Arts, Crafts & 61 New Autographs

Over the past few months I have temporarily taken a break from sending to players in order to finish organizing the collection. I had made a small pile of plain autographs awaiting to be doctored into something more interesting. I don't put plain signed index cards into the collection because I like having a picture of the player to accompany the signature. For the past month or so, I've been making custom index cards with the signatures and slowly adding them to the appropriate 'a year in autographs' post. The pile is gone and I have a bunch of new graphs to show. With these 61 new autographs added the grand total now stands at 4,134 unique NHL signatures.

When making the custom cards I try and use a picture of the player wearing the jersey # he might have signed. If he used a junior number then I may opt to use the NHL pic anyway. For guys with no numbers on the signature, I just go for either the best picture I can find or the team the player made his debut with. 

I picked up these autographs because they were either cheap, have tried multiple times writing the player or the player has passed away. Although I would rater write to the player, If I can get a signed index I know to be real that saves on time and money then I have a hard time saying no. With the latest hike by Canada Post I can now only afford to send to a select number of players each month. 

Most are the customs are the size of a standard index card. A few had to made larger because the autograph was too big. The first few autographs are from a team signed sheet of the 1999/2000 AHL Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. The next few are from a Chicago Blackhawks old timers game program signed by numerous players. After that most are from blank index cards, scrapbook/newspaper clippings or other boring, pictureless autographs.

I'm currently working on a couple more mail posts, one of TTM autographs and the other new certified autographs I picked up, most from the recent Check Out My Cards sale. 

B.J. Young

This signature is the reason I purchased a team signed 99/00 Cincinnati Ducks page. B.J. Young died tragically young in a 2005 automobile accident so his autograph is difficult to find. He played 1 NHL game with the 1999/2000 Detroit Red Wings. 

Darryl Laplante

Between 1997 and 2000 Darryl Laplante played 35 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded 6 assists and 10 penalty minutes. The Wild claimed Laplante from the Red Wings in the 2000 expansion draft but he never dressed for Minnesota. 

Dwayne Zinger

Undrafted defenseman Dwayne Zinger played 7 games with the 2003/2004 Washington Capitals as a 28 year old rookie. He recorded 1 assist and 9 penalty minutes in the NHL.

Jeff Mitchell

Originally drafted by the LA Kings in 1993, Jeff Mitchell played 7 NHL games with the 1997/1998 Dallas Stars. I had just sent a letter to Mr. Mitchell so If I ever get that one back then I'll replace this one in the collection. 

Bob Wren

High scoring centerman Bob Wren played five career NHL games. He saw three with the 97/98 Ducks, one with the 00/01 Ducks and one with the 01/02 Maple Leafs. The 40 year old is still playing pro in Germany. 

Joel Kwiatkowski

Between 2000 and 2008 Joel Kwiatkowski played nearly 300 games in the NHL. He spent time with the Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers. He's currently playing pro in Switzerland. 

Maxim Balmochnykh

Russian forward Maxim Balmochnyhk played 6 games with the 1999/2000 Anaheim Mighty Ducks and recorded 1 assist. This is an early Russian version of his signature and I might pick up a more recent autograph if I ever get the chance. 

Keith Magnuson

The next few autographs come from an early 1990s Blackhawks alumni game program. I had bought it years ago for very cheap and have finally got around to cutting it up and placing the autographs in their appropriate binders. Of a dozen signatures on the program, most I already had and will join my large pile of extra autographs. Keith Magnuson does have a couple of rare and expensive certified autographs and will remain on my wantlist in that category but this signature will do nicely for now. He spent his entire career with the Blackhawks, playing in Chicago from 1969 to 1989. In 2003 he died in a car accident. 

Reg Fleming

Between 1959 and 1971 Reg Fleming played 799 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. He was a well known tough guy around the league and dressed with the Habs, Hawks, Bruins, Rangers, Flyers and Sabres. He helped the Chicago Blackhawks claim the 1961 Stanley Cup championship. Fleming passed away in 2009.

Pit Martin

From 1961 to 1979 Pit Martin played well over 1,000 games in the NHL. From 1975 to 1977 he was captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Martin was a four time NHL All-Star and won the 1970 Bill Masterton Trophy. In 2008 he died in a snowmobile accident.

