Best of days

Hounding in Toronto is like hounding in most any NHL city. You have your good days, bleeding a blue Sharpie dry. Conversely, you have your bad days, when uncapping a paint pen is a waste of time. If you're lucky, you'll have far more good days than bad.

For Al, Hound Central 5.0's man in Toronto, the month of March had a few good days of hounding. Besides loading up on the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' top farm club, he snagged a nice array of items from some of the Leafs' new arrivals and their teammates:

Al made sure, as any good hound would do, to make acquaintances with new Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf, snagging the pair of 8x10s and a McFarlane base shown above.

Other rewards of Al's efforts:

Blue Sharpie always looks good on a Team Sweden jersey. At least it does on this photo of Jonas Gustavsson, who will soon have his own McFarlane;

It looks pretty good, too, on these 8x10s from Jonas Gustavsson, top, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere;

All Star Game photos, like this one for Jean-Sebestian Giguere, are seldom turned down. An all-expense-paid trip to an NHL city for a weekend of showing off and wide-open hockey? Who wouldn't be happy to remember that?

And, not to be overlooked, 8x10s from Mikhail Grabovski, top, and Francis Beauchemin, shown celebrating the 2007 Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks.

There for the asking

Leave it to Al, Hound Central 5.0's man in Toronto, to make quick work out of a Toronto Marlies poster given away before the start of a recent game. Catching up with the AHL Baby Buds at the Loafs' training facility, Al easily got most of the team to knock out the freebie.

Nice job, I'd say.

Given the relative ease of access to most AHL teams, it's a good play to follow home schedules. The rosters are stocked with the parent club's top developing prospects and, through call-ups and injuries, a rotation of goalies. It's easy enough, as Al has shown above, to find team items for a successful hockey hounding adventure.

Other bounty of Al's day trip for the Marlies:

Goalie Joey MacDonald, on one Colin's buddies, on a hounding hat trick: 8x10, puck and a card.

Bay Buds teammates Ben Ondrus and MacDonald. Ondrus also signed an NHL practice puck.

10 Questions: David Harlock

David Harlock started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and spent time with the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Atlanta Thrashers as well. He was a member of Team Canada during several tournaments, including the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Harlock played college hockey for the University of Michigan Wolverines.

More recently, he is a client services representative with the Hylant Group, an insurance company.

Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, had the honor of meeting Harlock when he played for the Thrashers. He was kind enough to sign this card for him.

In 10 Questions, Hound Central 5.0 asks NHL players -- past and present -- a few questions about their views on autographs. Former NHLer Ian Moran was the first to respond, giving us a few minutes of his time. Same with the likes of Brian Propp and Kevin Miller. We truly appreciate the opportunity provided by Harlock.

Hound Central 5.0: Did you collect cards/autographs as a kid?
David Harlock: No

Hound Central 5.0: Is signing autographs fun or a chore?
David Harlock: Fun

Hound Central 5.0: What's the weirdest thing you've ever signed?
David Harlock: Nothing stands out

Hound Central 5.0: Do people still recognize you in public?
David Harlock: Not often

Hound Central 5.0: Can you tell the difference between autograph dealers and collectors?
David Harlock: Not really

Hound Central 5.0: Does it really matter if someone is a dealer?
David Harlock: Yes. I would prefer that people do not make money off of my autograph.

Hound Central 5.0: Would/do you sign blank pieces of photo paper?
David Harlock: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person to ask for your autograph?
David Harlock: N/A

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person you've asked for an autograph?
David Harlock: Have never asked for an autograph. I would rather engage the person in a discussion than ask for their autograph.

Hound Central 5.0: Black or blue Sharpies?
David Harlock: Blue ... for the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

Hound Central 5.0 and its correspondents thank Harlock for his time in answering these questions. We appreciate his efforts, on and off the ice.

Hounding assignment

Want an autograph from former NHL goalie Olaf Kolzig? How about Gary Dornhoefer? I'm sure, too, that you've all heard of Henrik Zetterberg? Check out the Sunday Offerings, a weekly feature of tested through-the-mail addresses, over at Moody's TTM Blog.

Let him know how you do, okay?

Former NHLer Orest Kindrachuk, Capitals prospect Michal Neuvirth and five-time Cup winner Terry Harper all sent back this past week.

Sunday morning homily XXVI

As Colin started playing youth hockey, I thought I understood most every aspect of the game. I've played the game, more street than ice. Won. Lost. Tied. Reffed a few games, too. I've even driven a Zamboni.

We also knew it would be costly. Ice time, gear, skate sharpenings and G2s add up. It's worth every penny, though. There's also the investment of time, back and forth to practices and skating sessions and road trips to Ellenton across the $1-a-ride Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

What we didn't expect, however, is the emotional attachment felt by parents, ourselves included. We've had great moments, watching the Stars win on road ice and Colin scoring his first goal in organized play. There's been some bummers, too, but there's no need to digress.

