Gary Leeman Story

I forgot about this one so I thought I'd get it down before I forgot too much. During the fan skate with the Old timers, Gary Leeman, Bob Probert and Jimmy Mann were out doing their thing with people. I noticed Leeman standing around by the boards. I skated over to him and asked if he could give my wife any tips about skating backwards. I said if it comes from him, she'll listen. Well, my wife was ready to shoot me for embarrassing her. But a former 50 goal scorer teaching you how to skate 1 on 1? I thought cool! So he gave her some tips, bend the knees, posture and "cutting half moons" in the ice. He was not sure about the pivot from front to back thought in picks, so he yells over, "Hey Proby, come here for a second please." Probert skates over and he asks him to show her how to pivot from front to back with picks, with Probert being the experienced skater from 'Battle of the Blades'. Probert picks up her skate making sure she did not fall and feels her picks. He explained how to make the transition and then told started started skating backwards and explained how to "cut c's on the ice".

I thought it was kinda cool, Leeman and Probert giving her a free skating lesson.
Probert made sure every person on the ice got something signed. I saw him look around the ice, seeing one kid he missed and zoomed over to him to sign his helmet. He then took the kid over to Gary Leeman to sign the helmet as well. Probert even told Leeman where to sign so it would look good.
I continued to skate with Leeman and just chatted. He told me about his days in AAA, then Wilcox (the beginning of the 'Hound Line'), then Regina and drafted to Toronto. He told me how he started as a defenceman then to get more playing time, was sent to minors. He asked something about Wendel Clark (Wendel played his junior in the arena) . I explained Wendel told those stories at his charity event this summer. Leeman then mentioned something about John Brophy, I laughed and it appeared that Clark respected and liked Brophy . Leeman said the same thing about him, laughing that Brophy played Leeman a lot so they got along well. The rest of the skaters left the ice so the two of us just kept skating around. He finished with a funny story of Brophy swearing at Leeman at Maple Leaf Gardens over a screwed up play with Clark. Leeman is a classy, down to earth good guy...

Again with that Eberle? And Probert...

2009-2010 ITG Heroes and Prospects

2009-2010 Upper Deck Series 1
Hey, Bobby is one of the nicest players you will ever meet.

Steve Yzerman, Lowe and Kypreos

We got to the event early as usual but with the cold December air, this was a tough position. We waited at the door to see if we could catch them coming in, after about 5 minutes, freezing our butts off, a older guy came out asking what we were doing. We mentioned we were hoping to get some autographs of the guys when they came inside. He laughed and said that they were here for an early breakfast. So we walked back to the main doors to stand in line. TSN said they would let the people in when they were ready not at the scheduled 10:00 am. The doors opened and it was a mad rush to get inside. The tables were set up in a poor way, some dipsh*t working said some chairs were saved and by the time I walked around we were sitting 6 or 7 chairs back from the front. The crowd filled in and by 10:45 easily held 1500 people. Steve Yzerman and his crew walked out and the place went crazy. After the introductions, I realized the person walking with Steve at CUC two days earlier was Ken Holland, Wings GM. Hey, I'm not Wings fan...LOL...
After the media blitz, I tried to read where he would sign. We waited by the Sportsnet booth and noticed Nick Kypreos, of the 1996 New York Ranger Cup team, working. It took a little time for Nick to get setup and he told people he would come back to sign soon. We laughed when we saw what he has to do. At the table across from the Sportnet seats his kids were having lunch. He played 'dad' for a few minutes, making sure they did what they needed to do, even fixing an iPod for one son. He came back and signed for about 10 people. He signed my Leafs jersey with a blue sharpie, came out really nice, I thought. No one was talking to him, so as he was signing for others, I asked how his Christmas was. He smiled and said, "Great and how was yours?"
Well, I never get skunked.
I told my wife to stay at our post, walking to the other side of the stage. Steve was sitting getting ready for a CTV interview. I watched the interview and saw a bunch of kids on his right side. After a guys from Hockey Canada, handed him a sharpie and he started to sign. He stayed in one spot and signed for about 30 people. Myself not being one of them. I tried to get close but there was no physical way to get close, tables and too many people. So I headed back to the right side to wait. Kevin Lowe walked over signed for a few people and redeemed himself quickly in my books (see Edmonton VS New York game in Saskatoon). He signed my Team Canada practice jersey and we chatted for a bit. Really nice guy, hmm.
Back to Steve Yzerman again. He came over to the Sportnet booth to be interviewed by Darren Millard and Kypreos. He stood right in front of us, I thought this would work. When it was done, someone who I can not name stood in the VIP area asking for an autograph for her brother who plays in the NHL. Not cool. He walked away and told the crowd he would come back. He was being pulled 100 different ways by Hockey Canada, so in a way I did feel bad for him. CTV interview him on the other side again so we headed over there. Now, if you have read my blog, you know I am a strong believer in autograph karma. Some really loud guy hollers at me when I tried to get close along the wall.
He yells, "Hey the line is over here, go to the end!"
I laughed and walked to the back. I really hate bringing attention to myself during these times. So I watched Steve sign for many in that one spot, the loud mouth was still a ways back. I called my wife to see where she ended up. She told me where she was so I walked around to see her, right by the stage door. Steve was right there. I said nothing, laughed to myself but thought keep my mouth shut, she's in. Steve got to her and did a complete 180*. He told her he does not sign numbers. He signed for someone else and she said she sounded so heartbroken, telling him she was not going to sell it, it was for her husband. He said sorry he just doesn't do that. She is not a rookie at this by any means, so she asked if he could personalize it. He changed even the tone of his voice and said "Ok, sure."
He put 'Best Wishes Kolin, Steve Yzerman'
He put up a fuss, but came through in the end, and I walk away with a personalized Steve Yzerman jersey, it will be heat pressed today and stick next week. Karma baby, karma the loud mouth got nothing.

