Team report: New York Islanders II

For no other reason other than Blogger is having some technical issues with its blogs, including this one, I'm going to keep this short and, hopefully, sweet. Besides, after nearly 600 posts, I've run out of different ways to describe nondescript hounding adventures.

All I can say is that another 20 autographs, including nine pucks, were added to the collection during the Islanders last visit to Hockey Bay. Nothing spectacular, I hate to say, to report. No funny stories, either. I hope you understand.

Signing pucks, shown above, were:

Top row: Michael Grabner and Al Montoya; and Bottom row: Matt Moulson and John Tavares.

Signing cards were, from left, Jack Hillen, Zenon Konopka, Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit.

Other highlights:

~ Doug Weight completing our NHL career collection of him;

~ Moody returning a favor on Michael Grabner cards;

~ using a pair of U.S.A. souvenir pucks in our push to top 2,300; and

~ taking a risk, in a sense, with a couple of Bridgeport Sound Tigers pucks.

Done with Doug

Unless Doug Weight, captain of the New York Islanders, ever plays for another NHL team, this Anaheim Ducks puck, which he signed last week, represents the completion of our NHL career collection for him. A gracious signer, he's one of the more personable players in the league.

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.

Part of the push

As we make the late-season drive to top 2,300 autographed pucks for the collection, these nation-based souvenirs pucks are coming in pretty handy. Last week, with the New York Islanders in town, Al Montoya, left, and Kyle Okposo added this pair to the effort.

As of today, with three teams left to visit and one last visit for the Lightning, we stand only 13 away.

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.

The Hockey Life: Week 2

When doing my research for any future hockey-hounding adventure, I always look for some sort of personal connection between us and NHL players.

Birth dates are one of the first connections I explore, looking for one that's shared between us and a player. Then, I'll look at hometowns, hoping to find a commonality, such as a city or state that we've lived in.

When getting ready for the New York Islanders recently, defenseman Mike Mottau's hometown of Quincy, Mass., caught my eye. We lived there for a few years during our most recent stint in New England.

Mottau's eyes lit up when I asked if he'd be willing to say hello to a fellow Quincy kid, a certain 9-year-old hockey pest in training who, despite being born at a hospital a couple towns south of Quincy, still spent the first two years of his life staring out a sliding glass door of our condo at the Quincy shipyard.

"Sure," Mottau said, "I'd be more than happy to do it."

As you can see, the Quincy boys posed for a photo. Mottau also signed this puck to commemorate the occasion. We'll ask Mottau to sign this picture for Colin when the Islanders return in March 2011.

Here you go, guys


Too many times, we've been on only the receiving end when it comes to hounding. It's something, I suppose, that comes with the territory. Leave it to Colin, though, to change it up.

While we waited for Tampa Bay's Ryan Malone and Mike Smith to arrive for a signing session Thursday at the Champs store in International Plaza in Tampa, Colin drew pictures to give the players.

For Smitty, it was a new design for his goalie equipment. For Bugsy, it was a picture of him scoring a goal. Both got quite a kick out of the drawings, thanking Colin for his efforts.

Intense rivalry

If you ever told me I'd be totally entertained at a high school hockey game, I'd likely tell you that you've flipped your wig. After attending the Palm Harbor University-East Lake game Friday night, I'd have to apologize and thank you for the tip.

Going in, I'd heard that these two teams aren't real fond of another. I was warned, too, that we might encounter some language unfit for grandparents and a certain 9-year-old. What we encountered, however, was a fast-paced, action-filled game that was truly entertaining.

Even better, there was no admission fee. Can't beat that deal, can you?

Line of the week

"Do you know who I am?"
Pittsburgh's Ben Lovejoy to a Hockey Bay Hound asking to get a photo with the young defenseman.

10 Questions: Ken Belanger

Ken Belanger started his career in 1994 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders.

These days, Belanger is an alumni field representative for the NHL and the founder of GHL (Global Hockey Loop) real estate and relocation services.

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. Since then, there have been quite a few former NHL players who've responded.

We truly appreciate the opportunity provided by Belanger.

Hound Central 5.0: Did you collect cards/autographs as a kid? If so, who's your favorite autograph?
Ken Belanger: As a kid I use to collect hockey cards

Hound Central 5.0: Is signing autographs fun or a chore?
Ken Belanger: Signing is not a chore or fun. It's a part of being a pro hockey player. But when you see a kid with a big smile from a signature, that's what it's all about.