Bottom line, it's all about everyone having fun.

Later today, Colin wraps up his second season of rec hockey for the Pinellas Police Athletic League Stars. Two games, down in Ellenton, with a chance to top last season's victories. Win or lose, we all get a well-deserved break.

I'll be honest. It'll be nice to get back to a less-hectic hockey pace. After a little time off, he'll have a pair of practices a week -- great opportunities to take in-game experiences into training so he'll recognize good decisions in future games. After that, he'll get into some 4-on-4 games. And, if the money's there, a week at hockey camp.

Believe it or not, that's a step back from the usual pace.

Come this fall, though, the hockey game bug will be back. New gear. Long Sundays. More predawn rides across the Skyway. I can't wait.

No great loss

Depending upon your perspective, Buffalo's 7-1 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Lightning last night was one of two things: 1.) sheer, unadulterated enjoyment; 2.) the final nail in the Lightning's season. Given my allegiances, I rather enjoyed the game. Goalie Patrick Lalime needed it. Now, let's see if the Sabres can make some noise.

For the Lightning, it marks the third straight season of missing the playoffs. For the fans, it'll be time to forget another frustrating season. Flashes of brilliance, namely Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis, dulled by inconsistency, especially captain Vinny Lecavalier.

For Hockey Bay's hounds, it means another season of shutting it down until late summer. Good thing, too. Had the Lightning made the playoffs, they would have played the Capitals. No matter where you're from, we all know the inevitable outcome. Oh, yeah, the Capitals would have swept the Bolts.

5 Big Sigs

With the Lightning still on a road trip, this week's hounding opportunities are limited to the New York Rangers. With decent luck last trip, I'm hoping that's a continuing trend and we add these items:

~ a McFarlane base signed by goalie Henrik Lundqvist;
~ Marian Gaborik on Minnesota Wild and 2007 NHL All Star Game pucks;
~ rookie defensemen Matt Gilroy on Rangers and Boston University pucks;
~ Erik Christensen and Olli Jokinen adding to the Threads collection; and
~ a nice, full team sheet from the Rangers.

Taking full advantage

To some, late-season hockey hounding is the equivalent of mop-up duty. You have mostly conference or division teams making trips, so it offers a decent opportunity to tie up loose ends of the annual campaign.

That's the approach I took Tuesday when the Carolina Hurricanes, a Southeast Division foe of the Tampa Bay Lightning, made the second of three trips to Hockey Bay this season, snagging an assortment of items, including this 8x10 photo signed by 'Canes keeper Cam Ward, for the collection.

Though I will likely hound the Hurricanes on their third trip, tying remaining loose ends into a season-ending knot, I considered it a good day after adding 21 autographs, mostly on specific cherry-picked items.

As is the case lately, an assortment of cards, more than pucks, made up the bulk of the day's bounty:

Top row: Zach Boychuk, Jussi Jokine and Chad Larose;
Middle row: Justin Peters, Joni Pitkanen and Tuomo Ruutu; and
Bottom row: Sergei Samsonov, Brandon Sutter and (the ever-grumpy) Ray Whitney.

Signing pucks were, from left, Zach Boychuk, on a Lethbridge Hurricanes puck, and Brandon Sutter, on a Red Deer Rebels puck (Yes, my troubling trend with silver paint pens briefly resurfaced).

These cards were signed by, from left, Zach Boychuk, Justin Peters, Joni Pitkanen and Manny Legace.

Other highlights from hounding the Hurricanes:

~ Having Rod Brind'Amour and Jussi Jokinen complete the 2009-10 MVP Two on Two quad memorabilia card;
~ Erik Cole and Eric Staal adding to the Threads project; and
~ Snagging the fifth card of the Jumbos project.

Don't knock retail

We all know that hobby boxes of hockey cards, no matter the maker, produce the best premiums -- memorabilia cards, autograph cards, rookie cards and, if you're lucky, the very rare 1/1. That's not to say, though, that retail blaster packs, found at such stores as Target and Walmart, don't yield gems.

In the case of 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Hockey, it was jumbo cards of the base set. These cards, including this one signed Tuesday by Carolina's Eric Staal, work just fine. In fact, they've become another season-long hounding project -- Jumbos.

Crossed off the list

Now that the 2009-10 hockey-hounding campaign is drawing to a close, I've ramped up my cherry-picking efforts for a few select items. This 2009-10 MVP Two on Two quad memorabilia card is one of them.

On Tuesday, Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour and Jussi Jokinen sealed the deal, so to speak, when they signed the card, joining Florida's Cory Stillman and Nathan Horton, who kicked off the card in mid-January.

Like I wrote back then, this card is the centerpiece of theThreads project, meaning its completion sat high atop the must-get-done list over the campaign's final weeks.

Not too bad, I'd say, for a card pulled from a retail blaster box.

