This post features 8 new NHL autographs, raising the grand total of unique NHL players signatures to 5,765 for 77% of everyone to ever play in the league.
Tom Edur
Tom Edur has an incredibly interesting story and I was thrilled to get this reply back. It was certainly a surprise seeing that I had sent to Mr. Edur in 2012 c/o his Estonia home. Defenceman Tom Edur spent 3 seasons in the WHA and 2 seasons in the NHL. He was emerging as one of the NHL's top offensive D-men, scoring 43 points in 58 games with the 1977/78 Pittsburgh Penguins when he left the game. At 23 year old and emerging as a star, he abruptly retired from hockey to become a Jehovah's Witness. He never looked back and in his letter back to me wrote that he never regretted the decision. He's been working as a missionary in Estonia since 1990. It would certainly never be my life choice, but I have a great deal of respect for someone like Edur to walk away from a huge contract and fame for something he truly believes in. I'm also thrilled to find his autograph, as he's certainly one of the more difficult NHL alumni to track down.
Kari Eloranta
From 1981 to 1987 Finnish defenceman Kari Eloranta scored 116 points in 267 career NHL games, mostly with the Calgary Flames. He represented Finland at the World Junior Championships, Men's World Championships, Canada Cup and Olympics. He helped his country win Silver at the 1988 Olympics.
Jason Simon
A tough customer, Jason Simon played 4 games in the NHL with the 1993/94 New York Islanders and 1 game with the 1996/97 Phoenix Coyotes. He accumulated 34 penalty minutes in 5 career NHL games. A player with aboriginal heritage, Simon is now a well known advocate in Native community development.
Shane MacEachern
Shane MacEachern played 1 game in the NHL with the 1987/88 St. Louis Blues. What makes this addition notable is that Mr. MacEachern lives just a few minute drive away from me in Charlottetown, PEI. Even though were a hospitable bunch here on the Island, I thought it might be crossing a line knocking on his door so I sent this to him via snail mail. Interesting fact, all of our Island mail gets sent to the distribution centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. So even though he only lives a hop and a skip away, this autograph put on some miles to get back to me. Seeing as how he didn't answer any of my questions or acknowledge the Island connection we have, I'm guessing I made the right decision not approaching him. Still very happy to add this signature. Now Maynard Schurman, an old Hartford Whaler, is the last living Prince Edward Island born NHL player I need to track down.
Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman
From 2007 to 2009 Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman played 4 games in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 1 goal and 2 points. As a junior, he helped the Quebec Remparts win the 2006 Memorial Cup. A couple years later he helped the AHL's Chicago Wolves win the 2008 Calder Cup.
Matt Hussey
The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Matt Hussey in the 9th round of the 1998 NHL draft. He was a high school player committed to the University of Wisconsin. After completing his education, Hussey started his pro hockey career in 2002. From 2003 to 2007 he played 21 games in the NHL between the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.
Warren Peters
From 2008 to 2012 Warren Peters scored 4 goals and 8 points in 96 NHL games, dressing with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild. Interesting fact about Warren Peters, he's one of just a few modern day NHL players who have slipped under the radar and was never featured on an NHL card.
Cam Paddock
Cam Paddock scored 2 goals and 3 points in 16 career NHL games with the 2008/09 St. Louis Blues. He was originally drafted by the Penguins in 2002 but spent a few years in the minors before making it to the NHL. As a junior, Paddock is notable for helping the Kelowna Rockets win the 2004 Memorial Cup.
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To finish the mail post, some new additions to my 'baseball but hockey' oddball collection. I must have close to 100 of these baseball/hockey signatures now.
Brian Looney
As noted on this baseball card, Brian Looney was indeed an exceptional hockey player. He has a hockeydb.com page and he did play a few NCAA Divsion I games with Boston College, playing with a number of future NHL players.
Dustin Molleken
I made these images extra large so you can read the backs, because it explains the link to hockey. For briefly playing in the WHL with the Regina Pats, Dustin does have a hockeydb.com page.
Stubby Clapp played high level junior hockey before becoming an MLB regular.
Ken MacKenzie was a star NCAA hockey player with Yale.
"A couple years later he helped the AHL's Chicago Wolves win the 2008 Calder Cup"
ReplyDeleteI thought that name sounded familiar.
I would love to get Tom Edgur's auto as I am of the same denomination. Can you help me in this regard? Also I would love a copy of that card or photo you made of him.
ReplyDelete