Hound Central 5.0: What's the weirdest thing you've ever signed?
Ken Belanger: An old dirty jersey with ketchup and mustard stains everywhere

Hound Central 5.0: Best/worst cities for autograph hound/dealers?
Ken Belanger: Depends where in the U.S. No, sometimes in the Canadian cities

Hound Central 5.0: Can you tell the difference between autograph dealers and collectors?
Ken Belanger: Yeah, it's the same guy asking year after year or he's wearing three jerseys and asks to have them all signed

Hound Central 5.0: Does it really matter to you if someone is selling your autographs?
Ken Belanger: To me, no.

Hound Central 5.0: Would/do you sign blank pieces of photo paper?
Ken Belanger: Yes, for sure

Hound Central 5.0: Any items you won't sign?
Ken Belanger: Too many concussions

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person to ask for your autograph? Most famous person you've asked for an autograph?
Ken Belanger: Wayne Gretzky

Hound Central 5.0: Black or blue Sharpies?
Ken Belanger: Black

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

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.

Moody's Olympics Gold: Team Switzerland

I wanted to take advantage of the Olympic break to show off the diversity of my collection with a small picture gallery for a few of the teams.

Team Switzerland is my first team. The Swiss, or Suisse, have never won a gold and only finished sixth in the last Olympics played in Torino, Italy.


Shown are cards I've received in the past from various Suisse forwards through fan packs:

Top row: Martin Pluss, Sandy Jeannin and Ivo Ruthemann; and
Bottom row: Hnat Domenichelli and Romano Lemm

I have also been fortunate enough to land a few defensemen, including, from left, Rafael Diaz, Philippe Furrer and the New York Islanders' Mark Streit.

Rounding out the Suisse's three-man goaltending squad are the Anaheim Ducks' Jonas Hiller, Dallas Stars prospect Tobias Stephan and Ronnie Rueger.

Stress relief

In all honesty, I never should have gotten a single autograph Thursday from the New York Islanders. Instead, I came home with another 28. You see, the Houndmobile, nearing the end of its long run, threw a belt as I made my way to Tampa.

After nursing it into a parking space, I came to the realization it couldn't be fixed there. I called AAA and arranged for it to be towed back to my mechanic in St. Petersburg. And then Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, agreed to drive me back home.

I figured what the heck, might as well get some autographs. What was I going to do? Sit around and stew about a car repair. That didn't sound like a whole lot of fun. So, Moody and I headed over to the team's hotel, albeit a bit later than normal.

But even that worked out. As we walked across a bridge, who did we run into? How about the Islanders' John Tavares, Jeff Tambellini and Matt Moulson? Needless to say, we put our private signing session to good use.

Among the 21 cards signed yesterday:

Top row: Blake Comeau, Bruno Gervais and Andrew MacDonald;
Middle row: Matt Moulson, Kyle Okposo and Richard Park; and
Bottom row: Dwayne Roloson, Rob Schremp and Jeff Tambellini.

The other highlight of the day? Getting Doug Weight to sign a couple career highlight cards.

Oh, yeah. the car repair? It was $230, plus a $95 tow. Who says hockey hounding isn't an expensive hobby?

It's not that hard to spell

Far be it from me to complain after the Islanders' John Tavares signed this puck Thursday, but it's another example of an NHL player misspelling Colin's name.

In Tavares' case, he made it out to "C-O-L-I-O-N" even after I slowly spelled it for him, letter-by-letter, after hearing he tends to do that with certain items.

Makes you wonder just how much did the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick pay attention in school. Then again, when you know you'll be a millionaire by 18, life skills like spelling are probably not too important.

Oh, well, it's still an autographed Tavares puck. We're happy to have it.

Try this

Granted, this isn't brain surgery, but showing cards depicting a player in a positive moment of his career certainly increases your chances of getting an autograph. I applied this principle Thursday in getting the Islanders' Doug Weight to sign these two cards.

Growing Monarchy

We've had a bit of a run on the AHL Manchester Monarchs practice jersey. Less than a week after getting Anaheim's George Parros to sign it, New York Islanders players Jeff Tambellini (far left) and Matt Moulson (bottom right) added to the work-in-progress project Thursday.

Parros' signature is above one from Los Angeles' Dustin Brown.

For the rest of the season, we can hope to add the Rangers' Brian Boyle, Carolina's Joe Corvo and Tim Gleason, Phoenix's Jason Labarbera and Buffalo's Adam Mair.

Better than none

As the 2009-10 hockey hounding campaign wears on, I keep revisiting our stash of jersey swatch cards to pluck at least one for every team that travels to Hockey Bay for the season-long Threads project.