Fitting in

When starting the Threads project earlier this season, I wasn't sure how many big-name NHL players would become a part of it. For the most part, I didn't want to use any jersey cards for those caliber of players.

Over the course of the 2009-10 hockey-hounding campaign, though, those early objections have gone by the wayside.

Moreso for Carolina's Eric Staal than teammate Erik Cole, who added to the project before and after Tuesday's morning skate, I've been more than happy with the results of working NHL stars into the rotation.

Serving a purpose

When it comes to creating Hound Central 5.0 polls, I have to admit there have been times when the well has nearly run dry. There are only so many questions that can be asked without running the risk of duplication.

Enter Al, Hound Central 5.0's man in Toronto, for lending yet another helping hand. In an e-mail, he suggested that HC5.0 asks its faithful about paid, private signings, instances where fans send in an item, as well as a check or money order, to have a NHL player sign. Once done, the session's promoter returns the item.

For many people, these signing sessions are the only way to score an autograph from a favorite player or finish off a prized team item. For others, though, they're less than ideal. Not only do you have to pay for the autograph, you have to trust that the player actually does the signing.

For this specific poll, the results can be viewed two ways. Taking each of the three answers separately, it's readily apparent that the majority of HC5.0's faithful are a faithful lot, as more than 46 percent found paid private signings as useful. However, if you combine the remaining answers, more than 53 percent of those taking part feel that our faith, as well as our dollars, are best placed somewhere else.

As a hound with pretty good access to NHL players, I have little use for paid private signings. I get my autographs in person, spending money only on the items being signed and the gasoline required to drive back and forth to Tampa or Brandon. For others, though, I can certainly appreciate the usefulness of these sessions.

To me, Al's question is more of a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. There were no right or wrong answers. It's what works best for each person. And there's nothing wrong with that, is there?

Question: Paid private signings?

Useful: 21 votes out of 45 cast (46.7 percent)
Pay for an autograph?: 16 votes (35.5 percent)
Avoid them: 8 votes (17.8 percent)

Back for Buffalo

After missing out on the Buffalo Sabres' first trip to Hockey Bay because of my work schedule, I was eagerly looking forward to hounding my hometown team last week. To me, a hockey-hounding campaign just isn't fun when it doesn't include your favorites.

As expected, I wasn't disappointed, adding 32 autographs, including 21 cards, to the collection.

Signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Chris Butler, Tim Connolly and Paul Gaustad; and
Bottom row: Jochen Hecht, Patrick Lalime and Adam Mair.

A handful of specialty cards dominate this group:

Top row: Tyler Myers, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy; and
Bottom row: Drew Stafford, Henrik Tallinder and Thomas Vanek.

At first, I wasn't sure how many pucks I'd be able to get signed on last Thursday's trip to Tampa.

But after remembering the NHL trade deadline deal for Raffi Torres and researching his career, I was able to put this Brampton Battalion puck, from his junior days in the Ontario Hockey League, to good use.

Also signing cards were, from left, Mike Grier, Toni Lydman and Steve Montador.

Chris Butler, left, and Tim Kennedy signed the Portland Pirates practice jersey.

Other highlights from hounding the Sabres:

~ Ryan Miller salvaging his Team USA portrait;
~ Legendary Sabres' head equipment manager Rip Simonick signing a pair of pucks;
~ Winning a stick signed by Drew Stafford through a Tom Hanks movie trivia contest;
~ Having Tim Connolly and Henrik Tallinder add to the Threads project; and
~ Snagging rookies Tim Kennedy and Tyler Myers on cheap skate cards.

My box of chocolates

Buffalo's Drew Stafford was walking down the sidewalk last Thursday after the Sabres' morning skate carrying one of his hockey sticks. A handful of hounds approached him, asking for autographs.

One of us asked what was he doing with the stick. Well, he said, he was going to give it away. First, though, one of us would have to earn it.

How, we asked. We'd have a contest, he replied. What kind of contest? A movie trivia contest, he said, specifically, a round-by-round, single-elimination naming the titles of Tom Hanks' movies.

My winning answer, at the beginning of the third round: Forrest Gump, if you can believe that. I'd already spent Joe Versus the Volcano.

Thanks, Rip

As a Buffalo kid, my roots for the Sabres run deep, back to the days of the French Connection, Billy Inglis and George "Punch" Imlach. Throughout the team's history, though, there's been one constant -- Rip Simonick, who's been a part of the Sabres' equipment staff since Day One.

For that reason alone, having Simonick, now the team's head equipment manager, sign a Sabres puck has been one of the few remaining goals of my hockey-hounding career. Well, after last Thursday, that little task was finally crossed off my to-do list.

That's not to say, though, it didn't come at a price. First, Simonick questioned why I would want his autograph. That's simple, I told him, you're an original Sabre. Simonick, who joined the Sabres organization from the American Hockey League's Buffalo Bisons, smiled at my response.

