: We haven't seen them in two years, so we didn't know what to expect. They turned out to be very good signers. We got Francis Bouillon, J.P. Dumont (4), Cody Franson, Marcel Goc (5), Patric Hornqvist (2), Kevin Klein, Sergei Kostitsyn, Shane O'Brien (3), Pekka Rinne, Jerred Smithson, Alexander Sulzer (Header) and Joel Ward. Also signing was Wade Belak. Shea Weber signed for hounds in the morning only.

New Jersey Devils: They're usually right behind Washington for second-worst in the NHL. But another shock occurred. They actually signed. We were able to get Jason Arnott (2 cards and 1 jersey card), David Clarkson, Patrick Elias (2 cards and 1 jersey card), Mark Fayne (Header), Andy Greene (3), Ilya Kovalchuk (1 card and 1 jersey card), Lou Lamoriello (Header), Adam Oates (1 jersey card), Brian Rolston (2), Travis Zajac (4) and Dainius Zubrus (6). Johan Hedberg signed for those who needed him. Shocking, we usually get Martin Brodeur and Colin White only and then get kicked off hotel premises.

Atlanta Thrashers: They are also really good for hounds. We got Nik Antropov (12), Alexander Burmistrov (Header), Dustin Byfuglien (5), Ron Hainsey (3), Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd (3), Bryan Little, Spencer Machacek (Header), Johnny Oduya (2), Ondrej Pavelec (3), Rich Peverley, Craig Ramsay (Header), Brent Sopel (5), Anthony Stewart, Chris Thorburn, and John Torchetti (Header). Eric Boulton also signed for people who needed him.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Again, we hadn't seen them in two years, so we didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be decent. We got Scott Arniel (Header), Mathieu Garon (5), Rostislav Klesla (2 cards and 1 jersey card), Derek MacKenzie, Rick Nash (1 jersey card), Samuel Pahlsson (2), Anton Stralman, R.J. Umberger (4) and Jakub Voracek. Steve Mason also signed for a few and then bolted for the bus.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Usually one of the better teams for hounds, I guess winning has changed most of them. We got only Victor Hedman and Martin St. Louis. Steve Stamkos signed for everyone, but Vinny Lecavalier and Simon Gagne signed for only a couple of people each. Mattias Ohlund was the first to the bus, said he would sign, then ignored everyone when returning to the bus.

All in all, there was some pretty good hockey hounding down here in South Florida.

Brag Book: OHL team sheets

Hound: Mike, Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent
Hounding opportunities: Ontario Hockey League games
Where: Ontario, Canada
When: 2010-11 season

Let the bragging begin:

BRAMPTON BATTALION, including Sam Carrick, taken 144th overall in 2010 by the Toronto Maple Leafs; Barclay Goodrow, a 2011 mid-round prospect; Zach Bell, a 2011 mid-round prospect; and Matej Machovsky, who appeared in two games for the Czech Republic at the 2010 World Under-17 championship;

KITCHENER RANGERS, including Ryan Murphy, who Don Cherry said last year would be the No. 1 pick in 2011; and Tobias Reider, a projected second-round pick in 2011;

LONDON KNIGHTS, including Vladislav Namestnikov, a projected mid to late first-round pick in 2011; Scott Harrington, a projected early second-round pick in 2011; Jared Knight, selected 32nd overall in 2010 by the Boston Bruins; Jarred Tinordi, taken 22nd overall in 2010 by the Montreal Canadiens; and Igor Bobkov, the Team Russia's gold-medal-game-winning goalie in the 2011 WJC U-20 tournament;

MISSISSAUGA ST. MICHAEL'S MAJORS, including Justin Shugg, played on the two-time defending Memorial Cup champs Windsor Spitfires and was taken 105th overall in 2010 by the Carolina Hurricanes; Casey Cizikas, taken 92nd overall in 2009 by the New York Islanders; Maxim Kitsyn, who played on Team Russia's gold-medal winning WJC U-20 team; Devante Smith Pelley, taken 42nd overall in 2010 by the Anaheim Ducks; Stuart Percy, a mid-round prospect in 2011; and J.P. Anderson, a San Jose Sharks prospect who was an emergency call-up this month;

NIAGARA ICE DOGS, including Alex Friesen, taken 172 overall in 2010 by the Vancouver Canucks; Mark Visetin, taken 27th overall in 2010 by the Phoenix Coyotes and goalie for Team Canada's silver-medal winning WJC U-20 team; Ryan Strome, a projected top seven pick in 2011; Freddie Hamilton, taken 129th overall in 2010 by the San Jose Sharks; Dougie Hamilton (Freddie's brother), a projected top five pick in 2011; and former NHL player Mike Van Ryn, an assistant coach on the team;

SAGINAW SPIRIT, including Jordan Schwartz, taken 97th overall in 2009 by the Phoenix Coyotes; Ivan Telegin, taken 101st overall in 2010 by the Atlanta Thrashers; and Brandon Saad, a top 10 prospect in 2011; and

SARNIA STING, including Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, both projected within the top five prospects for the 2012 NHL draft.

