Mail: Redemptions, Trades & TTMs

I'll start out with another all to often shout-out to the devil of this hobby, Canada Post, for losing yet another package this month. When, again, can I expect another fee increase and service decrease?

78 new autographs to show in this post since my last mail call. They bring the grand total of unique signatures to 4,585 for 63% of everyone who's ever played in the NHL. Autographs in this post where obtained in four trades, a couple redemptions, a couple Ebay purchases and a bunch of TTM returns.

I've got a couple more trades in the works but my lack of a permanent living address might delay my next mail post. I also have a dozen new autographs recently purchased on COMC.com but will wait until I add a few more until I get them shipped (and for just $3!…oh how I love that website). I also have my eyes on a few vintage multi signed programs that I'm going to scoop up as soon as I get some money rolling in. Finding a part time job is amount the very first things I plan on doing when I get settled in Ottawa.

My apologies for those who have sent me an email lately. I believe I've gotten back to everyone. I've had a pretty hectic month of August. I've moved from Nova Scotia to PEI and have a final destination of Ottawa upcomming. I'll be in the Nation's capital for at least two years working towards a masters degree. It'll be my first time living outside of the Maritimes. Anyone know any good card shops in the area? I'm hoping to get to the Toronto Card Expo this fall.

Panini redemption

Bob Gainey

Well this story starts way back in 2011 when I redeemed a Bobby Rousseau /25 autograph. I emailed them twice with a request for a replacement but It took a phone call for them to actually do something. This is the only card in this post that doesn't count towards my total since I had a TTM Gainey autograph before. I don't usually post upgrades but its a rare occurrence that a redemption replacement turned out in my favour. Thanks Painini, even if it took four years. 

Upper Deck redemption

Anze Kopitar

I got this redemption in a trade just over a month ago so it was a really quick turn around for Upper Deck. This is my first autograph from the "Wire Photos" set. Very cool cards. I was shocked to see how much this card recently sold for. I might have to consider downgrading. Anze Kopitar is a three time NHL All-Star and two time Stanley Cup champion.

Trade #1

BIG trade with Jeff to get things rolling. 40 new autographs came my way. Its not everyday I can find someone with so many autographs that I need. Thanks Jeff!

Jordan Eberle

Jordan Eberle has already played five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. He was named to the 2012 NHL All-Star team. The value of Eberle autographs have been slowly falling to the point where you can now get one for under $10. 

Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri has scored 152 points in 250 career regular season NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Being a Leafs top prospect has kept his autograph selling relatively well since his NHL debut. 

David Krejci

David Krejci has very few certified autographs on the market for a player of his status. Boston stars also sell for good money and Krejci has been one of the Bruins best players over the last few years. He helped the Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup. In 2010 and 2014 he represented the Czech Republic at the Winter Olympics.

Carl Hagelin

Carl Hagelin recently signed with the Anaheim Ducks after four solid seasons with the New York Rangers. He won a Silver medal at the 2014 Olympics with Sweden. 

Philippe Dupuis

From 2008 to 2012 Phil Dupuis played 116 regular season games in the NHL. He was a member of the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nathan Robinson

Undrafted forward Nathan Robinson played 5 NHL games with the 2003/04 Detroit Red Wings and 2 NHL games with the 2005/06 Boston Bruins. 

B.J. Combeen

BJ Crombeen has played seven full seasons of NHL hockey. He's dressed with the Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes.

Deryk Engelland

Defenceman Deryk Engelland was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2000 but didn't make his NHL debut until 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's since played over 300 NHL games.

Luke Gazdic

Since 2012 Luke Gazdic has played over 100 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2007 and spent four years in the Dallas system before being claimed off waivers by the Oilers in 2013.

Kenny Agostino

Kenny Agostino was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins but found his way to Calgary as part of the Jarome Iginla trade in 2013. The Yale University star played 8 NHL games with the 2013/14 Calgary Flames.

