Hardly any room

Any Hound Central reader who's made the leap each season knows what a big fan I am of Colin's team sheets. They're easy to make, either on a computer or drawn by hand, and use. And, as you can plainly see, the players and coaches have no trouble signing them. Except, of course, running out of space.

All told, Colin racked up 22 autographs during our visit earlier tonight to a practice and scrimmage during the Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie camp at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon.

Among the more recognizable names: Victor Hedman, the Bolts' top pick in July; Carter Ashton, another 2009 first-round pick; Vladimir Mihalik, a first-round pick in 2005, and goalie Dustin Tokarski.

The biggest name to sign it, though, was none other than former NHL star Adam Oates. His signature, one of two with #77, is in the top-right corner. Apparently, Oates is in Hockey Bay lending a hand to his buddy, Bolts coach Rick Tocchet.

First of many, I hope

One could argue, if there was even an interest, that a puck found and signed during the Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie camp would qualify as an official souvenir of the event.

If that's the case, and it is, this official NHL practice puck signed by center Juraj Simek, who played for AHL Norfolk last season, actually serves two purposes. Not only is it the official souvenir of rookie camp, but it also kicks off one of Hound Central 5.0's seasonlong projects -- Colin's Pucks.

Each hounding trip Colin takes this season, he will try to get a player to sign a puck. It's his call. He can try for a star or a favorite player. It's his decision. He'll use blue ink, too, to help them stand out.

Say cheese, please

Our special project for the Lightning's rookie camp this week required getting a handful of prospects to sign their pictures with Colin. After tonight's visit, that's crossed off the to-do list.

Swedish defensemen Victor Hedman, right, the Lightning's No. 1 pick in at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and Erik Gustaffson, sandwich Colin after the Young Guns camp ended. Gustaffson, who plays for the University of Northern Michigan, isn't attending rookie camp.

Even without his name and number on his practice jersey, defenseman Vladimir Mihalik, the Lightning's No. 1 pick in 2005, is easy to pick out among players. At 6 foot 7, he's the tallest one in camp.

Despite being born in Slovakia, center Juraj Simek, Vancouver's sixth-round pick in 2006, has twice represented Switzerland at the World Junior Championships.

Goalie Dustin Tokarski, a fifth-round pick in 2008, does nothing but win. After leading the Spokane Chiefs to the 2008 Memorial Cup championship, claiming MVP honors, Tokarski backed it up with a gold medal for Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships.

Moving on up

Two of my favorite aspects to minor league team sets? That they often include cards for coaches and team staff. On Tuesday, the first of two trips to Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie camp, Darren Rumble, named head coach of the Bolt's AHL Norfolk Admirals in July, added to a couple of work-in-progress projects.

Earlier tonight, sorting through cards, I found one from his first bench gig, as an assistant with the Springfield Falcons.