Circus comes to town

By J.R.
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

As I arrived at the Buffalo Sabres hotel in San Jose a few moments in time for the morning skate hockey-hounding opportunity, a half dozen dealers were already on site. I didn't need my iPod. Entrance of the Gladiators, the soundtrack for the day, was blaring in my head. Clearly, the Ryan Miller circus was in town.

For the first few minutes, the only activity was the ever increasing number of dealers making their presence felt, growing faster than the population of (Jason) Pominville. Suddenly, the front doors of the lobby swung open and former Sharks and current Sabres defenseman Craig Rivet, Nathan Gerbe and another unidentified teammate stepped out into the chilly morning air. They immediately made a right turn, walked along the outer wall and headed down the street. I grabbed my bag and caught up to them about a half a block away.

I asked Rivet if he would please sign a puck and he nodded, not uttering a sound. When he handed the puck back to me, I noticed that the autograph came out lousy. Stupid paint pens, I thought. Upon further review, let's blame the stupid individual in charge of priming said paint pens. Apparently, this is a simple lesson that I will never learn. Puck Signing 101: Make sure your paint pens are primed and ready for action.

Back in front of the hotel, sneaking peeks at the enormous and glorious Ryan Miller photographs being handled by the dealers, I recognized Patrick Lalime walking toward me from the other end of the street. I politely asked him if he would mind signing a couple of cards (shown above with one from Rob Niedermayer) and he graciously obliged.

"Man, it's pretty cold out here," he said.

"Indeed it is," I agreed. I wanted to tell him that he is from Quebec and the temperature in San Jose was probably a little warmer than what he was used to in Canada (or Buffalo), but I chickened out. Never argue with the man holding the blue Sharpie.

Not too much time elapsed when the man everybody was waiting for made his grand appearance. Miller took one look at all of "his biggest fans" and made a subtle, yet obvious gesture of slight irritation. To his credit, though, he signed at least one item (and I saw a couple of guys get two) for every person there.

Unfortunately for me, while patiently waiting for Miller to sign my puck, I missed several Sabres as they got on the bus, including another former Shark, Mike Grier. Miller may have been annoyed, but he put marker to photos and paint pens to puck for everyone.

Truth be told, Miller was certainly my No. 1 priority, but I also wanted to get former defenseman and current Sabres assistant coach James Patrick to sign a New York Rangers puck. Patrick seemed surprised that somebody recognized him and actually wanted his autograph.

"You were one of my favorite players growing up in New York," I told him.

"Thank you," he replied. "Those were some good times."

Indeed they were, James. Good times and memories. That's what autograph collecting should be about, not dollars and cents.

Fortunately, the circus theme song is finally out of my head.

Signing pucks, show above, were, from top to bottom, Lindy Ruff, Patrick, Rivet, Miller and Tyler Myers.

Blasts from the past

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

When culling cards for a visiting team, it's a good idea to remember all of the specialty sets you've likely accumulated over the years. From league-specific juniors sets to the Rookie Class offering that Upper Deck used to put out, they're an easy way to offer something beside the latest card releases.

These two, for goalie Steve Mason and forward R.J. Umberger, came in handy last week when the Columbus Blue Jackets visited Hockey Bay. They'd been sitting around for a few seasons, as we don't see the club on a regular basis.

The team's last trip, in March 2009, focused more on pucks, as I added two dozen to the collection.

Whatever works

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

In prepping for hounding the New Jersey Devils, I wanted to make sure I had something for Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson, an assistant coach for the club. My first task was to check for pucks. But upon seeing that he's signed Canadiens, Kings and Devils pucks in the past, I had to move onto to something else.

That's when I remembered we had a work-in-progress Canadiens jersey, limited to Montreal legends signing on the logo. Too bad, though, I couldn't find it, even after digging about a quarter way through The Vault and checking two closets.

I suppose I couldn't pursued the 8x10 photo angle, but didn't feel like tracking one down. That's why I went with the cards. After getting all four signed, though, it didn't turn out too bad. I'll admit, too, to being pleasantly surprised when he signed all of them.

From cards to a classic

By Commonkid
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

Doing the American Hockey League here in Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn., I get to see how different collectors go about getting things done. Most here go the card route, with some adding a few 8x10 pics and a few pucks thrown in.

With most collectors trying to get nine boards done, that can get pricey as even the lowest-priced rookies can add up. Sometimes, I think a 8x10 costs less.

Another difference is how they present them to get signed. The old standard here is a piece of cardboard and photo corners, though some will use tape as well. A second way is to cut out nine pocket pages, but this is rare. On trips to Boston, I see more photos then cards and a lot of them get sticks or other team stuff signed.

With the NHL's collective bargaining agreement the way it is, many new opportunities for us hounds of the AHL have opened up. Players like Wade Redden, shown above, in Hartford and Jay Pandolfo in Springfield, who recently retired, mean that a lot of us are now able to players that unless we traveled to a NHL city would never have gotten.

