Beyond the norm

Who among us doesn't have boxes upon boxes of hockey cards that you're unlikely to ever get signed? I do. It comes with the territory, I reckon, of being a collector.

One type of card I'll make an extra effort to get signed comes from a specialty set. These can be rookie stars, American Hockey League team or prospect sets or even one from the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

This variety of specialty cards proved handy when the Pittsburgh Penguins came calling upon Hockey Bay last week. Signing them were, from left, Mike Comrie, James Neal and Maxime Talbot.

Finding some room

He sure didn't have a lot of room to sign this mini-jersey, but Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward did the best he could. It's tucked in, right next to his number 30.

After having Ward sign many pucks, cards, photos, goalie masks, a Lowell Lock Monsters jersey and a couple of sticks, there isn't much left for him to sign for us.

Returning the favor

A few weeks ago, Moody asked Colin help him get Hall of Fame goalie Tony Esposito on more than one item, a sweet black-and-white 16x20 photo from his younger days. Seeing that we had only one item for Tony O, it was a pretty easy call.

Last week, Moody returned the favor, getting New York's Michael Grabner, as pleasant a surprise as there has been this season, to sign these four cards when the New York Islanders came calling to Hockey Bay.

Team report: Washington Capitals II

Every time the Washington Capitals visit Hockey Bay, I don't expect to get an autograph from Alex Ovechkin. There was a time when I'd carry a puck or two, but that was always nothing more than wishful thinking. I soon lowered my expectations, switching to cards so I could put those pucks to far better uses. Those, too, came up empty.

These days, I carry a single card of Ovechkin, part of a Russian set. It's no surprise, I suppose, that it didn't get signed during the Caps' visit earlier this month. This time, though, I can't say Ovechkin said no. The Great One did sign during the trip, after Washington's morning skate.

The only problem, however, was I was at work. Because I like the life we have, and need the cash to afford it, I won't complain. Besides, I did walk away with a baker's dozen, including 10 cards, from Ovie's teammates that morning.

Signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Jason Arnott, Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr; and
Bottom row: Mike Knuble, Tom Poti and Dennis Wideman.

Signing pucks were, from left, John Carlson and Braden Holtby.

Though I can't call it a highlight, Arnott also added to a quad jersey card project.

Team report: Montreal Canadiens II

There was a time, and it wasn't all that long ago, when we could put in nearly a full day of hounding for a team like the Montreal Canadiens. Thanks to a different work schedule, though, we don't get to do that too much any more.

Most of our hounding adventures these days, unless they fall on one of my days off from the paper, are limited to before a team's morning skate. So, when we get a time to hang out, we do the best we can.

After scoring 32 autographs, including 18 on Colin's team sheet, from the Canadiens, I'd say we had a pretty good morning. And given the horror show at game time, when rabid Canadiens fans rushed the bus (or so I was told), I'm glad we were nowhere near that mob scene.

Signing all four pucks we had, shown above, were:

Top row: Brian Gionta and Max Pacorietty; and
Bottom row: Carey Price and P.K. Subban.

Other items we added that morning:

Cards signed by Hal Gill, Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Plekanic and Tom Pyatt; and

more cards, signed by David Desharnais, Brent Sopel and James Wisniewski.

Team report: Buffalo Sabres

As a child, I'd always get excited about a parade. It didn't matter if it took place on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or at the Maple Festival in Franklinville, New York. If there was a parade, I wanted to see it.

I loved seeing the shiny red fire trucks. I liked hearing the marching bands, playing patriotic tunes as they strode, in perfect unison, past my curbside perch. And, yes, I loved scooping up the candy thrown as floats passed by.

As a hockey hound, however, I'm not a big fan of parades. I prefer having NHL players come out in two or threes, not in one, gigantic group as the Buffalo Sabres did last a couple weeks ago after gathering for a team meeting before the morning skate.