Then, I fumbled the Sabres puck, dropping it from its case and watching it roll away. That, too, caused Simonick to smile, as I chased the puck down the sidewalk. His reaction -- pointing at me in wonder, as in "What's up with this?" -- drew laughter from my fellow hounds.

I wasn't the least bit embarrassed. After waiting as long as I had, Simonick, a 2000 inductee of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame, finally signed these pucks.

Salvage job

During the Buffalo Sabres' first trip to Hockey Bay this season, this photo of goalie Ryan Miller was the victim of a rogue paint pen, which led to a a sizable glob ruining what was a perfectly fine autograph.

Not wanting to throw it away, I used a variety of tools (eraser, a dab of Goo Gone and a black Sharpie) to erase the mess and get the photo back into circulation. Colin was rather pleased with the results.

All you have to do is ask

After missing out on getting two members of the Phoenix Coyotes to sign jersey cards earlier last week, I specifically asked Buffalo's Tim Connolly and Henrik Tallinder to apply blue Sharpie to thick slabs on cardboard when the Sabres came to Hockey Bay. As you can plainly see, they were more than happy to add to the Threads collection.

Always a solution

The problem with rookies, when it comes to hounding, is there's very little, other than pucks or photos, for them to sign. That's why I believe these cheap skate cards are a very useful tool. Without them, I wouldn't have had much for Buffalo's Tim Kennedy and Tyler Myers last week.

Sunday morning homily XXV

It's hard to believe, isn't it, that the 2009-10 NHL season is nearly over? It seems like it was just last month that we were scoring our first autographs of the hockey-hounding campaign before the Tampa Bay Lightning's training camp.

Nearly 1,500 autographs later, though, we're down to our last few adventures of the season. Granted, the campaign could be extended, provided the Lightning finds a way to make the playoffs. I doubt that will happen.

So, yes, it's been a long season, just like the past few years, with the wide range of highs and lows, laughs and frustrations, and the miles of pounding the pavement. But, it's been a special season, too, for a number of reasons:

~ More than anything else, we hit an impressive milestone -- adding the 2,000th autographed puck from Boston's Patrice Bergeron, Colin's best NHL buddy;
~ Hound Central 5.0 has given a voice to other hockey hounds, including Moody, the blog's senior correspondent; Al, our man in Toronto; and all who've taken part in our Your Turn project; and
~ Providing another example of sticking with someone you've started, even if it meant adding more to an already loaded plate.

As I've said many times before, Hound Central 5.0 represents the end of the line of my major commitment to blogging about hockey hounding. Simply put, it's time to step back and see who, if anyone, steps up to match the body of work over the past five seasons.

Until season's end, though, it'll be full speed ahead. I've ground it out so far, so there's no sense in scaling back now. In fact, I'll push hard to finish strong. I don't know of any other way.

Going racing

The streets of downtown St. Petersburg will come to life this weekend as the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, featuring the top Indy Racing League drivers, tear up the asphalt.

Though we had plans to take in Sunday's race, the last two games on Colin's winter hockey season come first. Instead, we'll take in Saturday's afternoon's action and, if it happens, make our way through the fan-friendly autograph session.

Of course, we'll try to get Danica Patrick's autograph. I get the sense, though, that the line, just like last year, will be very long. Still, I know of one young fan who won't mind the wait.

And, really, do you blame him?

5 Big Sigs

Unlike last week, when the Phoenix Coyotes and the Buffalo Sabres came to town, only the Carolina Hurricanes, a Southeast Division rival, will visit. As a result, one might think the pickings could be pretty slim. That isn't the case:

~ Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour and Jussi Jokinen on a 2009-10 MVP Two on Two quad-player jersey card;
~ Carolina's Zach Boychuk on a Lethbridge Hurricanes puck;
~ Carolina's Brandon Sutter on a Red Deer Rebels puck;
~ Carolina's Eric Staal on a jersey card for the Threads project; and
~ Carolina's Erik Cole on a jersey card.

No need to howl

There's just something about Western Conference teams when they visit Hockey Bay. Most, if not all, certainly aren't shy about signing. And we're certainly not hesitant to ask.

Though other obligations kept me from spending an entire day hounding the Phoenix Coyotes, and likely rivaling other big-number efforts from Western Conference this season, a solid morning of hounding Tuesday produced another 56 autographs, including a season-high 21 pucks, for the collection.

Signing pucks, shown above, were:

Top row: Ilya Bryzgalov, Martin Hanzal and Mathieu Schneider; and
Bottom row: Viktor Tikhonov and Keith Yandle.

Also adding to the mound of pucks were:

Top row: Jason LaBarbera, Petteri Nokelainen and Taylor Pyatt; and
Bottom row: Ulf Samuelsson and Jim Vandermeer

Quite a few players signed cards, too:

Top row: Vernon Fiddler, Jason LaBarbera and Sami Lepesto;
Bottom row: Matthew Lombardi, Zbynek Michalek and Derek Morris; and

Top row: Tyson Nash, Petr Prucha and Lee Stempniak; and
Bottom row: Jim Vandermeer, Radim Vrbata and Daniel Winnik

Signing specialty sets cards were, from left, Adrian Aucoin, Martin Hanzal, Lauri Korpikoski and Keith Yandle.

