Carey Price, Josh Gorges and Maxim Lapierre In Person!

There was a free autograph signing for this trio of Montreal Canadiens' in Montreal yesterday.  Everyone received a free autographed lithograph, and you could pay an extra $31 for a ticket which got you one autograph from each player.  This was an amazing deal and we were planning going to this when we heard about it in September.  All 3 players were very courteous and signed great autographs for everyone.  They had to be signing for over 3 hours.
This was the free lithograph signed by all 3.

Josh Gorges signed this 8x10 and hockey card.  He said he hated those visors and didn't know why he stopped wearing one, and no wears one again.

Maxim Lapierre signed this 8x10 and hockey card.

I bought a Canadiens' official game puck and had Lapierre and Gorges sign it in gold paint pen.

Now for the star of the show...as far as I am concerned.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of Carey Price.  I always have been.  I said all summer long that he is an amazing goalie.  The Habs didn't play that great in front of him last year.  If they traded him instead of Halak, it probably would have ranked up there with the Roy trade as being the worst in the history of the Canadiens.  Anyways, I got him to sign 2 jerseys and a McFarlane base for me.  I am so happy to add this stuff to my collection!  I must have looked like a dealer up there, but this stuff is all going up on the wall.

Kim St. Pierre TTM Success

Mailed:  09/29/2010
Received:  11/29/2010
Days:  61
c/o:  Hockey Canada

I mailed these cards to Kim c/o Hockey Canada in Calgary.  I have had a couple of successes so far with that team and I hope for more.  She even included a note thanking me for writing her.  This is such an awesome response!  The signatures are amazing as well.  Team Canada beat Team USA 3-2 in the final of the 4 Nations Cup in Newfoundland this year.  They will now be preparing for the 2011 World Championships in April.

Tyler Weiman TTM Success

Mailed:  11/01/2010
Received:  11/22/2010
Days:  21
c/o:Manitoba Moose

21 days returned is awesome!  Tyler has bounced around the minors for a while.  He has only played 16 minutes of NHL time with the Avalanche way back in 07-08.  He is pretty much splitting the time with Eddie Lack for the Moose.  He has pretty good numbers so far, so who knows, maybe he will get a call up in case of injury.

Francois Beauchemin TTM Success

Mailed:  03/22/2010
Received:  11/12/2010
Days:  235
c/o: Toronto Maple Leafs


The Leafs are having a tough time right now, but the season is early.  Maybe Kadri and Aulie can inject some offence into that lineup.  Francois is a great stay at home defenceman who has had a great career.  He was originally drafted by the Canadiens, but only played one game for them.

J.T. Wyman TTM Success

Mailed:  10/07/2010
Received:  11/04/2010
Days:  28
c/o: Hamilton Bulldogs

J.T. Wyman is currently with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.  He has 5 points in 11 games so far.  He is another of a bunch of guys that they have gotten out of the Dartmouth College route. 

Paul Ysebaert TTM Success

Mailed:  08/19/2009
Received:  11/01/2010
Days:  439
c/o: Home

This is the longest I have waited for a success thus far.  Paul Ysebaert was one of the fastest skaters in the NHL of his time.  He had some great seasons with the Devils and Lightning.

Jean Beliveau TTM Success

Mailed:  09/22/2010
Received:  10/21/2010
Days:  29
c/o: Montreal Canadiens


Jean Beliveau is one of the classiest people you will ever meet.  I have had the pleasure of getting his autograph in person in which he "Thanked me for coming.".  Seriously!  One of the greatest players to ever play the game just thanked me for getting his autograph.  I am still working on getting the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game set signed, so I wrote him explaining that and mentioned that I had gotten his autograph in person at a past card show.  He returned both cards I send in 29 days.  I am glad to see he is doing well after his minor stroke earlier this year.

Bill Barber TTM Success

Mailed:  09/22/2010
Received:  10/13/2010
Days:  21
c/o:  Philadelphia Flyers

This is all part of my side project to get the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game set signed.  21 days returned from the Philadelphia Flyers where he is a scout.  He signed them in blue sharpie as well.

Max Pacioretty TTM Success

Mailed:  12/02/2009
Received:  09/29/2010
Days:  301
c/o:  Montreal Canadiens

This one took a while.  I mailed it to the Habs last year while he was up.  I know that he bounced between the Habs and the Bulldogs a bit, so maybe this one got lost in translation at some point.  He is still with the Habs at this point during their training camp, so hopefully he stays with the big club.  I watched him play in Hamilton in February, and he skates very well.  I am always glad to add another Habs autograph.

Tomas Plekanec TTM Success

Mailed:  05/03/2010
Received:  09/24/2010
Days:  144
c/o:  Montreal Canadiens


I mailed these cards to Tomas last year during the Habs great playoff run.  Tomas had a great season last year, scoring 70 points, but the playoffs were not so great for him as he only had 11 points in 19 playoff games.  I hope he can get up in that area for points again this year, as the Habs have a pretty strong team and could finish in the top 6 in the conference.