Ivan Boldirev

From 1970 to 1985 Ivan Boldirev played well over 1,000 games in the NHL. He scored 20+ goals a season nine times over his career and played in the 1978 NHL All-Star game. He spent time with the Bruins, Golden Seals, Blackhawks, Flames, Canucks and Red Wings. 

Anton Klementyev

Anton Klementyev played 1 NHL game with the 2009/2010 New York Islanders. The defenseman's only game with the Islanders came when he was recalled on emergency basis. He's an interesting case because after being waived by New York in 2012 he basically fell off the hockey radar and went on to play low level pro in Russia. 

Boyd Kane

From 2003 to 2010 Boyd Kane played 31 games in the NHL between the Flyers and Capitals. He was originally drafted by the Penguins in 1996. 

Oleg Mikulchik

Russian defenseman Oleg Mikulchik made his NHL debut with the 1993/1994 Winnipeg Jets as a 29 year old rookie. The defensemen had spent the first part of his career playing in the Soviet Union. He played 37 career NHL games, last seeing time with the 1995/1996 Ducks.

Mike Kennedy

Between 1994 and 1999 Mike Kennedy played 145 regular season games in the NHL. He scored 16 goals and 52 points while dressing with the Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders.

Yan Kaminsky

From 1993 to 1995 Russian forward Yan Kaminsky played 28 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. He played 1 game with the Winnipeg Jets and the rest with the New York Islanders. 

Chris Luongo

From 1990 to 1996 Chris Luongo played 218 games in the NHL. The defenseman was a member of the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.

Todd Flichel

Between 1987 and 1990 Todd Flichel played 6 NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets and recorded 1 assist. 

Darcy Martini

A Michigan Tech alumni, Darcy Martini played 2 NHL games with the 1993/1994 Edmonton Oilers. He was a 1993 AHL Calder Cup champion with the Cape Berton Oilers.

Scott Morrow

Originally drafted by the Hartford Whalers in 1988, Scott Morrow played 4 NHL games with the 1994/1995 Calgary Flames. 

Shawn McCosh

Forward Shawn McCosh played 4 NHL games with the 1991/1992 Los Angeles Kings and 5 games with the 1994/1995 New York Rangers. 

Derek Mayer

Originally drafted by the Red Wings in 1986, Derek Mayer spend time in the IHL and AHL before having a huge 1993/1994 season. That year he dressed with Team Canada at the '94 Olympics and later joined the Senators to play 17 NHL games. He scored 2 goals and 4 points with the Sens. 

Rod Buskas

From 1982 to 1993 Rod Buskas played well over 500 games in the NHL. He spent the majority of that time with the Pittsburgh Penguins but also dressed with the Canucks, Kings and Blackhawks.

Mike Casselman

Mike Casselman played 3 NHL games with the 1995/1996 Florida Panthers. Surprisingly, I wasn't able to find a single picture of him with the Panthers. 

Yvon Corriveau

Yvon Corriveau played over 300 regular season+playoff games in the NHL from 1986 to 1994. He played with the Washington Capitals, Hartford Whalers and San Jose Sharks. 

Ken Leiter

A Michigan State University alumni, Ken Leiter appeared in over 150 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. He spent most of his career with the New York Islanders from 1984-1988 but ended his career with the 1989/90 Minnesota North Stars. 

Russ Anderson

Defenseman Russ Anderson played over 500 games in the NHL between 1976 and 1985. He saw time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers and Los Angeles Kings. 

Blair Chapman

From 1976 to 1983 Blair Chapman played well over 400 games in the NHL between the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. The high scoring junior player was selected 2nd overall by the Pens in the 1976 NHL draft. He was also selected 1st overall by Edmonton Oilers in the 1976 WHA draft but opted not to join the rebel league. 

Luc Dufour

From 1982 to 1985 Luc Dufour played 167 regular games in the NHL, scoring 23 goal and 44 points. He played with the Boston Bruins, Quebec Nordiques and St. Louis Blues. 

