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.

Moody's Olympics Gold: Team Canada

Team Canada won its last gold medal in 2002, but failed to medal in the last Olympiad, earning only a seventh-place finish. Of the 23-man roster, I've managed to get 21 players from the NHL-rich squad, only missing out on Philadelphia's Mike Richards (kinda) and Dallas' Brenden Morrow

Cards signed by some of Team Canada's forwards:

Top row: Anaheim's Corey Perry, Columbus' Rick Nash, San Jose's Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley; and
Bottom row: Calgary's Jarome Iginla, Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Boston's Patrice Bergeron.

More cards signed by Team Canada players:

Top row: Philadelphia's Chris Pronger, Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer, Chicago's Duncan Keith and Los Angeles' Drew Doughty; and
Bottom row: San Jose's Dan Boyle, Chicago's Jonathan Toews, San Jose's Joe Thornton and Carolina's Eric Staal

Even more cards signed by Team Canada players:

Top row: Vancouver's Roberto Luongo; and
Bottom row: Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Nashville's Shea Weber and Chicago's Brent Seabrook.

Most of these cards have been signed in the past two seasons, either in Hockey Bay or South Florida.

Concerning Richards, I do have an autograph from him. Unfortunately, though, it's on a wrong card.

Really, do we need two?

Last season, it was Toronto's Jason Blake appearing twice in Upper Deck's 2008-09 NHL MVP 300-card base set. This season, it looks like Philadelphia's Daniel Carcillo has gained favored status.

The release of the 2009-10 NHL Fleer Ultra has not one, but two cards of the latest in a long line of Broad Street Bullies. Even better, each card shows Carcillo in a different jersey -- at home and on the road.

While this isn't a knock against Carcillo, but I'd like to think there are other NHL players, with skills equal to or greater than his, who are more deserving of a card.

Once again, it looks like someone was asleep at the wheel at Upper Deck, which produces the Fleer Ultra line. Given UD's history, it's not that much of a surprise where quantity, rather than quality, often drives the dollars.

Having said that, though, I must applaud the card makers for the 2009-10 release. The photography shown within the 200-base-card set is top-notch, showing nice action pictures. The graphics treatment, especially the last name in large letters, score points, too.

Bottom line: Nice preseason release that features players moved at the 2008-09 trade deadline wearing the uniforms of their new teams. That alone warrants a buy rating.

Looking ahead: 2009-10 NHL O Pee Chee, with a Sept. 29 release date.