Useful, I'll tell you

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

I had this Lowell Devils pucks kicking around the stockpile, when I remembered that Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen came up the the AHL team's parent club, the New Jersey Devils.

A little research showed that Clemmensen played a few games in the Massachusetts mill city during the 2206-07 and 2008-09 seasons. Not wanting to let this puck collect any more dust, I made it part of the late-season push to top 2,300 autographed pucks for the collection.

Rounding 'em up

By Puckhound
Hockey Hounds Universe editor

Unless this is your first rodeo, cowboy, it's fairly common knowledge among established hockey hounds across North America, maybe even Sweden, that New Jersey goalie Johan Hedberg is a more-than-willing signer.

If you didn't know this, though, consider yourself duly informed.

These three pucks, obtained during the Devils' recent visit to Hockey Bay, are proof that Hedberg will sign more than one item.

Brag Book: Phoenix Coyotes

Hound: Puckhound, Hockey Hounds Universe's editor
Hounding opportunity: Phoenix Coyotes trip to Hockey Bay
Where: Westin Harbour Island hotel, Tampa
When: February 2011

Let the bragging begin:

Sean Burke, top, and Andrew Ebbett;

Vernon Fiddler, top, and Lee Stempniak; and

Kyle Turris.

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.

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.

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.