Zach Trotman

Defenceman Zach Trotman has played 29 NHL games with the Boston Bruins since making his debut for the 2013/14 team. He was the last player selected in the 2010 NHL draft.

Brian Gibbons

An undrafted Boston College alumni, Brian Gibbons has played for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets since 2013.

Scott Parse

From 2009 to 2012 Scott Parse played 79 regular season+playoff games with the LA Kings.

Jamie Doornbosch

I've tried writing to Doornbosch twice and even corresponded with him via email to get an address but never heard back. He was an emergency signing by the Islanders and played just 1 NHL game with the team. That was the only game of pro hockey he has ever played. He's spent all of his career in the OHL as a junior and then Canadian University hockey.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

I think Niklas Hjalmarsson has a thing against signing for card companies, otherwise he should have a bunch of certified autographs on the market. The Swedish defenceman has an impressive resume. He's helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup 3 times; 2010, 2013 and 2015. He also helped Sweden win a Silver Medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Patrick Kaleta

Since 2006 Patrick Kaleta has played 348 regular season games with the Buffalo Sabres.

Paul Gaustad

Since making his NHL debut with the 2002/03 Buffalo Sabres, Paul Gaustad has played 10 full seasons in the NHL. He's spent the last three seasons in Nashville. 

Lukas Krajicek

Between 2001 and 2010 defenceman Lukas Krajicek played 300+ games in the NHL. He was a member of the Panthers, Canucks, Lightning and Flyers. He's won 3 World Championship medals with the Czech Republic and represented the country at the 2014 Olympics. 

Joe Corvo

From 2002 to 2014 offensive defenceman Joe Corvo played well over 700 games in the NHL. He represented USA at the 2003 and 2006 Ice Hockey World Championships. 

Bryan Young

From 2006 to 2008 defenceman Bryan Young played 17 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers. He's been playing in Asian since 2010 and recently got his South Korean citizenship.

Erik Reitz

Between 2005 and 2009 Erik Reitz played 50 regular season+playoff games in the NHL. The defenceman dressed for the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers.

Colin Fraser

Colin Fraser has made a nice NHL career of being a third/fourth line centre. He won the Stanley Cup in 2010 with the Blackhawks and again in 2012 with the LA Kings.

Matt Murley

From 2003 to 2008 Matt Murley played 62 NHL games between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes. He was an All-American and All-Star in college with RPI. 

Mike Bishai

Mike Bishai was an undrafted Western Michigan Alumni when he was signed by the Edmonton Oilers. He played 14 NHL games with the 2003/04 Oilers.

Bruno St. Jacques

Defenceman Bruno St. Jacques played 67 games in the NHL between 2001 and 2006. He dressed with the Flyers, Hurricanes and Mighty Ducks.

Jerred Smithson

From 2002 to 2014 Jerred Smithson played over 600 games in the NHL. He was a member of the Kings, Predators, Panthers, Oilers and Leafs.

Vernon Fiddler

Since 2002 Vernon Fiddler has played 700+ games in the NHL. Few modern day NHLers have played that much without getting a certified autograph but Fiddler goes under the radar being a checking line centre. He's played for the Predators, Coyotes and Stars.

Ales Kotalik

Ales Kotalik played 8 solid seasons of NHL hockey. He played well over 500 NHL games between the Sabres, Oilers, Rangers and Flames.

Layne Ulmer

Originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 1999, Layne Ulmer played 1 game in the NHL with the 2003/04 New York Rangers.

Tim Jackman

Tim Jackman has played nearly 500 games in the NHL but has yet to get a certified autograph. He's been a member of the Blue Jackets, Coyotes, Kings, Islanders, Flames and Ducks.

Carl Corazzini

A Boston University alumni and captain, the undrafted free agent was signed by the local Bruins when his college career was over. Carl Corazzini played 19 NHL games between 2003 and 2007. He dressed with the Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.

