The Hockey Life: Week 16

I don't think twice anytime I have the chance to add the owner of an NHL team to our autographed puck collection. Though their names never end up on the score sheet, they're much more important than any star player.

That's particularly the case down here in Hockey Bay. After the circus that was the Tampa Bay Lightning over the past few seasons, Jeff Vinik has brought stability to the franchise.

Hiring Steve Yzerman as the Bolts' general manager saw to that. The Guy Boucher hire has turned out pretty good, too.

So, when I saw Vinik pull into the St. Pete Times Forum not too long ago, I knew exactly what I'd do with the spare Lightning puck that had been kicking around the hounding bag.

Now, about those new uniforms. Well, I'm not sure about them. To me, they look like they were borrowed from the comic book character, The Flash. I'm wondering, too, if the team won't be soon known as the Sha-Zams!

Tip of the helmet

Just a quick note to thank you for stopping by Hound Central 5.0 and its family of hockey autograph blogs. Last month, HC5.0 posted its best-ever monthly numbers for visitors (1,885) and page views (4,341) since it went live in August 2009.

Not only that, but Moody's TTM Blog and Hockey Hounds Universe, the latest addition to the Hound Central family, had their highest numbers ever.

With all the blogs and sites available on the Web, we truly appreciate your time.

And to Moody and Al, Hound Central 5.0's two senior correspondents, as well as the others who've contributed over the past two seasons, a sincere thanks for all of your efforts.

Quote of the week

"I don't think a kid asking me to personalize a photo to him will end up putting it on eBay, that's why."
Freddy Meyer, an Atlanta Thrashers defenseman, to a pouty dealer wondering why Meyer signed two autographs for Colin and only one for him.

Team report: Atlanta Thrashers II

Seeing that we've hounded the Atlanta Thrashers more than one time this season, our expectations were considerably lower. That's the thing, I suppose, with division foes. They come to town so many times during the season that, at times, it's easy to pass on the hounding opportunity.

Having said that, though, I'm glad we went out for the Thrashers. As usual, they lived up to their reputation as one of the more fan-friendly teams in the NHL. Aside from Tobias Enstrom, who's become increasingly tougher with each passing season, you're limited only by the number of items you have for the Thrashers.

Proof of that are the pucks shown above. Though we carried twice as many, walking away with two, from Alexander Burmistrov, left, and Freddy Modin, was more than sufficient. We had a pair of pucks for Dustin Byfuglien, but he grew frustrated with double- and triple-dipping dealers, before walking off. No worries, though, as the Thrashers will be back next season.

All told, our game-time session added another 43 autographs to the collection.

Signing cards were:

Top row: Nik Antropov, Niclas Bergfors, Eric Boulton and Zach Bogosian; and
Bottom row: Nigel Dawes, Johnny Oduya, Ondrej Pavelec and Rich Peverley.

Other highlights from the day:

~ Colin resorting to his Plan B for a team sheet;
~ hooking up with a fellow Rochester, N.H., kid; and
~ getting captain Andrew Ladd to complete a nice gesture.

Colin's Plan B

Over the course of his growing number of hockey-hounding campaigns, Colin has built up a sizable collection of team sheets. For the most part, he'll use one of his hand-drawn logo team sheets to load up on autographs.

After hounding a team for the third or fourth time, and running out of alternate logos to use, he didn't want to give up on his tried and true approach. That's why he's turned to using a team's wallpaper image, like this one for the Atlanta Thrashers, as a platform for his team sheet adventures.

The players and coaches don't seem to mind, either. Last Sunday, Colin scored 23 autographs on this one, including signatures from Nik Antropov, Alexander Burmistrov, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Freddy Modin and Ondrej Pavelec, among others.

Small town connection

He may not be a household name within the NHL fan base, but Atlanta's Freddy Meyer has a big fan in the youngest hound within the Puckhound household. You see, both spent time growing up in and around Rochester, N.H., a small city along the New Hampshire-Maine border.

And, for Colin, that connection alone is enough to make a point of saying hello, as well as getting an autograph, anytime Meyer visits Hockey Bay. Cool thing, too, is that Meyer says he remembers Colin for that reason.

Next time, I'll suggest to Colin that he use a blue Sharpie, rather than a silver, so the autograph "pops" better.

Team report: Atlanta Thrashers

A long time ago, getting anything less than 25 autographs myself was considered a poor hockey-hounding effort. These days, I'm happy with just a handful of autographs. When I bring along Colin, though, it's an entirely different story.

It's no surprise, then, that he outhounded his old man last week -- by nearly a 10-to-1 margin -- when the Atlanta Thrashers, one of the best-signing teams in the NHL, came to Hockey Bay. All told, we scored 52 autographs -- our best single-team effort of the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign, so far -- with Colin racking up 47 to my five.