Perry Miller

Perry Miller spent 3 seasons in the WHA before making the jump to the NHL in 1977. Between 1977 and 1981 the defenseman played over 200 games with the Detroit Red Wings. 

Lorne Henning

I have a couple TTM requests sent to Lorne Henning but still no reply so this will do nicely for now. He spent his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders, playing over 600 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup four times in Long Island, two as a player and two as a coach. Henning has coached for the Islanders, Stars, Blackhawks and Mighty Ducks. Since 2009 he as been assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. 

Tomas Jonsson

Tomas Jonsson is one of only 25 hockey players who are members of the Triple Gold Club, winning an Olympic gold, World Championship gold and a Stanley Cup. He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Islanders and captured an Olympic gold with Sweden in 1994. 

Paul Jerrard

Defenseman Paul Jerrard played 5 NHL games with the 1988/1989 Minnesota North Stars. In 2002/2003 he served as an NHL assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. From 2011-2013 he returned to the big leagues as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars.

Scott Gruhl

Between 1981 and 1988 Scott Gruhl played 20 games in the NHL, scoring 3 goals and 6 points. He dressed with the LA Kings from 1981-83 and had a brief stint with the 1987/88 Penguins. Although his NHL career was short, in 1996 he retired as one of the top scorers in pro hockey history. In 871 regular season IHL games he scored 532 goals and 1,144 points.

Jack Brownschidle

Between 1977 and 1986 Jack Brownschidle played nearly 500 regular season games in the NHL. The defenseman spent most of that time in St. Louis but finished his career with the Hartford Whalers.

Blair Stewart

Between 1973 and 1980 Blair Stewart played 229 games in the NHL. He played with the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques. 

Jamie Masters

From 1975 to 1979 defenseman Jamie Masters played 35 regular season+playoff games with the St. Louis Blues. He recorded 1 goal and 14 points. 

Gerry McDonald

Gerry McDonald was an undrafted defenseman who spent time playing pro in Germany before making his NHL debut. He played 8 games with the Hartford Whalers between 1981 and 1984. His son, Colin, has also played in the NHL. 

Alex McKendry
Alex McKendry is most notable for scoring 2 goals and 4 points in 6 playoff games with the 1980 New York Islanders. That stint with the champions earned him his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Beyond those playoffs he played 46 NHL games from 1977-1981 with the Islanders and Flames. 

Mike O'Connell

I met Mike O'Connell when I was a youngster and had him sign a hat and jersey, at the time he was General Manager of the Boston Bruins. Since I need a flat copy to go into my binders, I can finally cross his name of my wantlist with this one. Between 1977 and 1990 Mike O'Connell played 860 regular season games in the NHL. The defenseman played in the 1984 NHL All-Star game. From 2000-2006 he was GM of the Boston Bruins. His father, Tommy, was an NFL quarterback. 

Rick McCann

Between 1967 and 1975 Rick McCann played 43 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings. 

Renald 'Rene' LeClerc

Between 1968 and 1971 Rene LeClerc played 87 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 10 goals and 21 points. He's one of few players to play in the WHA the whole time it was operational. From 1972 to 1979 he played nearly 500 regular season+playoff games in the rebel league. He played with the Quebec Nordiques and Indianapolis Racers. 

Nick Harbaruk

Between 1969 and 1974 Nick Harbaruk played nearly 400 games in the NHL. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. He spent 3 seasons in the WHA with the Indianapolis Racers before retiring. He passed away in 2011 from cancer.

Rick Blight

Between 1975 and 1983 Rick Blight played 326 regular season games in the NHL. He played all but 2 of those games in Vancouver, ending his NHL career with a brief stint in Los Angeles. Blight scored 96 goals and 221 points with the Canucks. He ended his life early in 2005, committing suicide at the age of 49. 

John Baby

John Baby played a total of 26 NHL games, 24 with the 1977/78 Cleveland Barons and 2 with the 1978/79 Minnesota North Stars. The defenseman recorded 2 goals and 10 points in his short NHL career.

Fred Ahern

Between 1974 and 1978 Fred Ahern played nearly 150 games in the NHL. He played with the California Seals, Cleveland Barons and Colorado Rockies. He also dressed with Team USA at the 1976 Canada Cup.