Cheap skates cards signed by Paul Bissonnette and Viktor Tikhonov.

Other highlights from the Coyotes:

~ Shane Doan living up to his reputation;
~ Robert Lang dispelling a notion;
~ A trio of defensemen signing multiple pucks;
~ Keith Yandle completing a "doubles" card; and
~ Daniel Winnik signing our UNH jersey.

Top Shelf: Shane Doan

Phoenix's Shane Doan enjoys a reputation as one of the most hound-friendly players in the NHL. After signing these two pucks Tuesday, the Coyotes captain did nothing to dispel that image.

It's only through my reticence, too, that I didn't get a double-swatch jersey card signed. I'm fairly certain, though, it shouldn't be a problem that next time we cross paths.

Hogwash, I tell you

Over the years, I'd heard that Phoenix's Robert Lang wasn't the most willing of signers. It's funny, then, how perspectives change. All it took was for Lang sign these three pucks after Tuesday's morning skate for me to now offer that others' perceptions might be a bit outdated.

To the defense

In nothing more than sheer coincidence, it's a bit amusing, if you ask me, that three of the five Phoenix Coyotes who signed multiple pucks earlier this week were defensemen. Perhaps it's because they're more grounded and less prone to shameful acts of self-importance.

Following that line of thinking, let's just say that most NHL defensemen are the consummate team players. Most aren't afraid to get their noses dirty, stick up for their teammates and, as you can see, sign more than one puck at a time.

For that, I'm grateful to these three players, from top: Adrian Aucoin, Ed Jovanovski and Zybnek Michalek.

Double down

It might take some time, but when it happens it truly brings about a genuine sense of accomplishment. What am I talking about? Heck if I know.

No, really, I do know what I'm talking about. It's this 2006-07 O-Pee-Chee rookie Showdown card, completed earlier this week when Phoenix's Keith Yandle joined former Coyotes' teammate Keith Ballard, now with the Florida Panthers.

Honestly, though, completing cards like this, which I call "doubles," is easier said than done. In some cases, one of the players has moved to a different team, meaning at least two trips before completing the task. Other times, though, it's simply a case of priorities.

No matter the issue, though, they do look pretty sweet once completed.

A select few

Every so often, I remember that our work-in-progress jersey for University of New Hampshire alumni in the NHL. One of those times came Tuesday, when the Phoenix Coyotes, and former Wildcats player Daniel Winnik, paid a visit to Hockey Bay.

Granted, there may not be too many former UNH players in the NHL, but this jersey represents those who've played over the past few seasons. In fact, Winnik became the fourth player to sign it this season, joining Philadelphia's James van Riemsdyk, Atlanta's Jason Krog and Lightning goalie coach Cap Raeder.

Others who've signed it are St. Louis' Ty Conklin (then with Detroit) and Atlanta's Darren Haydar.

A letter-by-letter guide to the signatures:

U: Jason Krog and Daniel Winnik
N: Ty Conklin and Cap Raeder
H: James van Riemwsdyk (the tiny scribble) and Darren Haydar

Good question

It's no coincidence that the latest Hound Central 5.0 poll is related to Through-The-Mail, or TTM, autograph requests. With Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, entering the blogosphere with his Moody's TTM Blog, I wanted to raise more awareness here at Hound Central 5.0 of the TTM practice and his new blog.

Now, Moody's taken it up a notch, offering to dig deeper into the issue of whether TTM is truly hounding. Between the poll's results and comments that he's soliciting at the post, Moody will answer the question, for once and for all. More than anything else, though, we need your input. Please, as a favor to us, participate in the poll and stop by Moody's blog and share your thoughts on this issue.

For the record, I believe there's a huge difference between the two approaches.

After having completed a 1,000-request TTM project from 2000 to 2002 (averaging close to 70 percent success, too), I understand that it takes a sincere effort. For the most part, too, it's a useful tool, as it's the only way that some people can get autographs from hockey players.

In-person hounding, though, is much more in-depth, from the preparation to the travel and expense to the actual face-to-face interaction with the players. There's just something about the process, as well as actually meeting the players, that adds to the experience.

From where I sit, TTM is not hounding. It's not even close.

Useful information

If you're into TTM signing like Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, you'll appreciate the latest resource -- addresses for American Hockey League teams -- that he's posted at his pet project, Moody's TTM Blog.

With the regular season winding down, it's a good time to make a final push for prospects and players nearing the end of their professional hockey careers.

Way to go, buddy boy

In the grand scheme of things, a goal scored in a recreational hockey league game is, at best, a blip on the radar of life. On the personal level, though, scoring a goal is huge, especially when it's the first with your latest team.