It's safe to say, at the risk of bragging, that the kid is a chip off the old block. Now, with three hounding adventures planned over his holiday break, we'll see if he can keep it up.

Until then, though, here's a look at some of the items we added to the collection:

Signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Zach Bogosian, Alexander Burmistrov and Dustin Byfuglien;
Middle row: Andrew Ladd, Freddy Meyer and Johnny Oduya; and
Bottom row: Ondrej Pavelec, Rich Peverley and Chris Thorburn


Increasing the international flavor of our autographed puck collection, which now numbers 2,185 and likely counting, were, from left, Zach Bogosian (USA souvenir), Evander Kane (Team Canada) and Ondrej Pavelec (Czech Republic souvenir).

The remaining highlights on the trip:

~ Having plenty on hand for Alexander Burmistrov, taken eighth overall at the 2010 NHL Draft;
~ having five players sign four cards each;
~ Andrew Ladd adding to the Threads collection; and
~ helping out a fellow Hockey Bay Hound.

Adding up

Though hockey hounds often use nineboards when getting cards signed, we're happy, for a number of reasons, with offering only four cards at a time. It has nothing to do with not wanting to be greedy because, yes, we like getting as many autographs as we can.

Instead, I like using a compact card book, one that fits easily into a pocket. Even moreso, I don't want to take the time involved in not just putting together nineboards, but actually working that many cards for players.

Another reason, especially this season, is the cardbook is easier for Colin to handle. After last week's visit by the Atlanta Thrashers, he has a significant number of reasons why he's finding cardbooks useful.

All told, he scored 47 autographs from Thrashers players, including these five who signed all four cards he offered:

Forwards Nik Antropov and Evander Kane;

forward Bryan Little and goalie Chris Mason; and

defenseman Brent Sopel.

Editor's note: This is the 500th post of Hound Central 5.0. Special thanks to those who've helped out and to our faithful readers.

The stack grows

Another team, another addition to the Threads collection. This time it's Andrew Ladd, captain of the Atlanta Thrashers, who added to our work-in-progress project.

So far, we're up to 56 cards completed.

Later, during warmups, Ladd tossed Colin a puck. With any luck, we'll get that signed when the Thrashers return to Hockey Bay on Jan. 23.

In return of a favor

Though we don't focus much on getting 8x10s signed, I seldom look a gift horse (or in this case, an 8x10) in the mouth. So when asked to help out a fellow Hockey Bay Hound with Atlanta's Dustin Byfuglien, I didn't hesitate.

In return for getting a signed picture of Byfuglien holding the Stanley Cup, I added this one to the collection. I must say, too, that it's nice that Byfuglien signed on a clear portion of the photo. Too many times, I've seen players sign on the darkest part of a photo or card.

When worlds collide

Here we are, the 2010-11 NHL season hasn't even started, and I'm reporting, at least from a hockey hound's perspective, a troubling stat: I'm 0-for-2 in card books. Thinking I'd given myself a head start by getting card books ready for the Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers, I won't be able to use either just now.

Last week, the Florida Panthers arrived only hours before a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, taking a bus to the St. Pete Times Forum after landing at Tampa International Airport. No overnight stay meant no hounding opportunities.

Instead, we looked ahead to this Saturday, when the Atlanta Thrashers travel to Hockey Bay for the Bolts' season opener. With any luck, we would've reached the team's hotel with enough time to break the ice. Well, that's not going to happen know.

Funny thing, though, I'm not complaining. Colin has a hockey doubleheader with his Pinellas P.A.L. Stars squad this Saturday. I'll miss the first game, as I have to work. I'll make it for his second game.

When it comes down to it, the decision is a no-brainer. Watching Colin put a summer's worth of skating to work during his hockey games tops everything else.

Besides, both Southeastern Division rivals will be back. I'll kick off my hockey-hounding season Oct. 18, when the Dallas Stars fly over the Gulf of Mexico.

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!

Stockpiling material

One of the more enjoyable projects during the 2009-10 hockey hounding campaign was adding to the Threads collection of signed jersey swatch cards. Though we'll be scaling back during the 2010-11 season, in terms of items and trips, continuing this project will represent a major part of our efforts.

Thanks to eBay, I've been cherry-picking some jersey swatch cards over the past few weeks, adding to the inventory. As you can see, some fairly big names, including Buffalo's Ryan Miller, Hall of Famer Joey Mullen, Ottawa's Jason Spezza and Florida's (for how long?) Tomas Vokoun were part of the haul.