When it happens, there's little you can do to stop it. You just have to make the best of it, picking out the players you want and letting everyone else walk by. As a result, I came home with only 14 autographs, including the Sabres puck signed by Tim Connolly.

Signing cards, shown above from left, were: Nathan Gerbe, Steve Montador, Tyler Myers and Thomas Vanek.

Other highlights, so to speak:

~ Getting greedy and having Ryan Miller sign a McFarlane base;
~ Adding Thomas Vanek to the Threads collection; and
~ recognizing Brian Engblom, a former Montreal Canadiens defenseman turned TV analyst.

The Hockey Life: Week 14

It has happened every winter, ever since leaving New England and setting up shop down here in Hockey Bay. There comes a time, most often on a Saturday night, when I miss taking the back roads and highways to attend an American Hockey League game.

Though I love attending NHL games, even down here in Hockey Bay, there was something a bit more fun about taking in a game at a minor-league barn. It wasn't just the cheaper prices, either. It was like the games seemed more real, the action closer and, in a way, the night more alive. Determination filled players' faces. Boards rattled and shook. You could even smell kernels becoming popcorn.

Taking it a step further, and perhaps closer to the point, I miss hounding after AHL games. The two rinks I frequented, in Portland, Maine, and Lowell, Mass., provided some of the easiest hounding I've ever encountered. You could stand outside the players' entrance, even to the point of holding open doors. If that didn't work, the team bus was, maybe, 20 feet away. It was that simple.

I can't recall ever being really bothered by the late-night cold, even on the clearest of nights when stars were the brightest. I'm sure it has something to do with growing up in western New York. Sure, our winters were snowy. They were cold, too. Over time, you got used to it.

For all of those reasons, as well as the memories etched in my mind, there was just something about those Saturday nights. Someday, maybe, I'll get that feeling again. Until then, Hockey Bay will suffice.

A little help here

I pride myself on being able to recognize most any autograph doled out by an NHL player. But faithful reader Brett, who runs the My Hockey Card Obsession blog, has me stumped with his latest "Who am I?" contest.

I have no idea about the identities of the three signers, even with his cryptic clue. Maybe you do. If so, let Brett know. Me, too, please.

Quote of the Week

"Where's the duct tape? Where's the duct tape? Where's the duct tape?"
Colin, responding, in perfect cadence, to a nearby Lightning fan's too-loud and constant chant of "Let's go Lightning!" during the Bolts-Blue Jackets game.

Team report: New Jersey Devils

My full intention was to hound the New Jersey Devils last Friday before the team's morning skate. That all changed, though, when I learned that the Devils would be skating at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon the day before.

The only concern, though, was whether I could get over to the rink in time after picking up Colin from school. Well, that wasn't a problem.

In another sign that the Hockey Gods do, indeed, smile upon us, we weren't at the rink for more than five minutes when players and coaches started leaving the ice. Less than 45 minutes later, we'd added another 33 autographs, including 21 cards, to the collection.

Among those signing pucks, shown above from left, were Ilya Kovalchuk, Matthew Corrente and Mattias Tedenby.

Just for good measure, we also had Adam Oates, now an assistant coach for the Devils, sign this pair of pucks, too.

Among those signing cards were:

Top row: Jason Arnott, Matthew Corrente, Patrik Elias and Adam Mair; and
Bottom row: Brian Rolston, Colin White, Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus.

Other highlights from our brief, but fruitful, opportunity of hounding:

~ getting Hall of Famer Larry Robinson on four cards;
~ adding a pair of autographs from Martin Brodeur;
~ scoring a hat trick from Jason Arnott; and
~ having Patrik Elias add to the Threads project.

Team report: Washington Capitals

When you don't carry a lot of pucks for a visiting NHL team, it's no surprise when you walk away with only one. That was the case last Wednesday when the Washington Capitals came to town.

Though I had only five pucks with me, I was fortunate to score this Hershey Bears puck, signed by goalie Michal Neuvirth, before the team's morning skate at the St. Pete Times Forum.