We found that out yesterday when Colin scored his first goal for the Pinellas Police Athletic League Stars, a nifty wrap-around backhander that he stuffed past the goalie. From where I sat, it was a real beauty, circling around the back of the net, cutting in close and driving it home.

And, yes, Colin, as well as his teammates, quite enjoyed his "Wall-E" celebration. The Missus and I just looked at each other and smiled. High-fives and fist bumps soon followed.

My only complaint is self-directed -- I wasn't videotaping, so we don't have it captured on tape. Had I been, it would have happened right in front of my normal perch. Oh, well, there will be others -- hopefully.

More than anything else, it was Colin's first reward for all of his hard work in practices, clinics and skating sessions.

10 Questions: Brian Propp

Brian Propp started his National Hockey League career with the Philladelphia Flyers and spent time with the Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars as well. He was a member of Team Canada during several tournaments, including the 1992 World Ice Hockey Championship. Propp played in five NHL All-Star Games and is a member of the Flyers Hall of Fame.

If you ever get a chance, take the time to learn how the famous "Guffaw" started.

More recently, he is a vice president for the Judge Group, a staffing, training, vendor management and business technology solutions company.

Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, had the honor of meeting Propp when he played for the Flyers. He was kind enough to sign these cards for him.

In this new feature, Hound Central 5.0 asks NHL players -- past and present -- a few questions about their views on autographs. Ian Moran was the first to respond, giving us a few minutes of his time. We truly appreciate the opportunity provided by Propp.

Hound Central 5.0: Did you collect cards/autographs as a kid?
Brian Propp: No

Hound Central 5.0: Is signing autographs fun or a chore?
Brian Propp: It is fun signing

Hound Central 5.0: What's the weirdest thing you've ever signed?
Brian Propp: Forehead

Hound Central 5.0: Do people still recognize you in public?
Brian Propp: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Can you tell the difference between autograph dealers and collectors?
Brian Propp: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Does it really matter if someone is a dealer?
Brian Propp: 1. No. Doesn’t matter to me

Hound Central 5.0: Would/do you sign blank pieces of photo paper?
Brian Propp: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person to ask for your autograph?
Brian Propp: Howie Mandel

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person you've asked for an autograph?
Brian Propp: Gordie Howe

Hound Central 5.0: Black or blue Sharpies?
Brian Propp: Black

Hound Central 5.0 and its correspondents thank Propp for his time in answering these questions. We appreciate his efforts, on and off the ice.

Sunday morning homily XXIV

It's not like he's become my nemesis. Nope, not in the least bit. I'm beginning to wonder, though, what it's going to take. For the past few seasons, I've carried a pair of pucks for Buffalo Sabres' legendary head equipment guy Rip Simonick. I've come home short every trip.

Now, I understand some might question my decision to have a staff guy sign a pair pf pucks. Well, as a Buffalo kid, and especially a Sabres fan, this guy is as old school as they come. He's been with the Sabres since Day One. Before that, he served with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League. Hence, the two pucks.

With the Sabres coming into town this week, I'll have another opportunity to get the pucks signed. If history repeats itself -- and I hope it doesn't -- it could very well be time to move on. I've left messages for him at a team hotel and talked to members of his staff over the years. To date, nothing has worked.

I entertain no delusions that Simonick is purposely avoiding me. Sidney Crosby? Maybe. But, no, not Rip. Instead, it's more about schedules. By the time I drag my carcass over to Tampa, he's already been at the rink for an hour. From what I hear, he stays there most of the day.

Of all the pucks we've gotten signed, it's hard to believe that I'd be so focused on these two. From a equipment guy, no less. I guess that's a part of being a Sabres fan. Sooner or later, it'll happen.

Hello, old friend

Tuned in to the NHL Network early enough last night to see an old buddy -- Peter Puck. How many of you remember him during intermissions of televised games in the 1970s? Just like the Sabres, that's how far back we go.

It's good to see Peter Puck's shtick hasn't changed, dispensing bits of hockey wisdom in simple terms that even a (fill-in-the-blank) fan could understand. I'm sure there are a few of us who learned a rule or two from him.

Even better, at least where I'm sitting from, was Colin's disbelief that I watched Peter Puck when I was about his age. Yes, it made me feel old. Just another instance, I believe, where hockey transcends age.

5 Big Sigs

Beyond the obvious pair of pucks, here's what we're also hoping to add this week when the Phoenix Coyotes and Sabres hit Hockey Bay:

~ Phoenix's Ilyz Bryzgalov on Coyotes and Ducks pucks;
~ Phoenix's Shane Doan on 2004 World Cup of Hockey-Canada and Canada souvenir pucks as well as a double-swatch jersey card for the Threads project;
~ Phoenix's Viktor Tikhonov, now that he's been called back from Russia, on a Coyotes puck;
~ Phoenix's Jim Vandermeer on a Red Deer Rebels puck; and
~ Buffalo's Tim Connolly and Henrik Tallinder on jersey cards for the Threads project.