In the case of the New York Islanders, I had four, but managed to get only these two signed Thursday by goalie coach Mike Dunham, above, and winger Jeff Tambellini.

I also had cards for goalies Rick Dipietro and Martin Biron. Dipietro, however, arranged private transportation between the Westin Tampa Harbour Island hotel and the St. Pete Times Forum. And, Biron, who's no stranger to Sharpies, was sent down to AHL Bridgeport on a conditioning assignment.

Sunday morning homily XVIII

I know arguments can be made that this weekend's Hockey Weekend Across America is nothing more than a rip-off of Hockey Day in Canada. But, you know, so what if it is? The idea behind both events, even if one is purely a made-for-TV event, is that it celebrates the sport of hockey.

Too bad, then, that wasn't the case for our young hockey player. Though his second season of rec hockey with the Pinellas Police Athletic League Stars was supposed to begin last weekend, it's been pushed back to next weekend. Had the season started on schedule, as we believed it would when we made our payment, he could have been a part of the U.S. initiative by actually playing a game.

At the most, we celebrate Hockey Weekend Across America by having Colin work on his skating during a public session later today.

Now, this isn't a condemnation of the P.A.L. organization or its coaches. They work very hard teaching their young charges how to play the game and, more importantly, how to approach life. I'm sure, too, his P.A.L. Stars teammates all wish they were actively participating in Hockey Weekend Across America.

But, no, that isn't the case.

In what's becoming something of a sad realization, the hockey director at his home ice arena in Clearwater has had difficulties putting together a schedule. This isn't the first time, too. Last fall, we overloaded Colin's schedule, signing him up for fall baseball because we hadn't heard there would be a season. At the last moment, one was cobbled together. Earlier last year, a fee we paid for a season of pee-wee hockey that never materialized was used for more Hockey 101 and 201 classes.

I can't say with certainty why these delays keep happening, but I have a hypothesis. Because the travel teams don't seem to have this problem, it's my guess that the fact they pay considerably more -- upwards of $2,000 a season per player plus travel costs -- is a driving force behind their ease in scheduling. Sure, I wish we could afford such expenses, but I'd rather have Colin's skills and effort, not an ability to fork over huge sums of cash, earn him a spot on one of those "elite" squads.

A couple of weeks ago, as I ran Colin through some skating drills at a rink inside a shopping mall, I was approached by another father wanting to know how long Colin had been skating. Our conversation soon turned to learn-to-skate programs, intro-to-hockey sessions and rec hockey leagues for his 5-year-old son. I had the opportunity to steer the father toward Colin's home ice arena in Clearwater, but I didn't. Instead, I suggested he try another of the three rinks here in Hockey Bay, either in Oldsmar, Brandon or Ellenton.

After this season, I'm thinking it's time to follow my own advice.

Maybe he remembered

A few weeks ago, when the Montreal Canadiens were in town, Scott Gomez snubbed most every request to sign an autograph before the team's morning skate. Afterwards, as he was getting a ride back to the hotel from the Lightning's security staff (What's up with that?), he busied himself by reading a newspaper as, once again, he denied autograph requests made by others.

I couldn't help myself: "Hey, Gomer," I shouted. "That word you can't figure out? It's 'the.' "

Last week, with the Canadiens back in Hockey Bay, Gomez had an apparent change in heart over his signing habits. Except for me, that is. After asking if he had time to sign a Canadiens puck, he looked up me, said "No," and then signed for another couple of hounds.

As I relayed the exchange to Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, he said it would have been funny had Gomez responded with "That word I'm having trouble with is 'No.' "

If he had, and I wished he would have, I was ready with my retort: "Okay, Gomer," I told Moody, "but can you spell it?"

5 Big Sigs

Another two-team week awaits, so here's what we're hoping to add:

~ New York's Rick Dipietro on the right-handed goalie glove;
~ New York's Jeff Tambellini and Mike Dunham to the Threads project;
~ New York's Dwayne Roloson on his 2004-05 UD Hockey All-World Edition card;
~ Calgary's Jarome Iginla on Flames and Canada pucks; and
~ Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester on a Flames puck.

Pure dedication

We all owe Al, Hound Central 5.0's man in Toronto, a round of applause. It's well-deserved, trust me. When the Toronto Maple Leafs had a game-used gear sale recently, Al was first in line, awakening around 5 a.m. and making the 45-minute drive into Toronto for the event.

Here's Al's report:

"When the doors opened precisely at 10 a.m., we were led into the Leafs dressing room where the sale was held. There were skates, pants, gloves for sale, but mostly just sticks.