Team Canada Olympic Roster Announcement by Steve Yzerman-Saskatoon Canada

Check my youtube channel for the whole roster announcement. In 3 sections, goalies, defence and fowards.

Yzerman, Lowe and Kypreos Signed Jerseys

The whole story and complete pictures tomorrow, I am tired from the day... I will let the cat out of the bag, I had trouble getting Yzerman to sign so I sent in the professional, my wife.

Better day today, Eberle, Kadri, Hamonic, Yzerman (kinda), Della Rovere, Kozun and Jones

Yes, even Stevie Y. Totally fluked this one, walked into a stairwell, looked to my left, Steve Yzerman with someone who looked like Tambellini but moved so quick, could not tell. I looked over and saw him, asked, "Hey man, how are you?" He looked at me and said, "Very good, and you?" I had a 2 second chance in the stairwell to ask him and he probally would have, but it happened so fast, I wanted to make sure I at least spoke to him. He made no secrets he was there, he walked with the rest of the people, but this is Saskatchewan, people saw him and just smiled. He was escorted up the stairs and I think went into the VIP area. People, this is hockey central for the next week. Pics of the goods and some game videos tomorrow.

All I Want for Xmas is a Stevie Y Jersey...

Any Canadian Hockey Freak out there, heard the announcement yesterday about Hockey Canada holding their announcement of hte 2010 Men's Olympic Team in Saskatoon on December 30.  Wings jersey on the way, Wings puck purchased, oh yah....The also confirmed today that Wayne Gretzky will be in attendance at the World Junior tournament over Christmas. I can not wait my friends, bring it on...

1972 Year in Hockey Box Break

 Notice the puckering on the red, perhaps an elbow.  ITG gives you nothing more though, 3 graphs and 1 jersey card. Decent graphs, the Park is really cool; Hall of Famer and Lever being an ex-Flame, plus Lever appears to be the player traded for Lanny!  Decent stuff.  More of the box break in Cardville!

Kyle Calder signed LA Kings #9

Just forgot about this one, Kyle signed it at the Jarret Stoll thing this year. Jersey coming this week, got it by mistake from my Stoll jersey kit, so I made good use of it I guess.

Gaston Gingras and Tiger Williams Signed Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey

Signed by both Gaston Gingras (Cup Winner in 1986) and Dave "Tiger" Williams (Career Penalty Minute Leader-3966 Mins)

Now This is Just Bragging

Mike Babcock brought the Cup to Saskatoon and we all got to share it with him. Thanks Mike!
Price of Detroit Pucks to get signed $5.00,
Parking because we had to wait in line for 3 hours $10
Price of this Photo-Oh Yah, Priceless!

Alex Delvecchio-Signed Jersey Number

This one comes from Bossa Production from a private signing in Feb of 2009.

More Jarret Stoll Autographs-IP

Ok, this one was a bonus. Two years ago at the Jarret Stoll golf event my wife went through the line getting my Team Canada jersey signed and I had these numbers, colors or numbers meant nothing. The guys were happy to sign them but I had no idea what to do with them. Each Oiler gave out 5x-9 cards signed too. Look not too bad inthe frame.
Players who signed the numbers:
Mark Hartigan #13
Jarret Stoll #16
Dennis Polonich
Scott Hartnell #17
Sheldon Brookbank#6
Brad Maer #34
Raffi Torres #13
Joffrey Lupul #15
Wade Brookbank #17

Juno Cup-Lots of Leafs, Manson, Courtnall, Leeman

This was from the 2006 Juno Cup in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. We attended the Juno's on Sun and the Juno Cup was Friday night. This was my first NHL jersey to be signed. I was not happy after the game because there seemed to be no chance at a signing. Russ Courtnall was signing at one of the gates so I draped my new Leaf jersey over and Russ signed it for me. I was then happy, I got one. We walked over to the door and there were people waiting. We found out that the players and singers came out that door. I ended up getting lots of singers and actors; Brent Butt, George Canyon, Richard Underhill, Andrew Scott, Sam Roberts and Brent Fitz. The NHL'ers were Russ Courtnall, Bob Probert, Gary Leeman, Mike Pelyk, Tim Cheveldae & Dave Manson. I missed Paul Coffey and Wendel Clark, that sucked not getting Clark on a Leafs jersey. Probert looked at me and I said, "Yah I know.."(he didn't play for the Leafs) Bryan Glynn walked by and signed for no one. He is police officer now so maybe something came up in town. This was the easiest jersey to get signed, I was 1 of 40 people who had sharpies! The players were asking me to borrow mine to sign other peoples stuff!

