Gretzky Jersey Update

Now, you might wonder why I choose this jersey to get signed. First, I wanted it to be different, maybe because as a kid, the sight of his jersey brought me to tears. Remember where I am from... Secondly, the cost of a nice Gretzky jersey was around $150. I put this one together for around $100. It turned out better than I thought it would, brought home by the nameplate I think. I can never complain about this particular 48 hours, the greatest hockey player ever, 3 autographs, 2 pictures with him and a 5 minute chat with him about teaching.

Iggy and Connie

Once again, if you have read my blog at all, you would have expected these cards to start rolling in. More to come!

2005-06 Upper Deck Sign of the Times

2006-07 Upper Deck BAP

Here's the Loot

Not a bad nights haul.

Bernie Nicholls Ranger Jersey

Bernie Nicholls Plastic stand

Trottier OPC Rookie

Nicholls OPC Rookie Card

Craig Simpson Oilers Puck, Trottier Islanders Puck
Nicholls Ranger Puck and Jimmy Mann Nordiques Puck

Bob Probert used my silver pen for every fan on the ice during the preskate. The pen ran out before I realized it. Hey Bob made sure every person on the ice before the game received an autograph. Can not knock the guy for that. Great stuff!
Anyways, Dave Ellett Leafs Puck,
Gary Leeman Leafs Puck,
Bob Propert Wings Puck

All the players except Ronning and Anderson, they hate fans....

Wayne Gretzky Signed Oiler Number

Purchased from a reputable dealer in town, Gretzky was here 1 month ago and was a very kind signer as we know. This person was able to get this signed during the two days Wayne was in town. Will turn into a Oilers jersey soon.

Schenn and Gretzky

Well, if you have been reading my blog for any time, you could have guest this card would end up in my possession. I did not want to mess around with the auto or jersey cards just went for the top prize. It is rated a 3 and is not perfect by any means. But its a rookie card that I can afford so be it!
2009-2010 ITG Heroes and Prospects

More World Junior Players-> Custom Cards

More custom cards from my students. They are just excited to start receive autographs from the World Junior Team. And of course, they say their teacher can have one!

Wayne Gretzky signed Oilers Jersey-IP

We looked around for him earlier today with no luck. We came home for a bit and thought for a second, maybe just call it a success and not down down to the event. My wife, she is the best, said we should go and try and if we get it, good and if not, last night was a success. So we ended up in traffic and got there about 5:20pm. People were dressed up and we just walked with the bunches to the building. There was a statue of Gretzky in the front holding the Cup, kinda cool looking. We knew he'd show up in a limo, so we just waited. For about 20 seconds, seriously... A white limo showed up and out he stepped. I rushed out and Wayne walked over to the side door, no one around him. I asked him for an autograph and he actually did not hear me. I said it again and he said, "Sure". I said I was a teacher and the price tag for the event was too steep for me. I was then looking for my marker and was so bloodly nervous, I could not find it. I said to Wayne Gretzky, "Don't suppose you have a marker, I am so nervous I can not find mine.' He pulled out a blue sharpie and said, "Don't worry, its OK." That made me calm down a lot. He asked me where and what I taught. I told him high school history and he said I should talk to his dad, he knows tonnes about history. I said thanks and took 2 steps away. My wife was waiting to take my picture with him and he knew that. I turned back to see Wayne Gretzky with his arm out for me. I walked over and got my picture, again, with greatest hockey player to ever play the game. I ran all the way home then. LOL....A dad asked for a picture with his son and Wayne grabbed him around the shoulders to take the picture. A great two days. But the million dollar question, How on earth do I top this?

Well, Life Is Good, Guess Who?

