Sunday, November 1, 2020

Month of Mail - October 2020

This month was dominated by an amazing lot of WHA signed index cards. I'm a big fan of the WHA and its history. Apart from my all-time NHL collection, I've been collecting autographs of players who only played in the 'Rebel League.'  With 9 new NHL autographs added this month the grand total of unique NHL player now stands at 6,676 for 87% of everyone to play in the NHL. 

                           David Morisset
I was thrilled to get a TTM reply from David Morisset this month. Morisset played 4 games in the NHL with the 2001/02 Florida Panthers. He's also notable for representing Canada at the 2001 World Juniors, taking home a Bronze medal. Morisset was the last player autograph I needed to complete first decade of 2000. 

                           Glen Burdon
Defenseman Glen Burdon recorded 2 assists in 11 career NHL games with the 1974/75 Kansas City Scouts. 

                        Hannu Kamppuri
Goalie Hannu Kamppuri played 2 games in the WHA with the 1978/79 Edmonton Oilers. He later spent a season in the NHL, playing 13 games with the 1984/85 New Jersey Devils. He's a member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame and represented the nation at the world stage on numerous occasions. 

                           Dan Fridgen
Dan Fridge scored 2 goals and 5 points in 13 career NHL games with the Hartford Whalers. He later spent many years as a college hockey coach with R.P.I..

                          Des Smith (d. 1981)
From 1937 to 1942 Des Smith played nearly 200 regular season games in the NHL between the Montreal Maroons, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. He helped the Bruins with the Stanley Cup in 1941. Two of his sons, Brian and Gary, also played in the NHL.

                      Archie Wilcox (d. 1993)
From 1929 to 1935 Archie Wilcox played over 200 games in the NHL. He was a member of the Montreal Maroons, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Eagles.

                          Dave Hindmarch
From 1980 to 1984 Dave Hindmarch scored 21 goals in 99 games with the Calgary Flames. His career was cut short by a brutal on ice injury. Internationally, he represented Canada at the 1980 Olympics.

                              Mark Plantery
Defenseman Mark Plantery recorded 1 goal and 6 points in 25 career NHL game with the 1980/81 Winnipeg Jets. Internationally, he won Silver at the 1977 World Juniors while representing Canada.

                          Anders Steen
Anders Steen came to North America from Sweden to play one season with the 1980/81 Winnipeg Jets. He split the season between the Jets and their AHL team. In the NHL, he scored 5 goals and 16 points in 42 games. He's since spent many years as an NHL scout with the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues.

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                         Georges Gagnon
Gagnon dressed in 3 NHL games as a backup goalie with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1981/82 NHL season. 
                            Blake Ball (d. 2006)
A long-time pro hockey player who spent most of his career in the EHL, Blake Ball played in 2 WHA games, both during the playoffs, with the 1972/73 Cleveland Crusaders. He's best known for appearing in the 1977 movie Slap Shot as tough hockey player Gilmore Tuttle.

                             John Fisher
John Fisher recorded 5 assists in 40 career WHA games with the 1972/73 Alberta Oilers.

                         Ron Garwasiuk
Ron Garwasiuk was drafted 21st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1969 but never played in the NHL. He played one season in the WHA, scoring 19 points in 51 games with the 1973/74 Los Angeles Sharks.

                            John Donnelly
Defenseman John Donnelly played 15 games in the WHA with the 1972/73 Ottawa Nationals.

                          Dave Dornseif
A Providence College alumni, Dave Dornseif played 3 games with the 1977/78 Indianapolis Racers and 1 game with the 1978/79 Cincinnati Stingers.

                             Merv Haney
Defenseman Merv Haney played 7 WHA games with the 1972/73 Ottawa Nationals.

                           Pat Donnelly
Pat Donnelly spent one season in the WHA, scoring 5 goals and 12 points in 23 games with the 1975/76 Cincinnati Stingers. I had a heck of a time finding a picture of him for this, finally getting this poor shot from a team picture.

                               Jack Gibson
In 122 regular season WHA games Jack Gibson scored 38 goals and 60 points between the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros.

                      Craig Hanmer (d. 2011)
Defenseman Craig Hanmer played 27 games in the WHA with the 1974/75 Indianapolis Racers. A year later he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers but never played in the NHL.

                          Dave Gilmour
Dave Gilmour, who was drafted by the NHL's Vancouver Canucks in 1970, played 1 game in the WHA with the 1975/76 Calgary Cowboys.

                             Jim Adair
Jim Adair scored 12 goals and 29 points in 70 games with the 1973/74 Vancouver Blazers, his only season in the WHA.

                             Tom Earl
From 1972 to 1977 Tommy Earl was a full time member of the New England Whalers. He helped the team win the Avco Cup in 1973.

                         Richard Dupras
Rich Dupras played 2 games in the WHA with the 1973/74 Toronto Toros. 

                             Jacques Blain
Jacques Blain spent one season in the WHA, playing 70 games for the 1972/73 Quebec Nordiques.