Benoit Dusablon

There are a lot of current and former NHLers who have appeared in these Quebec Pee Wee tournament sets. I believe this is the first to go into my autograph collection. Benoit Dusablon was never drafted but went on to play 3 NHL games with the 2003/04 New York Rangers.

Jed Ortmeyer
Between 2003 and 2012 Jed Ortmeyer played 345 regular season games in the NHL. The undrafted Omaha native played for the Rangers, Predators, Sharks and Wild.

Tuomas Pihlman

From 2003 to 2007 Finnish forward Tuomas Pihlman played 15 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils.

Peter Harrold

Peter Harrold was an undrafted Boston College alumni when he signed with the LA Kings. The defenceman has played in nearly 300 regular season NHL games between the LA Kings and New Jersey Devils. He helped New Jersey reach the 2012 Stanley Cup finals.

Corey Potter

From 2008 to 2015 defeceman Corey Potter has played 129 regular season games in the NHL. He's dressed with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames.

Jonathan Hedstrom

From 2002 to 2006 Jonathan Hedstrom played 83 regular season games with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. He was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1997. Hedstrom won a Silver Medal at the 2004 World Ice Hockey Championships with Sweden.

Greg Jacina

From 2005 to 2007 forward Greg Jacina played 14 NHL games with the Florida Panthers.

Steve McLaren

Enforcer Steve McLaren recorded 25 penalty minutes in his 6 career NHL games with the 2003/04 St. Louis Blues.

Chris Kelleher

Chris Kelleher was drafted in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent four seasons at Boston University before making his pro hockey debut in 1998. The defenceman only played 1 game in the NHL, with the 2001/02 Boston Bruins.

Freebie!

A fellow collector was nice enough to just send me this autograph when he noticed I needed it! Many thanks Kingsley!

Brian Wiseman

A University of Michigan alumni, Brian Wiseman was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in 1991. He played 3 career games in the NHL with the 1996/97 Toronto Maple Leafs.

Trade #2

Thanks Nathan!

Kent Carlson

From 1983 to 1989 Kent Carlson played 100+ games in the NHL. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and very briefly the Washington Capitals.

Dan Geoffrion
Dan Geoffrion was drafted 8th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1978. He played a season in the WHA with the Quebec Nordiques before making his NHL debut for the 1979/80 Habs. He played a season for the Canadiens and a season for the Winnipeg Jets. He's a member of one of hockey's most famous families. His father is NHL legend Boom Boom Geoffrion, his grandfather is legend Howie Morenz and his son, Blake, also played in the NHL.

Don Maloney

Currently General Manager of the Arizona Coyotes, Don Maloney had a lengthy NHL career. He played well over 800 regular season+playoff games between the New York Rangers and Islanders. His brother, Dave, was also a long time NHLer.

David Bruce

Between 1985 and 1994 David Bruce played 200+ games in the NHL. He was a member of the Canucks, Blues and Sharks.

Jon Sim

From 1998 to 2011 Jon Sim nearly 500 games in the NHL. The journeyman defenceman was a member of the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and New York Islanders. He won the Stanley Cup as a rookie with the 1999 Dallas Stars, playing 4 playoff games during the Cup run.

Brandon Reid

From 2002 to 2007 Brandon Reid played 13 regular season and 10 playoff games with the Vancouver Canucks. 

Eric Houde

Between 1996 and 1999 Eric Houde played 30 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens.

Trade #3

Trade with Marcel

This trade originated with an Ulf Sterner autograph but I actually got one back via TTM a couple days after completing it. Not to worry, three other great new NHL autographs were also part of the trade.

Marc Fortier

Between 1987 and 1993 Marc Fortier scored 42 goals and 102 points in 212 career NHL games. Most of that time was spent with the Quebec Nordiques but Fortier also saw time with the LA Kings and Ottawa Senators. Since 2011 he's been General Manager of the QMJHL's Chicoutimi Sagueneens. I tried writing to him a couple times there but never heard back. 

