Month of Mail - September 2020

A grand total of 58 new NHL player autographs were added during the month of September, 2020. The grand total now stands at 6,758 unique NHL player signatures for 87% of everyone to ever play in the league. The month marked a collection milestone that put my wantlist to under 1,000 for the first time ever (6,758 / 7,746). A big thanks to everyone who helped me out this month! 

As usual, this post will be archived with all my other mail posts, dating back to 2011. 

                         Tim Horton (d. 1974)

Tim Horton is a legendary Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman who founded the popular Canadian donut chain. He died young in a car crash while he was still playing in the NHL. I used a picture of him here with the Sabres because that's when the autograph dates to. 

                     Bryan Hextall (d. 1984)

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Bryan Hextall Sr. was a star with the New York Rangers during the 1940s. He led the team to a Stanley Cup in 1940. Two of his sons played in the NHL and he's the great grandfather of former goalie Ron Hextall.

                      Frank Boucher (d. 1977)

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Frank Boucher played well over 500 games in the NHL in a career that saw him play during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Boucher was a star player and won the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933. He later became coach and General Manager of the New York Rangers. 

                      Paul Thompson (d. 1991)

Fro 1926 to 1939 Paul Thompson was a full time NHLer, playing for the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. He won the Stanley Cup in 1928, 1934 and 1938. His brother was legendary NHL goalie Tiny Thompson.

                  Cliff "Fido" Purpur (d. 2001)

During the 1930s and 1940s Fido Purpur played 144 games in the NHL between the St. Louis Eagles, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. He's notable for being the first person from North Dakota to play in the NHL.

                    Frank McCool (d. 1973)

Frank McCool won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year with the 1944/45 Toronto Maple Leafs. He also led the Leafs to the Stanley Cup that season. Unfortunately, McCool was forced to retire the following season due to medical problems after less than two seasons in the league.

                        Bill Thoms (d. 1964)

From 1932 to 1945 Bill Thoms played well over 500 games in the NHL, dressing with the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks and Bruins. He played in the 1934 NHL All-Star game. 

                      Harold Starr (d. 1981)

From 1929 to 1936 Harold Starr played over 200 games in the NHL. He was a member of the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Maroons, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.

                    Tom McCarthy (d. 1992)

From 1956 to 1961 this particular Tom McCarthy (not to be confused with the living former NHLer of the same name) played 60 NHL games between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. 

                            Red Conn (d. 1964)

Red Conn played 2 seasons in the NHL during the 1930s with the New York Americans. The defenseman contributed 37 points in 96 career NHL games.

                         Merv Kuryluk

Merv Kuryluk played 2 games in the NHL, both in the playoffs, with the 1961/62 Chicago Blackhawks.

                         Dan Seguin

During the early 1970s Dan Seguin played 37 games in the NHL between the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota North Stars.

                       Clayton Pachal

From 1976 to 1979 Clayton Pachal played 35 NHL games between the Boston Bruins and Colorado Rockies.

                          Dave Salvian

Dave Salvian recorded 1 assist in his only game in the NHL. That was during the 1977 NHL playoffs with the New York Islanders.

                          John Rogers

From 1973 to 1975 John Rogers scored 6 points in 14 NHL games with the Minnesota North Stars. He later played a season in the WHA with the Edmonton Oilers. 

                          Lorne Carr (d. 2007)

From 1933 to 1946 Lorne Carr scored 204 goals and 426 points in 580 career regular season games in the NHL between the New York Rangers, New York Americans and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup in 1942 and 1946 with Toronto.

                          Markus Mattsson

From 1979 to 1984 Markus Mattsson tended net in 92 NHL games, dressing for the Jets, North Stars and Kings. Prior to that he had spent a couple seasons in the WHA playing for the Jets and Nordiques.

                             Bill Oleschuk

From 1975 to 1980 Bill Oleschuk played 55 NHL games. He made his NHL debut with the Kansas City Scouts but spent most of his time in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies.

                       Claude St. Sauveur

Claude St. Sauveur spent most of his career in the WHA but did spend one productive season in the NHL with the 1975/76 Atlanta Flames. He scored 24 goals and 48 points in 79 NHL games that season, his only year in the NHL.

                             Nick Ricci

During the early 1980s Nick Ricci tended net in 19 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

                          Bob Rivard

Bobby Rivard scored 4 goals and 17 points in 27 career NHL games with the 1967/68 Pittsburgh Penguins.

                       Roger Wilson

Defenseman Roger Wilson recorded 2 assists in 7 career NHL games with the 1974/75 Chicago Blackhawks.

                       Vic Mercredi

Vic Mercredi played 2 games in the NHL with the 1974/75 Atlanta Flames and 3 games in the WHA with the 1975/76 Calgary Cowboys.

                           Bob Sykes

Bob Sykes played 2 games in the NHL with the 1974/75 Toronto Maple Leafs.

                        Bob Richer

Bob Richer played 3 games in the NHL with the 1972/73 Buffalo Sabres.

                       Yves Preston

From 1978 to 1981 Yves Preston scored 7 goals and 10 points in 28 career NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

                             Tony White

From 1974 to 1980 Tony White scored 37 goals and 65 points in 164 career NHL games between the Washington Capitals and Minnesota North Stars.