Gallery: P.A.L. Stars practice

Brian Bradley, a former Tampa Bay Lightning player, ran the Pinellas Police Athletic League Stars squads through a practice earlier this week at the Clearwater Ice Arena. The players, from PAL's bantams and pee wee/squirts squads, worked on stickhandling, passing and skating.

Players from both squads teams gather before the practice.

Colin waits his turn to take part in a drill as Bradley provides on-ice instructions.

Players from both squads wait to run through a drill.

Colin tries to get one last shot past his goalie after a short-ice, double-net drill.

Did I mention there's always lots of skating at these practices? Well, there is.

Your Turn III

Thank goodness for faithful readers. If it wasn't for these fine folks, this collection of hounding reports wouldn't be possible.

Let's see what they've been up to:

Michael

Hounding out of Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., Michael takes advantage of his proximity to American Hockey League cities. This is his first report:

"Doing mostly the AHL, you don't get the big names but players who are on the rise over time like Thomas Hickey, Nikita Filatov, Tuukka Rask and Marc-Andre Fleury. Even the year of the NHL lockout, we were able to get Eric Staal and Patrice Bergeron on multiple items.

"Then, there are those players looking to just get another chance, like Adam Hall, Ryan Craig and Mark Parrish among others (you will notice I mentioned a lot of Tampa players).

"And if you pay attention to the transaction page from the AHL you get players sent down for conditioning. The Islanders' Rick Dipietro and Marty Biron were down this year.

"Even with all that, the ones to watch out for are the scouts. In the past few years, I've gotten Brad Park, Bill Barber, Larry Robinson and Kevin Lowe, among others.

The main difference in hounding the NHL vs. the AHL is the attitude by both the hounds and the players. When it comes to the hounds, there is less pressure to get things signed. So, no one is pushing or shoving to get something signed.

"The players themselves seem more willing to sign. I have noticed that when some players get to the NHL, their habits will change and many no longer sign multiples or sign at all.

"I can remember sitting in a hotel in Springfield with another hound watching TV. The Bruins were on. John Slaney, then with the Philadelphia Phantoms, came out of the elevator, signed and then sat down to watch the game with us.

"We were later joined by other members of the team who all signed and made comments about the game. Then there is the times you get to players or former players sitting in the stands and you get to hear a lot of great stories.

"And for all you puck collectors, one to get if you don't have it would be Marty McSorley. Well worth the wait. And ask him about his movie role in Con Air; he was the pilot."

Keith

Keith and his wife don't mind making the drive from Memphis to Nashville to watch the Predators. They leave work early on game days so they catch the earliest of the players.

Phoenix Coyotes: "I bailed out of work around noon and we got out of Memphis around 12:30 and in downtown Nashville by 3:30. As we pulled up to the team's hotel, we realized that the team bus was just pulling up in front of the main entrance. This is always a good sign, in that it ensures that we haven't missed any early players.

"Since it was cold, we ducked into the hotel to grab some hot coffee from the Starbucks in the lobby. As we were walking out to take our regular spots outside the hotel, we spotted former Pred and current Yote, Vern Fiddler, checking out. He followed us out and was more than happy to sign a couple of pucks and chat a bit while he flashed his newly reconfigured smile. He recently lost four teeth in a harsh meeting with a slapshot.

"Shortly thereafter, the players came out in groups. We missed out on Jovu as he had hotel staff wave down a taxi immediately after loading his bags into the bus. Most of the team, though, was fair game and was happy to sign after ditching their luggage. Most opted to walk the three blocks to the arena.

"We scored multiples from Peter Mueller (who insisted on priming each paint pen before signing ... great guy), Ilya Bryzgalov, Shane Doan, Taylor Pyatt and Keith Yandle. Others signing were Robert Lang, Adrian Aucoin, and Radim Vrbata. The only player who boarded the bus and didn't return to sign at all was goalie Jason Labarbera.

"And although he was called up from the AHL a couple of days prior and listed as as a healthy scratch that night at the game, we never saw Mikkel Boedker walk over. He since has been sent back down.

"All in all, a great trip worthy of the six-hour round trip. It's a shame the Preds lost, though."

J.R.

J.R., checking in again from San Jose, shares this head-scratcher:

"Joe Thornton stopped to sign after practice. The first person he tried to sign for was a female who had a black Thornton T-shirt. Her silver Sharpie wasn't working, so I gave her mine to use. She also had him sign her Sharks team sheet (the generic ones sold in the team store, not drawn like the ones your son creates).

"He then walked right past me and signed about another 8-10 autographs before heading into the locker room.

"Here's my deal. I won't yell, beg or draw any unnecessary attention to myself to get a player to sign. Thornton obviously saw me, but decided to move on. That's fine. I can try again some other time."