Daniel Marois

Daniel Marois had a career year with the 1989/90 Toronto Maple Leafs when he scored 39 goals and 76 points in just 68 games. Between 1988 and 1996 Marois played 350 regular season games in the NHL, dressing with the Leafs, Islanders, Bruins and Stars.

Adrien Plavsic

From 1989 to 1997 Adrien Plavsic played 200+ NHL games. The defenceman played for the Blues, Canucks, Lightning and Mighty Ducks. In 1992 he helped Team Canada win a Silver medal at the Winter Olympics. 

Trade #4

Trade with Rob

Leon Draisaitl

German forward Leon Draisaitl was drafted 3rd overall by the Oilers in 2014. He's already played half a season in the NHL. Had I known how thick this card is I likely wouldn't have traded for it. The thing is like a brick and thus poses some difficulty to store in its rightful year-of-debut binder. That being said, I'm happy to add an autograph of such a promising young player. I'll happily trade it for a thinner Draisaitl certified autograph. 

Alexander Wennberg

Alexander Wennberg was drafted 14th overall by Columbus in 2013. He won a Silver medal at the 2013 and 2014 World Junior Championships with Sweden. He played 68 games as an NHL rookie with the 2014/15 Blue Jackets.

Mickey Redmond
Mickey Redmond is best known for being on the 1972 Team Canada Summit Series team and for scoring 50+ goals in a season twice with the Detroit Red Wings. He has a couple rare certified autographs on the market and I plan to add one in the future. For now this do just fine for the collection.

Pierre Mondou
Like Redmond, Pierre Mondou also has a rare certified autograph I would like to add at some point in the future. Mondou played well over 500 career NHL games, all with the Montreal Canadiens. He won the Stanley Cup in 1978 and 1979.

EBAY

Two small Ebay purchases also came in the mail this month.

Justin Abdelkader
Justin Abdelkader has played over 450 regular season+playoff games with the Detroit Red Wings since 2007. In 2008 he was practising with the Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup. Abdelkader got a day with the Cup but didn't get his name engraved on the trophy.

Jordie Benn

I keep a close eye on all new autograph subsets from hockey card products for signatures like this. For the most part, if a player doesn't sign in his rookie season then he's very unlikely to ever get a certified signature. Jordie Benn is an exception to that and earned his first certified autograph in his O-Pee-Chee set. Jordie was an undrafted defenceman who is one of few BCHL players to graduate into the NHL. He's played just under 200 NHL games with the Stars and his more famous brother, Jamie.

Around the house…

Marty Howe
This is the only autograph of the post that didn't come in the mail this past August. For the longest time I had this Howe/Howe autographed picture hanging on my wall. Until now I hadn't counted it towards my autograph total. I had a Gordie autograph, but no individual Marty autograph. I don't like to add dual signatures to the collection but this will be the exception for now. Marty Howe had more success in the WHA than he did the NHL. He still managed to play over 200 regular season+playoff games in the NHL between the Hartford Whalers and Boston Bruins.

Through The Mail (TTM) Autographs

Dick Lamby

I had included a custom index in Dick Lamby's TTM request. He signed it but did so on top of the picture, not the faded logo. I decided to keep this card instead, which is an extra he had thrown in. From 1978 to 1981 Lamby played 22 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues. He represented USA at the 1976 Winter Olympics.

Bobby Allen

Defeceman Bobby Allen played 1 game with the 2002/03 Edmonton Oilers and then 50 more NHL games with the Boston Bruins from 2006 to 2008.

Stan Drulia

Originally drafted by the Penguins in 1986, Stan Drulia made his NHL debut with the 1992/93 Tampa Bay Lightning. He played 24 games for the Lightning that season and then didn't return to the NHL again until 1999 for a second stint in Tampa Bay. From 1999 to 2001 he played another 102 games with the Lignting. 

Shawn Cronin

Between 1988 and 1995 defeceman Shawn Cronin played 300+ regular season and playoff games in the NHL. The undrafted University of Illinois-Chicago alumni dressed in the NHL with the Capitals, Jets, Flyers and Sharks.