We knew he would be in town tonight so we headed off to the main hotel in our town. We sat down for a drink to scope the place out and after about an hour, my wife notices a drink label of 99 Wines. Just as she reads this, two police walk into the lounge (no joke here). We overhear them talking about Gretzky in town and motion with his hand 'over there'. The server came over and my wife asked if Gretzky was staying here. She said yes and the police said he was across the street at 6/12. I guess we're old, so we had to ask what that was. She said it was the bar across the street in the other hotel. We were there earlier but missed him. We paid our bill and walked over. We aimed for pucks tonight because it was a shot in the dark. The pens were prepped we walked in the bar. Now, this is Saskatchewan, it is different here than large cities. Wayne was sitting by the door with 2 other guys, one being Kelly Chase. My wife was really nervous and waited for him to see her to ask politely. She asked and he said sure, no problem. Really without missing a word in the conversation, signed her puck and then mine. I had to shake his hand and say, thank you. He just smiled and said,"No, not a problem." We walked off. We hung out in the lobby for half hour or so laughing at people walking out mentioning Wayne Gretzky being in the bar. My wife wanted a picture either of him or with him. We discussed it for awhile if he was annoyed or ticked that we approached him. We came up with a deadline of 9:00. I said I was willing to stay there longer than that. We then went back into the bar and sat down for a drink. We asked the server if he was approached for pictures and she did not see any. My wife is the pro remember so we walked over, laughing at their choice of snacks, Sushi. She asked the guy next to him if he would take a picture, he said "Yah" He took my Blackberry and patted Wayne on the arm to look this way. He was bugging my wife by saying get in close and then turned his head away, turning it back say, "Just kidding!" He took the picture with us and as you notice, his checks were really red. Notice the pucks too, I think he was in there for a bit, enjoying our Saskatchewan hospitality. What a night. I playfully punched Chase in the arm and said, "Enjoy Saskatoon Kelly." More so to let him know, yah I know who you are.

Alex Pietrangelo 08-09 SPX Rookies Autograph Card

08-09 Upper Deck
SPX Rookies Autograph Card #416/999

Still not convinced this is Alex.
Upper Deck wouldn't make a mistake like that would they?

Alex Pietrangelo Sign of the Times Autograph Card

2008-09 Upper Deck SP Authentic
Sign of the Times
BTW- I spoke to 'Petro' face to face at the WJC, even congratulated him after a game with a high five, realizing quick this kid is strong! This does not look like Alex....Hmm...

Kinda Funny, Frozen Pond

Surfing the net today on my usual sites, I came across this auction listing by Frozen Pond. Its for a Chicago Black Hawks signed Doug Gilmour jersey. The image they use is from his signing last year at Frozen Pond. Nice jersey but that's Gilmour signing a Leafs #9 not a Hawks. I know this because its my Leafs #9. The small pic of his signature covers the personalization to me Doug made. Here's the original photo. Now this is no disrespect to Frozen Pond, just funny.

Updates...

I almost always make the jersey after the signing or if I know for sure they will be there, have it made ahead of time. So I do my best to show the updated image of the finished jersey. I have lots of signed numbers 'on the go' so it does take time to get the jerseys together. I never buy the $130 jerseys either, I am patient and pick mine up on eBay for a fraction of the cost. I still have a signed Believeau #4 that is low on the list of items to finish. Off topic for a minute...
I wish Mr. Believeau a healthy and speedy recovery from his stroke this past week. He might be the truest gentleman, ambassador of the game we will ever see.
Ok, here is my update of my Tavares and Gilmour jerseys. Turned out not too bad...

Signed Wendel Clark Leafs Jersey and Pucks! Chaser Too...

Today was the first annual University of Saskatchewan Husky Hockey Dogs Off the Leash Luncheon. Master of Ceremonies was former NHL'er Kelly Chase and the guest speaker was Saskatchewan's own, Wendel Clark. I got Clark this summer on a bunch of stuff but hey, it's Wendel. He's our local boy who made good in the hockey world. He spoke for about 5 mins and then opened it up for questions. Chase said they both would stick around to sign autographs and I got ready. I watched where they would be and moved quickly when the program was over. I was by myself so there were no chances for my usual closeup pics. I got to Wendel in no time at all and I asked if he could personalize it, he said "Sure" and I spelled my name. He wrote 'Best Wishes', I thought that was cool, something more when he knows its for you. I saw other ask for two autographs so I asked for a puck too, not a problem and off I went. I got Kelly Chase on a puck on the way out, quick nothing much but a 'graph'. He did have a huge ring on, I thought for a second, he did not win a Cup but he did mention his junior team won a Championship in the US.