BEV

BEV, hounding in Toronto, shares another story of enjoying inside-the-hotel access:

New Jersey Devils: "I had an opportunity to hound the New Jersey Devils prior to game time Feb. 2. when they were in Toronto. Obviously, my main goal was to get an auto from Martin Brodeur. I was also looking for a sig from Devils coach Jacques Lemaire. I also kept an eye open for assistant coach Scott Stevens and special assignment coach Larry Robinson.

"I only collect Hall of Famers, so the rest of the team did not interest me. The team was staying at a high-end Hyatt hotel downtown. I was also staying at the hotel, so I freely made my way back and forth between the lobby and the 15 hounds on the sidewalk.

"The game bus parked on the street in front of the north tower of the hotel around 3:30 p.m. Security staff put up waist-high fences across the sidewalk that the hounds had to stay behind. Unfortunately, this interfered with pedestrians using the sidewalk, who had to walk around the hounds and fences.

"The players got to the bus by walking through a special door that lead through the kitchen of the hotel restaurant. Security was very tight. There were several plainclothes security guards with earpieces in the lobby and on the sidewalk. Lobby access to the players near the special kitchen exit was minimal due to the number of security staff.

"Around 3:45 p.m., I noticed Lemaire outside on the sidewalk having a cigar. After he was done his stogie, I asked him for an autograph in French and he gladly signed a Montreal Canadiens logo card for me. Several hounds by the bus saw me and brought over sticks, pucks, etc., to get signed. He signed everything.

"Around 4:00 p.m., I returned to the lobby and noticed several players walking through the lobby to the south tower of the hotel. For some reason, player after player went to the south tower of the hotel before they went to the team bus parked by the north tower. I never did figure it out. Maybe they were dropping off room keys or something.

"Anyway all the security folks were in the north tower or by the bus. I sat in a chair by the south tower elevators, pretending to read my Brodeur autobiography (with a blue sharpie hidden underneath). Sure enough, Marty comes walking through the lobby toward the south tower.

"I show him his book and ask for an autograph in French. He immediately recognizes the book and walks over to me to sign it. I tell him I am looking forward to reading it. He thanks me for buying it. Perfect.

"I was two-for-two and decided to head out to the street to see how the other hounds were doing. By now, it is about 4:30 and all the players are heading out to the bus. Let me say that most of the team was very good at signing. Almost every player signed for every hound who asked. Only Rob Niedermayer and Jamie Langenbrunner needed to be coaxed by the hounds but they did sign.

"Also note that some of the players did not use the special kitchen exit and exited through the front doors of the lobby. They walked right out to the sidewalk/street, tried to blend in with pedestrians and board the bus without the hounds noticing. Of course the hounds noticed this and got the sigs they wanted.

"When it was time for Brodeur to board the bus, the hounds went into a screaming frenzy. He came out of the special kitchen exit and to the right-hand fence. Immediately in front of me, he signed a team photo for a guy, a puck for a guy and boarded the bus. That was two sigs for the 15 hounds. I thought about getting something else signed, but I was happy with the book. I never did see Stevens and Robinson.

"It was a great outing for me adding two more Hall of Famers to my collection."

Rewards of effort

It was almost an afterthought that Colin and I went out to hound the Atlanta Thrashers this past Saturday morning. It wasn't that we didn't want to go, it was a question of whether the best conditions even existed.

More than anything else, I suppose, the Thrashers, as a Southeast Division for of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are a frequent visitor to Hockey Bay. That means we see them three times a year. Factor into the equation, please, the fact that a road race was taking place near the team's hotel. I also had to work later that afternoon.

Still, after adding another 57 autographs, including 31 cards, I'm glad we didn't stay at home. Even if it meant a long day for everyone involved (and, yes, it did), it was certainly time well spent.

Signing cards, shown above from left, were:

Top row: Nik Antropov, Colby Armstrong and Zach Bogosian; and
Bottom row: Tobias Enstrom, Johan Hedberg and Evander Kane.

Also signing cards were, from left:

Top row: Slava Kozlov, Bryan Little and Johnny Oduya; and
Bottom row: Marty Reasoner, Jim Slater and Todd White.

One of the more obscure items we've gotten signed this season was this 4x6 photo of Thrashers' goaltending coach Steve Weeks.

Though he's signed a handful of cards and team sheets for us in the past, this picture, showing Weeks in his days with the Los Angeles Kings, had been kicking around since a fellow hound gave it to Colin earlier this season.

It's always a good idea, I believe, to check out a team's coaching staff for former NHL players. Though I may not always remember to do it, it's an easy way to add to the day's haul.

Other highlights from Saturday's morning-skate-only session:

~ Twenty-two members of the Thrashers organization signing Colin's team sheet;
~ Maxim Afinogenov and Bryan Little adding to the Threads project; and
~ Evander Kane putting a Thrashers mini pennant to good use.