For the most part, the Capitals came out in clumps, four to five at a time, forcing hockey hounds and dealers to pick and choose. All told, I added 19 autographs, one below my standard of a decent day of hounding.

And, no, none came from Alex Ovechkin. Though I carried a single card for him, I knew better than to think I'd get it signed. He is, by far, the toughest NHL player in terms of getting an autograph. Kids and blue-eyed blondes, my experience has shown, stand the best chance.

As Ovechkin left the team's hotel, declining every request made of him, a small crowd of about 12 to 15 hounds and unrealistic dealers sporting Washington Capitals jerseys followed him for blocks. Not a single one got an autograph at that time.

Among those signing the 16 cards were:

Top row: Karl Alzner, Jason Chimera, Eric Fehr and Boyd Gordon; and
Bottom row: Mike Green, Mike Knuble, Jeff Schultz and David Steckel.

Other highlights of the day, so to speak:

~ Learning a valuable lesson not to take things for granted; and
~ Once again, putting some cheap skates to good work.

Four for four

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. The best time to get NHL players is at the beginning of their NHL careers. Most of them, I'd dare say, are among the most willing signers, not even batting an eyelash at signing at least four cards at a time.

Last week's hockey hounding adventure for the Montreal Canadiens proves my point. Montreal's Lars Eller (from top to bottom), Tom Pyatt, P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber added 16 of the 45 cards that I got signed before and after the team's morning skate.

Getting the younger players is a good way, too, to build diversity into your autographed card collection. Not only are there NHL cards, but the American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Team Canada are all represented.

Paint pen issues

I don't know what it is, but I'm being plagued again by balky DecoColor paint pens. Over the years, these have been a reliable resource in building our 2,100-plus autographed puck collection. But these three pucks, snagged earlier this week when the Boston Bruins came to town, are the latest examples that have me looking for something new.

I swear, I take the time to prime each pen -- shaking it and depressing the tip to get the paint flowing -- before getting a puck signed. Still, though, the results are less than impressive. Though it's been chilly down here lately in Hockey Bay (by Florida standards, that is), I'm not convinced that the culprit.

While two of the pucks -- the 2010 Olympic champions puck from Patrice Bergeron and big Bruins logo from Milan Lucic -- are passable, the Providence Bruins puck "signed" by Tuukka Rask is a candidate for a do-over.

Team report: Carolina Hurricanes

For as long as I can remember, going back to our days of watching the Carolina Hurricanes play at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, we've always had pretty decent luck with them during our hounding adventures. After this week's visit, there's no reason to change that perception.

Granted, coaches Ron Francis (after 4 p.m. only) and Tom Barrasso (expect a flat-out refusal) continue to be difficult, but the Hurricanes, save for rookie Jeff Skinner (a former figure skating champion), don't shy away from Sharpies and paint pens.

Some players may sign only one, but one's better than none. All told, Colin, enjoying his first day of his Christmas vacation, and I added another 29 autographs to the collection.

Among those signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Zach Boychuk, Erik Cole, Tim Gleason (one-per) and Jussi Jokinen; and
Bottom row: Chad Larose, Tuomo Ruutu (one-per), Sergei Samsonov (one-per) and Cam Ward.

Before moving to Charlotte, N.C., this season, the Albany River Rats had been the Hurricanes' American Hockey League affiliate for the past few seasons. Former River Rats players, from left, Zach Boychuk, Justin Peters and Brandon Sutter paid homage to their days in the Empire State's capitol.

Given the thin signatures, I'm thinking of having Boychuk and Sutter resign these during Carolina's next trip to Hockey Bay.

Even Patrick Dwyer got in on the action, signing this cheap skate card. No, that isn't a big zit or a scab on his chin, it's a splotch from the printing process. Sorry, Patrick.