Randy Wyrozub

Between 1970 and 1975 Randy Wyrozub played 100 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres. He recorded 8 goals and 18 points. Wyrozub later spent a season in the WHA with the Indianapolis Racers. 

Neil Komadoski

From 1972 to 1980 Neil Komadoski played over 500 games in the NHL. The defenseman played with the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. 

Mike Christie 

Although Mike Christie was raised in Canada, he became the first player born in Texas to play in the NHL. From 1974 to 1981 Christie played over 400 NHL games. He dressed for the Seals, Barons, Rockies and Canucks. He spent time as an NHL captain with the Colorado Rockies. 

Ed Kea 

Between 1973 and 1983 Ed Kea played over 600 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. The defenseman was a member of the Atlanta Flames and St. Louis Blues. He was born in the Netherlands but raised in Canada. He died in 1999 from a drowning accident. 

Terry Holbrook

From 1972 to 1974 Terry Holbrook played 43 games in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars. From 1974 to 1976 he was a member of the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders. 

Ron Schock

From 1963 to 1978 Ron Schock played 909 regular season and 55 playoff games in the NHL. He dressed with the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. From 1973 to 1977 he served as captain of the Penguins. 

Sandy Fitzpatrick

Alex 'Sandy' Fitzpatrick played 4 games with the 1964/65 New York Rangers and 18 games with the 1967/68 Minnesota North Stars. 

Andrew McKim

Andrew McKim played 38 games in the NHL between 1992 and 1995. He was a member of the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. 

Rick Wilson

From 1973 to 1977 Rick Wilson played 239 regular season games in the NHL. He was a member of the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. Since 1988 he has sat behind the bench as an assistant or head coach in the NHL with the Islanders, Kings, Stars, Lightning and Wild.

Cleon Daskalakis

Between 1984 and 1987 Cleon Daskalakis appeared in 12 NHL games with the Boston Bruins.

Chad Erickson

Chad Erickson appeared in net twice with the 1991/1992 New Jersey Devils. 

Dale Dunbar

An undrafted Boston University graduate, Dale Dunbar played two career NHL games. One came with the 1985/86 Vancouver Canucks and the other was with the 1988/89 Boston Bruins. 

Paul Curtis

Between 1969 and 1973 defenseman Paul Curtis played nearly 200 NHL games. He dressed with the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. He later spent a season in the WHA with the Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades. 

Jim Vesey

Between 1988 and 1992 Jim Vesey played 15 games in the NHL, scoring 1 goal and 3 points. He was a member of the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins. His son, Jimmy, was recently drafted by the Nashville Predators. 

Larry DePalma

Between 1985 and 1994 Larry DePalma played 148 regular season games in the NHL. He spent time with the Stars, Sharks and Penguins. 

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On top of the 61 NHL autographs I also added 4 'other' hockey signatures to my collection.

Murray Heatley

Dany Heatley's father, Murray, spent three seasons in the WHA. Between 1973 and 1976 he played with the Minnesota Fighting Saints and Indianapolis Racers. He scored 48 goals and 102 points in 156 WHA games. Dany Heatley was born in Germany because in 1981 that is where Murray was playing pro hockey. 

Mike Ford

Between 1974 and 1977 Mike Ford played well over 200 games in the WHA. He played with the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Cowboys. He won the league championship with Bobby Hull's 1976 Jets. 

Jim Clark

Jim Clark has possibly the shortest NHL General Manager career in the history of the league. He temporarily took the job when Doug McLean was relieved of his duties. Clark is a native of my hometown province, Prince Edward Island, and I was able to get this signature in person years ago. It was surprisingly hard to find a Columbus era picture of him and I had to settle for this grainy black and white. 

Don MacAdam
Like Jim Clark, Don MacAdam is a Prince Edward Island native who I was also able to meet in person years ago. I had him sign a generic Red Wings logo card. From 1986 to 1989 he was an assistant coach with the Red wings. Since I have been organizing my NHL head and assistant coaches I decided to finally make the autograph into my generic index design. Stay tuned for a couple of collection posts of my NHL head and assistant coaches.