"I was looking to get a helmet, which I could have taken to a practice and have the entire team sign. Unfortunately, the team is not allowed to sell the helmets because the helmets would have been taken out of service because they were broken.

"A lot of the people who go to these sales use the equipment for their own hockey careers ... and if the helmet was broken, they would risk serious head injuries (as if being a Leaf fan isn't enough -- Al wrote that, not me).

"I saw Vesa Toskala's catching mitts going for $200. They had stitching on them stating whether they were practice mitts or game mitts. By the time I left, most of the stuff had been picked through. Most of the remaining stuff was from players who are no longer on the team.

"But I did note that as I was walking out, there were at least 100 people still standing in line. I spoke with a father there with his two kids. He told me that he was not there for the sale, just to take his kids into the dressing room. I didn't even think of that. What a thrill for the kids to go into the dressing room."

Don't worry, though, as Al didn't go home empty-handed. Not after getting up at 5 a.m. Here's what he added to his autograph stock:

Here's a real nice game-used stick of Tomas Kaberle; and

a game-used stick of Alexei Ponikarovsky.

Here are a few more shots from the sale:

Al was right. I imagine it was quite a thrill for Leafs fans to get an up-close look at the Leafs' locker room.

Leafs fans had their pick of game-used sticks, didn't they?

Goalie Joey MacDonald, one of Colin's buddies on the Leafs, had plenty of sticks available. Those on the right look like they're from his days with the New York Islanders.

Good deal

Living in Ontario and attending Ontario Hockey League games affords hockey fans the ability to watch tomorrow's NHL stars today, says Al, Hound Central 5.0's correspondent in Toronto.

It also makes it quite easy to snag autographs from tomorrow's stars through player appearances. Aside from the occasional John Tavares, who likely has been hounded since the second week he strapped on skates, most of the junior players are more than willing to sign autographs.

Most times, especially if you're a speculative collector, you keep these items. There are times, though, when you work out a trade, just like Al did before the season with a like-minded collector:

Al got these items, pucks signed by Windsor Spitfires left winger Taylor Hall, center, in photo above, and defenseman Cam Fowler, right, both top prospects in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, as well as right winger Richard Panik, a Tampa Bay Lightning draftee, for ...

... these items signed by Oshawa Generals defenseman Calvin de Haan, top, taken 12th overall in 2009 by the New York Islanders, and center Boone Jenner, the Generals' first-round pick in 2009.

Pretty fair trade, don't you think?

Sunday morning homily X

Just in case you missed it, buried within a post on Hound Central 5.0 polls, I'm opening the blog to readers to share their favorite hounding stories. After four-plus seasons of writing about my hockey-hounding exploits, the well, shall we say, is starting to run dry.

What I'm looking for are stories from you. They can be about getting your first-ever autograph. They can be about meeting your favorite player. Funny moments work, too.

The goal for Hound Central 5.0 is to share the fun in collecting autographs. We're not dealers who have to get autographs to make an honest living. We're the ones who go out because we want to. And, I'm certain, that every one of you must have a memorable moment from hockey hounding.

Think of it as your platform. Tell me, in 100 words or so, your best hockey-hounding story. Though I'd rather have your stories sent to me through e-mail, feel free to leave them as a comment. Every so often, provided I get any at all, I'll publish them.

In a sense, folks, I've been sharing stories with you -- more than 1,800 of them since September 2005. I don't believe that asking you to share one is an unreasonable request.

Johnny (Tavares) come lately

On-the-scene reports out of Hockey Bay late Saturday relate the John Tavares, one of the most sought-after hockey autographs this season, signed for hounds and dealers before the Islanders agme against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It seems that Tavares missed the gametime team bus to the St. Pete Times Forum and, like the rookie that he is, wasn't quite sure what to do next. From what I hear, those fortunate enough to be at the right place at Tavares' wrong time scored an autograph.

I also heard that Tavares, again showing that he is a rookie, signed multiple team-signed photos for dealers, but limited hounds to a single autograph.

Me? I missed out. I was just south of Ocala, Fla., driving more than 500 miles back from South Carolina, about the time Tavares missed the bus.

5 Big Sigs

In all honesty, cards, not pucks, will rule the single day of hounding this week. Though the Washington Capitals will be in town, my work schedule and assorted other chores limit me to only the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday:

~ Sam Gagner on a London Knights puck and a 2008 Rookie Class card;
~ Sheldon Souray on a 2004-05 UD Hockey All-World Edition card;
~ Dustin Penner on a 2004-05 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks team set card;
~ Andrew Cogliano on a 2008 Rookie Class card; and
~ Ladislav Smid on a 2007 Rookie Class card