Added some great autographs to finish the year. With six new signatures the grand total of unique NHL player signatures in my collection now stands at 7,826 for 94% of everyone to ever play in the NHL.
Butch Paul (d. 1966)
I was thrilled to find a Butch Paul autograph for a steal of a deal. Classic Auctions recently had a team signed '64-65 Red Wings program listed but they failed to notice the Paul autograph on the program. Lucky for me, I take a very close look at all the team signed stuff. The autograph didn't scan well but you can click to enlarge and its very clear in hand. Butch Paul played 3 games in the NHL with the 1964-65 Detroit Red Wings. He died tragically young in a 1966 car accident, he was only 22. He was the last autograph I needed to complete the 1964-65 year of debuts.
Dan Olesevich (d. 1983)
A long time Detroit Red Wings trainer and practice goalie, Dan Olesevich is most notable for appearing in one NHL game as an emergency goalie with the 1961-62 New York Rangers. He signed this "Ollie" Olesevich, his nicknamed while he played in the 50s. Like the Paul autograph, it is clear to see in person and if you click to enlarge, you can see it much better. He was the very last autograph I needed to complete the 1961-62 year of debuts.
Bert Gardiner (d. 2001)
Goalie Bert Gardiner played in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. From 1935 to 1944 he played 144 regular season NHL games. Gardiner lived a long life after hockey but moved to California, away from the game and his autograph proved rather difficult to find.
Henry "Hank" Lehvonen (d. 2022)
Defenseman Hank Lehvonen played 4 games in the NHL with the 1974-75 Kansas City Scouts. He was one of the last autographs I needed from the '74-75 year of debuts.
Tom Polanic (d. 2019)
From 1969 to 1971 Tom Polanic played 19 games in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars. Polanic was the very last guy I needed for the 1969-70 year of debuts.
Quinton Byfield
The LA Kings drafted Quinton Byfield 2nd overall in 2022. He's already had two 20 goal season in the NHL. Byfield was of the last autographs I needed from the 2020-21 Year of Debuts.
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The last two autographs go in my collection of NHL backup autographs.
Ron Marlow
Goalie Ron Marlow dressed in 3 NHL games as a backup goalie with the 1973-74 New York Islanders.
Mike Parson
Mike Parson dressed in 1 NHL game as a backup goalie with the 1992-93 Boston Bruins.
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