                         Don Grierson
Don Grierson was drafted 23rd overall in 1968 by the Montreal Canadiens but never played for the club. He spent two productive seasons in the WHA with the Houston Aeros. From 1972 to 1974 he scored 33 goals and 73 points in 143 regular season games. He was a member of Gordie Howe's 1974 Avco Cup winning Aeros.

                           John Gravel
An offensive defenseman, John Gravel recorded 1 goal and 4 points in 8 career WHA games with the 1972/73 Philadelphia Blazers.

                              Bob Dobek
Bob Dobek represented USA at the 1976 Olympics. He then spent two seasons in the WHA, scoring 10 goals and 28 points in 72 games with the San Diego Mariners.

                           Michel Boudreau
Michel Boudreau was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1972 but opted to join the WHA's Philadelphia Blazers. He scored 7 goals and 14 points in 33 games with the 1972/73 Philadelphia Blazers. He also played 3 games for the 1973/74 Vancouver Blazers.

                        Norm Descoteaux
From 1972 to 1974 Norm Descoteaux played 37 games in the WHA with the Quebec Nordiques.

                           Michel DeGuise
Goalie Michel DeGuise was drafted 24th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1971. He spent a couple seasons in their system before signing in the WHA. DeGuise played 50 games for the Quebec Nordiques.

                             Mike Conroy
Mike Conroy played 4 games in the WHA with the 1975/76 Cleveland Crusaders. His son, Craig, went on to become a long time NHL player.

                                 Claude Chartre
Claude Chartre scored 2 goals and 5 points in 18 career WHA games. 

                            Jim Clarke
Jim Clarke spent a season in the WHA, playing 59 games with the 1975/76 Phoenix Roadrunners.

                             Derek Haas
Derek Haas scored 5 goals and 14 points in 30 WHA games with the 1975/76 Calgary Cowboys. He later spent many years playing in France and represented the country at the 1988 Olympics.

                          Michel Dubois
Defenseman Michel Dubois played 59 games in the WHA between the Indianapolis Racers and Quebec Nordiques.

                           Norm Cournoyer
Norm Cournoyer played 13 games with the 1973/74 Cleveland Crusaders and 19 games with the 1976/77 San Diego Mariners. He's the brother of former NHL star Yvan.

                              Guy Dufour
Guy Dufour had a productive but short career in the WHA. He scored 30 goals and 55 points in 83 games with the Quebec Nordiques.

                             Frank Blum
Goalie Frank Blum played a handful of games in the WHA, dressing for the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros and Winnipeg Jets.

                           Gary Bredin
Gary Bredin scored 24 goals and 57 points in 144 career WHA games.

                                Milt Black
From 1972 to 1975 Milt Black played just under 200 games with the Winnipeg Jets, scoring 28 goals and 59 points. He had been drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks and had been in their system prior to joining the Jets.

                           Kevin Ahearn
Kevin Ahearn won a Silver medal at the 1972 Olympics with team USA. He then went on to have one solid season in the WHA, scoring 20 goals and 42 points in 78 games with the 72/73 New England Whalers.

                         Jamie Bateman
From 1974 to 1976 Jamie Bateman played 31 games in the WHA with the San Diego Mariners.

                        Marty Gateman
Marty Gateman played 12 games with the 1975/76 New England Whalers. He had been drafted by the New York Rangers and spent 3 seasons in their minor league system before signing with the Whalers.

                         Yves Archambault
Goalie Yves Archambault was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1972 but opted to sign in the WHA with the Philadelphia Blazers. He played 6 regular season and 3 playoff games with the Blazers in 1972/73 and another 5 regular season games with the team when they moved to Vancouver for the 1973/74 season.

                                Bob Blanchet
Goalie Bob Blanchet played 4 games in the WHA with the San Diego Mariners. 

                              Gary Doyle
Goalie Gary Doyle was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1969 but never played in the NHL. After attending the University of Ottawa he signed with the Oilers and played 1 game in the WHA for the 1973/74 team.

                        Rick Cunningham
Rick Cummingham spent 5 seasons in the WHA, playing over 300 games in the league. He was a member of the Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls.

                             Mike Fedorko
Mike Fedorko played 4 games in the WHA with the 1976/77 Houston Aeros. During the 1990s he spent time as a head coach in the WHL and OHL.

                       Jean-Claude Garneau
Jean-Claude Garneau played 17 games in the WHA with the 1974/75 Quebec Nordiques.

                             Dean Boylan
Dean Boylan played 64 games in the WHA between the New Jersey Golden Blades, Jersey Knights and San Diego Mariners.

                              Ron Ashton
Ron Ashton spent a season in the WHA, scoring 4 points in 36 games with the 1974/75 team. His brother, Brent, had a lengthy NHL career.

                               Jim Cole
Jim Cole recorded 1 assist in 2 WHA games with the 1976/77 Winnipeg Jets.

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