A couple of cards from the 2009-10 MVP Two on Two quad memorabilia series have also made the 2010-11 campaign lineup:

The top card of the two shown, featuring younger NHL defensemen, won't get completed this season as Vancouver and reputed toughie Kevin Bieksa won't travel to Hockey Bay this season.

The bottom card, showing members of Nashville's 2009-10 roster, will get worked in October, when the Predators play the Tampa Bay Lightning, but will have to wait until Jason Arnott and his New Jersey teammates hit Hockey Bay in January to be completed.

Family Vacation

As some of you may know, the Moody family spent the last week of the NHL season in Atlanta on spring breaks. We got to see some great sites and spent a lot of time together. We highly suggest a trip to Stone Mountain as well as the Georgia Aquarium. Great times were had by all.

Before our vacation, we hounded the Thrashers in Tampa. During the trip we spent more efforts getting pictures with the players than getting items signed. We got those personal photos signed while we were on vacation.

A small summary of our Vacation Hounding Adventures at the Atlanta Thrashers practice facility:

Pucks signed by Clarke MacArthur, Eric Boulton and Don Waddell;

A photo of Mikayla signed by Johnny Oduya, Ondrej Pavelec and Jim Slater;

A photo of Eric Boulton and Mark Popovic with Mikayla; and

Max Afinogenov and Slava Kozlov also took time to sign their photo with Mikayla.

Signing cards for us were:

Top row: Johnny Oduya, Tobias Enstrom, Slava Kozlov and Nik Antropov; and
Bottom row: Clarke MacArthur, Pavel Kubina, Chris Chelios and Ondrej Pavelec.

All of the Thrashers players were awesome, but we have to give special thanks to Pavel Kubina. He was kind enough to come over and talk to Mikayla and spent some time reminiscing about his run with Tampa Bay. He even remembered her from 2004, when she brought him a Care Bear and wished him good luck during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Last-minute tasks

Going into the Tampa Bay Lightning's final home game, we really only had a handful of items that we wanted to get signed as we hounded the Bolts' following a morning skate.

Two of those items concerned rookie Victor Hedman.

As you can see, Colin was able to deliver, getting Hedman, the team's top pick in 2009, to complete the 8x10 of him and Atlanta's Evander Kane in a posed, "playful" moment before last year's draft.

The other item, a ticket stub featuring the Swedish defenseman. I'd found it a few days earlier tucked under a seating section sign inside the St. Pete Times Forum. Rather than throw it away, I figured it was better off recycling the item.

Why not ... again?

Sometimes when I've visited NHL practices over the past couple of seasons, I'd pick up a puck or two that make it over the glass. Most of the time, I give them to the kids who are running around. Sometimes, if there are no kids, these items go into the "What if" pocket in my hounding bag.

You know ... What if Stevie Y unexpectedly comes to town to scout for the Canadian national team? What if anyone worthwhile, who isn't associated with the two competing teams, walks by and I don't have anything else to get signed? That when these pucks come in handy.

During the last week of the 2009-10 season, I went with the "Why not?" approach and added two of these pucks to the signature side of my collection.

This puck was signed by Randy Sexton, one of the founders of the Ottawa Senators. He's now the guy responsible for making a hockey team in South Florida. I can only hope the best for him.

This puck was signed by (at the time) Atlanta Thrashers G.M. Don Waddell. After all, he did play in one NHL game with the Los Angeles Kings. His name's on the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings.

More importantly, he is a fellow Michigander ... Michiganite ... Michiganian ... . Whatever, he's from Michigan.

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.

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

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.

Keeping a good thing going

I'll let you in on a little secret here at Hound Central 5.0. Though I may not be as active in hounding over the 2010-11 NHL season, there's one thing I won't step away from -- putting Colin in the right place at at the right time to add to his team sheet collection.

Seeing how much fun he has with them, as well as the compliments he gets from the players, it would be foolish not to continue with his hockey-hounding tradition.

This past Saturday, Colin missed only Pavel Kubina on his latest team sheet for the Thrashers. In all, 22 players and coaches signed this effort.

Threads: Atlanta duo

As the hockey-hounding campaign enters its final month, we'll use our time wisely to button up some loose ends in some of our season projects. In the case of the Threads project, Atlanta's Maxim Afinogenov, top, and Bryan Little brought the season's total to two dozen cards when they signed these Saturday.

With a little luck (always helps, doesn't it?), there's no reason we can't end the 2009-10 project with 30 signed jersey cards.

Beyond the ordinary

Just because a player is in his rookie NHL season doesn't mean it's easy to run out of items for him.

Sure, you can alway use pucks, photos or custom cards instead of high-end rookie cards for autographs. Team items work, too.

In the case of Atlanta's Evander Kane, Colin used this Thrashers mini pennant to add to Saturday morning's haul.