The Connecticut Whale, a recent name change from the Hartford Wolf Pack by new ownership, are having an outdoor game, called the Whale Bowl 2011, against the Providence Bruins in February. For the two weeks leading up to it, many high school games as well as some college games have been scheduled.

The highlight for me comes Feb. 19 with a Hartford Whalers-Boston Bruins alumni game. To help promote the it, the team is bringing in former Whalers players for signings. In the past, the team has brought in Pat Verbeek and Nick Fotiu, shown above. Coming up will be two former Bruins stars Rick Middleton and Rejean Lemelin.

Among the rosters for the alumni game are Brian Leetch, Brad Park, Ken Linseman, Ken Hodge and Don Marcotte for the Bruins and Nelson Emerson, Gordie Roberts, Darren Turcotte and Dave and Wayne Babych for the Whalers.

Take nothing for granted

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

I must admit, I've gotten lazy over the past few seasons in doing a certain aspect of my prep work before NHL teams visit Hockey Bay. Instead, I relied on my instincts, past experiences and eyesight in determining where teams are staying.

Last Wednesday, with the Washington Capitals in town, I had to have a slice of humble pie for breakfast. After staying at the same hotel for as long as I've been hounding down here in Hockey Bay, the Capitals pulled the old switcheroo and moved to a different hotel.

To drop a dime, I wasn't alone in my mistaken beliefs. Some of Hockey Bay's best hounds, as well as some novice hockey dealers, were also standing outside the hotel when a security guard told us the Capitals weren't staying there.

At first, we didn't believe him, as he tried that approach last season just as a player walked out of the hotel. Just in case he was telling the truth, though, I started the round of phone calls seeking out the team. Success came on the last call of the usual suspects.

Soon enough, we were at the right place, fortunately for us, at the right time. It wasn't long before Capitals players headed out for the morning skate.

The lesson learned: It always pays to do your homework.

Show of appreciation

By Ron Saar
Hockey Hounds Universe editor
Introducing someone to hockey-hounding adventures here in Hockey Bay comes with its rewards. You get to watch hockey fans marvel at meeting NHL players. You see the excitement in their faces when a star player stops to sign. You know memories are created.

Worthy rewards, each and every one.

Another reward comes when they ask if they can get some autographs for you. That's exactly what we have here, courtesy of the Twins, a couple of Colin's hockey teammates.

Over the holiday break, the boys joined us on three hockey-hounding adventures, including the New York Rangers on New Year's Day. After snagging quite a few in the morning, the boys talked their dad into staying until after the team's morning skate.

We're pumped, too, to taking up the Twins' offer, as they scored six cards and the two cheap skate cards, above, from New York's Michael Sauer and Derek Stepan for us. To be honest, I don't think they would've taken "no" for an answer.

Signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Sean Avery, Martin Biron, and Ryan Callahan; and
Bottom row: Matt Gilroy Michal Rozsival and Michael Sauer.

It's as easy as E.C.H.L.

By Moody
Hockey Hounds Universe senior correspondent

This season, I have changed my hounding focus to show my "Hockey Purist" side. I am a fan of the NHL, but will always be a fan of the lower ranks first. I would take a solid day hounding the East Coast Hockey League or juniors over an NHL team without batting an eye. However, here in Florida, those opportunities are far and few between.

Last week, I was lucky enough to hound the reigning ECHL champs, the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The team sheet (shown above) is my way of cheating a bit. I use these to find out who the player is and then rifle through my photos to get their individual signatures:

Marc Cheverie, Denver University standout and Florida Panthers draft pick


Barry Eghoetz, captain of the Cyclones, receiving the Kelly Cup

Kevin Roeder, a former Miami (Ohio) standout, on a pretty sweet celebration photo.

Kevin liked the photo so much, he asked me to send him a copy and gave me his e-mail address. Before he signed it, he took it around to several of the other guys to show it off.

Because I have hounded the Florida Everblades a few times this year, I just kind of snagged a few as they passed. I wasn't really looking to pile up:

Ross Carlson signed this Everblades shot


Jared Staal (yes, another Staal brother) signed this Everblades shot as well as one showing him with the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.

It is entirely too easy to hound these guys. Typically, there are no other hounds around and you will never find a dealer. But you will see some great draft picks, international stars and college/junior standouts.

Rock solid

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

After a couple of hockey-hounding seasons of working his hand-drawn team sheets, Colin finds himself running into teams during the 2010-11 campaign that have already filled out one of his creations. The Montreal Canadiens, who visited Hockey Bay last week, is one of those teams.

Rather than work cards, though, we opted for something a little different for his Habs team sheet. After Googling the term "Montreal Canadiens wallpapers," I came across this image, showing a Canadiens logo crafted out of stonework. Fifteen minutes later, it was being printed at our local drugstore.

Pretty cool, if you ask me, and most definitely beyond the ordinary. Montreal players, coaches and geenral manager must have thought so, too, as Colin scored 27 autographs, including such players as Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Plekanic, Carey Price and P.K. Subban, within a couple of hours.

Don't be surprised if we use this idea again. It works, doesn't it?