Rounding out a day of Hockey Bay hounding:

~ Eric Staal kicking off another hounding project;
~ Joni Pitkanen becoming the latest NHL player to sign four cards for us;
~ Erik Cole and Ian White adding to the Threads project; and
~ Colin catching up with some of his Tampa Bay Lightning buddies.

Hotlanta's hopping

I was able to make a quick trip by the Duluth, Ga., training facility to check in on the Atlanta Thrashers. Really glad that I did. Pretty much the whole team, as well as a few prospects, were there getting in some skating before camp opens.

We showed up a bit early for the Thrashers and saw a goalie out on the ice. It turns out to be Dave Caruso, a current New Jersey Devils prospect and former Ohio State Buckeye. He was kind enough to stop and talk with us for a couple of minutes before heading out to catch a flight to New Jersey.

The Thrashers then entered the ice for a little scrimmage. It's my opinion that these guys shouldn't be taken lightly this year.

As the players exited the ice (almost all at once), it got a bit crazy stopping them. I decided I would ask them as I was able to get to their page in my binder. The ones I missed, well, I'd just have to wait for another day.

Those who stopped to sign:

Akim Aliu on an 8x10;

Ben Eager on an 8x10;

Evander Kane on an 8x10, expressing dissatisfaction with Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke;

Arturs Kulda on an 8x10;

Rich Peverly on an 8x10;

Chris Mason on a practice puck; and

Head coach Craig Ramsay on a card.

Craig Ramsay being at the rink was a bit of a surprise, because I thought the coaching staff wasn't allowed to meet with the players until the start of camp. The entire coaching staff, as well as new general manager Rick Dudley, once a Buffalo Sabres teammate of Ramsay's, was on hand in the locker rooms, but not on ice.

Hmmmmmm!

Gone camping

Florida hounds camp a bit different than typical folks. Instead of the deep woods, we venture into the concrete jungle. Instead of birdwatching, we keep an eye out for hockey players. Most importantly, instead of a musky old tent, we rough it at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa.

All in all, it was still a good time spent with my little girls and our pals, Ron and Colin.

I used last week's Tampa Bay Lightning Young Guns development camp to hone my skills for finding non-NHL photos for players to sign. In my opinion, I did pretty good.

That will be the theme for the upcoming season when I hound. I will make an effort in my 8x10s to only use college, juniors and international photos.

Andrew Agozzino: Camp invitee

Carter Ashton: 2009 first-round pick

Mark Barberio: 2008 sixth-round pick

Brock Beukeboom: 2010 third-round pick

Brett Connolly: 2010 first-round pick

Mitch Fadden: 2007 fourth-round pick on game-used jersey

Scott Jackson: 2005 second-round pick by the St. Louis Blues (Photo also signed by Fadden)

Radko Gudas: 2010 third-round pick

Joe Hartman: Camp invitee

Alex Hutchings: 2009 fourth-round pick

Brandon Hynes: Camp invitee

Adam Janosik: 2010 third-round pick

Jaroslav Janus: 2009 sixth-round pick

Jim Johnson: Norfolk Admirals coach

Zane Kalemba: Camp invitee

Alex Killorn: 2007 third-round pick

Tom Kurvers: assistant general manager, at the time of this camp

Jonathan Lessard: Camp invitee

Tim Marks: Camp invitee

Matt Marshall: 2007 fifth-round pick

Brendan O'Donnell: 2010 sixth-round pick

Richard Panik: 2009 second-round pick

Kevin Quick: 2006 third-round pick (Go Blue!!)

Geoffrey Schemitsch: 2010 fourth-round pick

Dustin Sylvester: Camp invitee

Dustin Tokarski: 2008 fifth-round pick on a game-used stick

Dana Tyrell: 2007 second-round pick

Pat Verbeek: Lightning head pro scout

Luke Witkowski: 2008 sixth-round pick

Ty Wishart: 2006 first-round pick by the San Jose Sharks

Michael Zador: 2009 fifth-round pick

Teigan Zahn: 2010 seventh-round pick in the greatest fight photo ever!