Doug Weight and Trent Hunter Signed Pucks

Snagged both guys after Day 1 of the camp. They were in group 2 so they went out at 10:00 and left the arena about 1:00. Doug signed 2 items which I was really thankful for. I handed Trent a Team Canada puck and asked, "Is this right?" He laughed and said, "Red Deer..." Great guys and leaders for that young Islander team.

Islander Jersey Numbers #3, #1, #9

These were a last minute decision, my number kit from eBay did not come in so I moved to Plan B. The top layer of the blue and orange on white jersey. I got Dwayne Roloson on a #3, he missed part of it on the number but it is hard to tell. I did ask him to sign a Oiler puck, he said, "Sorry no." Hmm, was it the Oiler logo or I asked for two? IMO, I think it was the Oiler logo. I said, "Thanks anyway." The #1 was signed by Kyle Okposo. He and another player walked out and were looking for someone. I said we had been there for awhile and asked who they were looking for. They said any players and asked who had come up the ramp. I mentioned Doug and Trent 10 mins ago. I asked if any of the numbers I had left would work for them. Kyle said the #1 would for him so he signed it for me. Nice guy... I had a hunch, Taveras would be a long shot, I asked Doug Weight on his way up to sign the #9. He did and introduced himself to me. He is one of the great people in the business I think. I will repost when I complete the jersey.

Doug Gilmour Signed Toronto Maple Leaf #9

I forgot about this one, I sent away to Frozen Pond to get a few things signed; Flames helmet, White Leafs #9 and a Leafs Puck. Totally forgot about this so it's still at Frozen Pond. Searching their site I came across some pics of the signing. That's my number 9 Killer is signing. Should get the stuff next week.

Theoren Fleury and Doug Gilmour Signed Flames Jersey

I actually knew Theo from years ago, he is from a town near my home town. As a kid, we never bothered asking guys who played on the NHL for autographs, Kelly Buchberger, Theo, Jeff Odgers. Now as a collector the chances are not as easy as they once were. Theo and Doug Gilmour did a signing in Calgary for Bossa Productions on April 4 and 5. I managed to get someone to get a whole bunch of stuff signed, there was a cost but worth it. Theo's rookie card from 89-90 was a neat item. And last not but least of the Flames items; a signed Gilmour Flames puck.

Skating with Gaston Gingras-one of the best-Stanley Cup Champ!

Before the game, everyone with a ticket had a chance to skate with some of the players, Gaston Gingras showed up which was cool, he was not scheduled to play. He is perhaps the nicest player I have ever met. I asked him if he coached and he said he only did clinics around North America. He said he just got back from Nunavut that morning and the weather was cold. We chatted for a couple of laps around the ice. He really promoted having fun playing the game. He cracked jokes and even playfully pushed me as we skated. Great great guy.
Something horrible dawned on me later that night. Gaston has won a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986. So that was cool to skate with a Cup winner. But in 1986, the Habs beat my Calgary Flames :( Ah, he was too cool to stay mad at him! Thanks Gaston!

OK, here's the plan

On March 15, the NHL OldTimers have a charity game in town.
Here's a quick list of players:
Anderson
Trottier
Smith
Bourne
Williams
Bodger
Nichols
Muni
Ronning
And some others. I have all of the guys except Muni and Bodger. I have a Trottier Islanders jersey, white old school Oiler jersey, white Team Canada Jersey (these are easy to get signed) and some pucks. Most are easy signers but Anderson. :( I will have some pics of the game and players and will showcase any new items.

Craig Conroy Signed Team USA Jersey

My niece got this signed for me while in LA a few years ago. It is actually a Team USA jersey (which was cheap to buy for signings) from 2004. Craig was super nice to her and singed it World Cup 2004 and his Team USA #33. I have thought about getting other American born players to sign it but not too many come this way for old timer games. The cat even likes Conroy!
Craig is having a great season with the Flames, if you watch the games on Sportsnet, TSN or CBC, they will interview him at least 50% of the time. He speaks well and he's great but we just get a kick when they pull him off to the side in between periods.