Farm hands

By Mike
Hockey Hounds Universe Toronto correspondent

The Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs AHL club, held an open practice recently at Burnhamthorpe Arena in Mississauga. Afterwards, the team had a free signing session. That's where I added these:

Signing the cards shown above are Joe Colborne (top) and Fabian Brunnstrom.

Signing these pucks were Colborne, left, and Jake Gardiner.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

Oh, really now

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Though I wasn't a witness to either incident, but am relying on Hockey Bay Hounds I trust, it seems that Boston's Tuukka Rask, above, and Shawn Thornton, at left, had a case of the potty-mouths Tuesday during their stay here in Hockey Bay.

Thankfully, both incidents took place far, far away from young, tender ears and, from what I was told, were directed at the adult hounds and a handful of dealers requesting autographs.

In Thornton's case, it was a blanket statement toward everyone as a group of Bruins, heading off to the morning skate, were unsuccessful in avoiding a crowd of hounds: "You guys are (expletive deleted) annoying!"

Little did Thornton realize, perhaps as a result of one too many punches to his kisser, that most Hockey Bay Hounds took that as a compliment. I would've thanked him.

Later, another Hockey Bay Hound told me through Facebook that Thornton and Rask were surly at bus time at the team's hotel, to the point of cussing at hounds. I didn't get the details, nor would I really want to know. To be honest, I wasn't even surprised.

Either way, these actions by Rask and Thornton were truly unprofessional.

Really, all they had to do was say "no" and go about their merry way. Or, they could have repeated what they did when Colin approached both after the morning skate, and ask for a hound's first name so each could personalize their autographs.

To collectors like us, it's not a big deal. Dealers? Well, I can't speak for them.

Taking what we can get

By Scott B.
Hockey Hounds Universe correspondent

We went to the South Florida hotel for the Boston Bruins recently. We were able to get Dennis Seidenberg, Nathan Horton, Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, Andrew Ference and Mark Recchi.

Not bad, if you ask me. A defenseman who leads the league in blocking shots. The Bruins' leading scorer this season. A Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and regular All-Star. A Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender who is on fire this season. And a potential Hall of Famer who's always gracious with his time.

Recchi is a true class act. Unlike some of the others who ignore the five people trying to get signatures.

The Florida Panthers, my hometown team, were out west this week, but when they come back, some of the Western Conference teams come to town. So, hopefully, there will be some more information on the way.

Mix things up

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

If you're a hound who gets only cards signed, you likely value variety in your offerings. Simply put, variety can range from manufacturers, sets, teams and a team's different jerseys. That's the approach we use anytime an NHL team comes calling to Hockey Bay.

Case in point, these cards signed by Boston Bruins players during their recent visit to Hockey Bay. Among those adding to our collection:

Top row: David Krejci, Adam McQuade and Michael Ryder; and
Bottom row: Dennis Seidenberg, Marco Sturm and Blake Wheeler.

Even the direction of the card, such as these horizontal examples, can be a factor:

Top row: Milan Lucic and Jordan Caron; and
Bottom row: Mark Recchi and Daniel Paille.

Three-day adventure

By Commonkid
Hockey Hound Universe correspondent

Last Saturday, I drove to Riverside Mass., to take train into Boston as its a lot easier than driving all the way. They were working on a bridge, so it turned out to be train to a bus back to the train.

Main thing, we arrived on time as on the day was able to get most of the Ottawa Senators to sign something, except for Alex Kovalev, who claimed he signed for everyone the night before, and Brian Elliot. But, overall, most of us there were pleased with the results.

Did the quick walk over to the TD Banknorth Garden and did the Boston Bruins there. The only ones who didn't stop were Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand. Tim Thomas only signed for the kids that day. But I was happy to get Tyler Seguin.

On Sunday, we shot over to Mansfield, Mass., for a show. Reason being, Bruins legend Terry O'Reilly did a signing. Then, down to Providence for the Abbotsford Heat, the Calgary Flames' AHL team. Again, a very good signing team, as all the players and coaches signed. One of the Heat's goalies, Leland Irving, was great as he signed everything we had.

Well, back to Boston on Monday for the New Jersey Devils. Due to traffic, we thought we might be late, but arrived about three minutes before the players boarded the bus for a optional skate. One of which was Martin Brodeur, who signed the 8x10 shown above.

Then, we went over to the Garden where I was able to get most of the players I missed Saturday. Missed Patrice Bergeron each time, as he walks out a different entrance. Next time, though, I'll stake out that area. After lunch, we went back to the Devils' hotel and was able to get a few more players, including another Brodeur and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Some of the other items I got signed:

An 8x10 from Boston's Tyler Seguin, the No. 2 overall pick at the 2010 draft; and

An 8x10 from Boston's Tim Thomas, taken after the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park.

Off to a good start

By Commonkid
Hockey Hound Universe correspondent

Well another American Hockey League season has gotten under way. The usual group of hockey hounds gathered in Springfield, Mass., for the start of our 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign.

After catching up with what we'd all done over the summer, we talked about what we thought of the new affiliation (The Springfield Falcons are now a farm team for the Columbus Blue Jackets, not the Edmonton Oilers). Everyone agreed the Falcons should better than last year.

The new team means all new faces to learn, for both players and coaches. As the rosters were not exactly set yet, it's been sort of a hit-and-run start. We'll do better as the season goes.

So far, though, we've hounded the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes), Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers), Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins) and, of course, the Falcons. Among the players who've signed for us include Charlotte's Zach Boychuk (shown above), Hartford's Wade Redden (who limited everyone to two autographs and didn't seem too happy to be there) and Providence's Joe Colborne.

Hopefully, the season will be fruitful for us all. And to us TTMers, we're hoping for full mailboxes.

Target-rich environment

When Upper Deck gathered likely members of the 2010-11 NHL Rookie Class at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Toronto earlier this month, it made perfect sense for Al and Mike, two of Hockey Hounds Universe's Toronto-based correspondents, to attend and get in a little preseason hounding.

Really, is there any reason, other than living in Florida, that any hockey hound wouldn't attend an event like this? When you have top prospects like Edmonton's Taylor Hall, shown above, taken first overall in June's NHL draft, in your vicinity, it could be viewed as a crime not to make a play.

Also attending the event were Boston's Tyler Seguin, taken No. 2 overall in June; Edmonton's Jordan Eberle; and Los Angeles' Brayden Schenn.

Al, our senior Toronto correspondent, got Hall to sign this Oilers puck and an 8x10.

Mike, our other Toronto-based hound and resident Ontario Hockey League expert, added these pucks to his collection.

Top row: Edmonton's Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi, Columbus' Ryan Johansen and Carolina's Jeff Skinner; and
Bottom row: Vancouver's Jordan Schroeder, Dallas' Scott Glennie and Seguin.