Corey Millen

Corey Millen represented USA at the 1988 Winter Olympics. From 1989 to 1997 he played well over 300 games in the NHL. He was a member of Gretzky's 1993 LA Kings that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Michel Petit

From 1982 to 1998 Michel Petit played well over 800 career NHL games for a then record 10 different NHL teams.

Daniel Dore

Between 1989 and 1991 Daniel Dore played 17 NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques. The forward was originally drafted 5th overall by the Nords in 1988.

Frank Simonetti

From 1984 to 1988 Frank Simonetti played 127 regular season+playoff games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins.

Gord Kruppke

From 1990 to 1994 Gord Kruppke played 23 career NHL games, all with the Detroit Red Wings.

Glenn Hicks

Glenn Hicks made his professional hockey debut with the 1978/79 WHA's Winnipeg Jets. After the leagues merged, Hicks was transferred back to the NHL team that had drafted him 28th overall in 1978, the Detroit Red Wings. Over the next two seasons Hicks played 100+ NHL games with the Red Wings.

Steve Coates

An undrafted Michigan Tech alumni, Steve Coates played 5 NHL games with the 1976/77 Detroit Red Wings. Since hanging up his skates he's spent many years as a colour commentator with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Mike Meeker

Mike Meeker played 4 NHL games with the 1978/79 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Steve Gatzos

From 1981 to 1985 Steve Gatzos played 90 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Doug Smith

Doug Smith was drafted 2nd overall by the LA Kings in 1981. From then until 1990 he played 500+ games in the NHL. At 29 he suffered a career ending neck injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He regained the ability to walk and made a career for himself outside of hockey.

Gord McTavish

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Gord McTavish 15th overall in 1974 but he was never able to crack their powerhouse roster. He went on to play 1 NHL game with the 1978/79 St. Louis Blues and 10 NHL games with the 1979/80 Winnipeg Jets. He scored a goal and four points in his short stint with the Jets.

Bruce McIntosh

Bruce McIntosh won an Olympic Silver medal with the 1972 Team USA squad. He went on to play 2 NHL games with the 1972/73 Minnesota North Stars.

Andre Hidi

A rare case of a player playing Canadian University before making the NHL, Andre Hidi spent four full seasons at the University of Toronto before signing with the Washington Capitals. He played 7 career NHL games for the Caps between 1984 and 1985.

Greg Hickey

Greg Hickey spent a decade playing pro hockey but only managed to crack an NHL roster once. He played 1 NHL game with the 1977/78 New York Rangers.

Larry Skinner
Between 1976 and 1980 Larry Skinner played 47 NHL regular season games and a couple playoff games with the the Colorado Rockies. He managed to score a respectable 10 goals and 22 points during his short NHL career.


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As usual, I'll end the post with some hockey related autographs that fall outside of the NHL player collection.

Jay Feaster

Another one of my sub collections are current and former NHL General Managers who never played in the NHL. Jay Feaster has served as an NHL General Manager with both the Tampa Bay Lighting and Calgary Flames. He won the Stanley Cup in 2004 as GM of the Lightning.

Chris Imes

This one goes into my growing collection of hockey Olympians who never played in the NHL. A University of Maine alumni, Chis Imes represented the United States at the 1994 Olympic games. He was drafted by the Florida Panthers in 1993 but never cracked an NHL roster. Imes is the only member of the 1994 USA Olympic team not to play in the NHL.

Jim Ralph

I recently posted my backups only collection, Jim Ralph goes into that collection. The goalie dressed in at least one NHL game with the 1982/83 Chicago Blackhawks. 

Danny Williams

My two major interests are hockey and politics. Danny Williams has had is hand in both worlds. He served as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador from 2003 to 2010. He's currently President and Chief Executive of the AHL's St. John's IceCaps. This goes into my binder of completely random hockey related autographs.