Gordie Howe-IP Many years ago...

Many years ago, Mr. Gordie Howe was in Saskatoon for an unveiling of a statue of him. There was a line up for 2 hours but well worth it. It was a little different than the first time he was at Market Mall in Saskatoon signing for a Commemorative Plate of his. I think now he charges a lot for his autograph so I am thankful my wife and I got him 2x. I got the hat signed and my wife got a 8x10 signed from Upper Deck. I went first said "Thanks", then my wife gets the picture signed and asks him to personalize it to her dad, which he does. I asked if I could too and he apologized and said I'd have to go to the back of the line. UGGH.

Jarret Stoll Charity Golf Tourney

This Team Canada jersey was from Jarret Stoll's charity golf tournament from 2006.
He is a super guy who raised millions of dollars for hospital equipment in Saskatoon.
On the jersey are
Dennis Polonich-retired Detroit Red Wings
Joffrey Lupul-Edmonton Oilers (at the time)
Raffi Torres-Edmonton Oilers (at the time)
Colby Armstrong-Pittsburgh Penguins (at the time)
Brad Maier-NHL Ref
Mark Hartnell-Anaheim Ducks (at the time)
Jamie Heward-Washington Capitals (at the time)
Jarret Stoll-Edmonton Oilers (at the time)
Scott Hartnell-Philadelphia Flyers
Sheldon Brookbank New Jersey Devils

Paul Coffey TTM SUCCESS

I sent Paul Coffey an Oiler 8x10 and a #7 White to get signed about 2 months ago. He owns and operates a couple of car dealerships in Ont. I missed getting him at the Juno Cup in Prince Albert a couple years ago so this is cool. The man skates like a stallion, smooth and powerful. It looks like he was born on skates. And he did not sign the #7, knew he wouldn't but thought what the hay.

Tim Cheveldae Signed Team Canada Jersey

On SAT of the Canadian Hockey Fan Fest, I had 15 mins to check out who was
signing before I had to Usher at a wedding where my wife was the a
bridesmaid. I walked up expecting Tim Cheveldae, he was not there. The fellow working the front said this is Gary Peters, 1964-65 Stanley Cup
winner. I asked him to sign my Team Canada jersey, he was cool and did. He showed me his Stanley Cup with the Montreal Candiens team names. Richard, Believeu, Ferguson, among others. Ok, I thought, you have my respect now.
LOL....I thanked him and zipped off to the wedding 3 blocks away. Did my job as usher and raced back for Tim Cheveldae at 5:00. He was really cool, signed a puck and my jersey. Got a really neat pic with him and off I went
to be at the reception at 5:30. My wife asked what I did in between and laughed when I told her. 3 really great NHL alumni! PS>>>These Team Canada Jerseys sign real nice, inexpensive and no Canadian hockey player ever turns down signing these!

NHL Hockey Fan Fest

Our exhibition is on this week, this year they had a setup called Hockey Fan
Fest, memorabilia, games, trophies all from Canadian Hockey Federation.
Sounded cool, Calgary had a whole what of Flames and Flames old-timers. We
checked it out today and it was ok at best for memorabilia. There was a
older fellow was sitting at the front desk. Over the intercom, they said
the autograph session has started, and Ralph Klassen of the St Louis Blues
will sign for 2 hours. I walked over got a team Canada jersey signed,
personalized and chatted for a bit. Never really heard of him but an NHL
graph is a NHL graph. After I got home, I learned he played 497 games in
the NHL in the 70's and 80's. So not a real name but a solid player in the
NHL. Tim Chevldae tomorrow.

Mike Babcock-Stanley Cup

Well, after a 2 hour wait in the blazing sun, a red truck drove up with the Stanley Cup on the back. People rushed to get pics of the Cup. As a Canadian, yah its pretty cool to see that trophy. I got some really cool pics of it, including one with Mike standing right in front of it. The keeper of the Cup was on hand, Mike Bolt. His job is to travel with the Cup, but more in charge of the security. Mike was greeted by many and then back to the line. We know the game so we were there 1 hour early, about 20th in line, in front of 300 people waiting for a picture with the Cup, proceeds going to the children's hospital. 15 bucks for a pro 8x10 with it.
My wife and I put our arms around it and smiled! Mike was signing for people off to the side so we got in another line. They were selling Red Wing merchandise so I bought a couple of pucks, a poster and had a Wings jersey and photo in my bag. They announced only 1 item per person, never
thought of that whilst I dropped $25 on merchandise. Oh well, money goes to charity. Well, remember my wife? WE get to Babcock, long story short, 3 things signed. Oh yah! Backed off the jersey; no more room!!!!We walked to a restaurant festival, had lunch and an hour later, I said we should go back
and see how many people are there. Grabbed my photo walked down there, 10 people in line, got it signed and we called it a day! Nice guy, very approachable chatted with people and it was a great cause. But I do hate the Wings....LOL