                              Sid Veysey

Sid Veysey played 1 game in the NHL with the 1977/78 Vancouver Canucks.

                               Paul Marshall

From 1979 to 1989 Paul Marshall played 95 NHL games between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hartford Whalers.

                                 Ken Murray

Defenseman Ken Murray played over 100 NHL games during the 1970s. He was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and Kanas City Scouts.

                               Brian Murphy

Brian Murphy played 1 game in the NHL with the 1974/75 Detroit Red Wings.

                     Bob Frampton (d. 2001)

Bob Frampton played 2 regular season game and 3 playoff games in the NHL with the 1949/50 Montreal Canadiens.

                           Tom Price

During the 1970s, Tom Price played 29 games in the NHL. He suited up for the California Seals, Cleveland Barons and Pittsburgh Penguins.

                         Robbie Moore

Robbie Moore played 5 regular season and 5 playoff games in the NHL with the 1978/79 Philadelphia Flyers. He also played a game with the 1982/83 Washington Capitals.

                         Hank Nowak

During the 1970s Hank Nowak scored 26 goals and 55 points in 180 career regular season NHL games between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. 

                              Steve Self

Steve Self played 3 games in the NHL with the 1976/77 Washington Capitals.

                        Brian Lavender

During the 1970s Brian Lavender played nearly 200 games in the NHL. He was a member of the St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and California Seals. He ended his career in the WHA with the Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics.

                      Leo Carbol (d. 1991)

Defenseman Leo Carbol played 6 games in the NHL with the 1942/43 Chicago Blackhawks. He spent most of his career in the AHA with the St. Louis Flyers.

                      Ray Ceresino (d. 2015)

Ray Ceresino recorded a goal and an assist in 12 career NHL games with the 1948/49 Toronto Maple Leafs. His son, Gordy, is notable for also having a brief NHL career. 

                         Steve Seguin

Steve Seguin played 5 games in the NHL with the 1984/85 Los Angeles Kings.

                         Sean Shanahan

From 1975 to 1978 Sean Shanahan (no relation to Brendan) played 40 games in the NHL, dressing with the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins. He also played a handful of games in the WHA with the 1978/79 Cincinnati Stingers.

                           Hap Myers

Hap Myers played 13 NHL games with the 1970/71 Buffalo Sabres.

                          Rick Vasko

From 1977 to 1981 defenseman Rick Vasko recorded 3 goals and 10 points in 31 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings.

                             Jack Shill (d. 1976)

From 1933 to 1939 Jack Shill played 163 NHL games between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, New York Americans, Chicago Blackhawks. He won the Stanley Cup in 1938 with the Hawks. His brother, Bill, also played in the NHL.

                      Art Jackson (d. 1971)

From 1934 to 1945 Art Jackson scored over 300 points in 466 career regular season NHL games. He was a member of the Maple Leafs, Bruins and Americans. He won the Stanley Cup in 1941 and 1945. His brother was legendary Maple Leaf Busher Jackson. 

                        Alex Kaleta (d. 1987)

From 1941 to 1951 Alex Kaleta netted 213 points in 386 career NHL games between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers. He's perhaps best known as being credited with helping invent the 'hat trick.' 

                    Les Douglas (d. 2002)

From 1940 to 1947 Les Douglas scored 6 goals and 18 points in 52 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings. He contributed 5 points in 10 playoff games as he helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1943.

                             Jim Ross (d. 2016)

From 1951 to 1953 Jim Ross played 62 games in the NHL with the New York Rangers.

               Artemi Panarin

Russian Artemi Panarin entered the NHL in 2015 as an undrafted player with the Chicago Blackhawks. He went on to win the Calder Trophy and has become an NHL star. Currently with the New York Rangers, Panarin is a two time NHL All-Star. 

                  Matthew Benning

Matt Benning has played 4 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. His father, Brian Benning, had a long NHL career. 

                    Kevin Rooney

An undrafted product of Providence College, Kevin Rooney has played nearly 100 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils since making his NHL debut with the club in 2016/17. 

                    Noel Acciari

An undrafted Providence College product, Noel Acciari has played 5 seasons in the NHL, most recently with the Florida Panthers. 

                Drake Caggiula

An undrafted University of North Dakota product, Drake Caggiula has played 4 seasons in the NHL between the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks. 

                   Gemel Smith

Gemel Smith has scored 21 points in 83 career NHL games between the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. His brother, Givani, has also played in the NHL.

                   Nick Seeler

Defenseman Nick Seeler has played over 100 NHL games. He played for the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. 

                Tyrell Goulbourne

From 2017 to 2019 Tyrell Goulbourne played 11 games in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers. 

                     Will O'Neill

Defenseman Will O'Neill was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2006. He went to the University of Maine then spent half a dozen seasons in the AHL. He played 1 game in the NHL with the 2017/18 Philadelphia Flyers.

                       Blake Pietila

From 2015 to 2019 Blake Pietila played 38 games in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. Internationally, he won Gold at the 2013 World Juniors with team USA.