Mike Modano TTM Success

Mailed:  06/01/2010
Received:  09/21/2010
Days:  112
c/o: Home

I mailed these 2 jumbo cards to Mike Modano in June.  He just signed with the Detroit Red Wings for at least one more season.  The hall of fame awaits him when he retires.  He is one of the greatest American born hockey players to play the game.  I wrote to him probably 10 years ago in Dallas and received a success with that one too.

Red Kelly TTM Success

Mailed:  08/26/2010
Received:  09/08/2010
Days:  13
c/o: Home

I wrote to Red Kelly last year successfully as well.  I have started a side collection to try to get the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game set signed.  So, this was another addition.  It is a great response from a hall of famer.

Henri Richard TTM Success

Mailed:  08/26/2010
Received:  09/07/2010
Days:  12
c/o: Home

I wrote to "The Pocket Rocket", last summer as well.  Both times he included the jumbo Molson card.  The reason I wrote him this time, is that I have started a project to get as many of the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game cards signed.  This gets me to 21 total so far out of the 100 card set.  There are some in that set that will be impossible for me to get so I know it will never be complete.  I like the set due to the large white spaces which are very autograph friendly.  Mr. Richard continues to be amazing for TTM fans.  I hope to have a chance to meet him in person someday.

Andrew Cogliano TTM Success

Mailed:  09/16/2009
Received:  08/23/2010
Days:  341
c/o:  Edmonton Oilers


I had totally written this one off.  341 days!  The autos are nice at least.  These 2 cards were all I had at the time so I sent them both.  I am glad to add this one, even though it took a while.  I think this is the longest I have waited for a success.

Bob Sauve TTM Success

Mailed:  07/02/2010
Received:  08/05/2010
Days:  34
c/o: Home

Bob Sauve was a great goalie who played for the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and the New Jersey Devils.  I always liked him when he was with the Sabres.  He won a Jennings Trophy while there too.  Great addition to my collection.

Marcel Pronovost TTM Success

Mailed:  07/05/2010
Received:  07/23/2010
Days:  18
c/o: Home

Marcel won 4 Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings back in the 1950s.  He then finished his career with the Maple Leafs through the 69-70 season.  He was a solid defenceman who put up some decent numbers as well.  I sent these 3 cards and again got the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game card sign.  I am going to have to do a tally and see how many of these cards out of this set I have autographed now.  It has to be getting up there.

Johnny Bower TTM Success

Mailed:  07/02/2010
Received:  07/014/2010
Days:  12
c/o: Home

Johnny Bower remains one of the best TTMers there is.  12 days for this hall of famer.  I wrote him last summer and he returned my 8x10 signed perfectly.  I picked up a McFarlane Figure last fall in the hopes that I could get it signed at some point.  I wasn't able to make it to a public signing he was doing, so I thought I would mail it.  This guy is a true class act and a lot of other players could really learn from him.

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

Matt Duchene.  The superstar for the Colorado Avalanche was in town!  He wouldn't sign numbers.  He did sign jerseys though.  I had this 8x10 and a puck, and he signed both!  This kid is going to have a great career.

Rene Robert signed puck.  Somehow, I didn't have a single card of his.  I have over 80,000 cards.  How the heck can this be possible?  Anyway, I took along some plain pucks in case there was anyone there that I didn't have anything for.

Gilbert Perreault.  I had heard that he hasn't been so kind to TTMers.  He wasn't overjoyed, but he signed for everyone.  I got him on this McFarlane base to add to my collection.

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

P.K. Subban.  As a Habs fan, this was awesome to get!!!  He wouldn't sign unless it was personalized.  I told him I was completely fine with that as this one is going on my wall.  There were a  couple of "dealers" there who were clearly trying to make money off of these guys.

Brad Richardson.

Billy Smith.  He is always great at this event.  Chatting with the fans and truly in a great mood.  After the oldtimers' games, he isn't so much. 

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

Matt Beleskey.

Mike Murphy.  Mike is in the Carolina Hurricanes' system.

Shawn Matthias.

Shane O'Brien.

Eric Tangradi.

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

Stephane Richer, Rick Martin and Andre Savard.

Shawn Matthias and Matt Beleskey.

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

Mike Murphy, Eric Tangradi, Matt Cookie, Shane O'Brien.

Medigas Celebrity Classic IP

The Medigas Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament is in Belleville, Ontario every year.  It has to be one of the premier golf tournaments in Ontario.  The list of celebrities, is awesome every year.  Here are the cards I got signed.

Brad Park, Rick Middleton, Terry O'Reilly and Butch Goring.  This set is my favorite set of cards ever produced.  Anytime I have an opportunity to get some of them signed I do.  They are from the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game set.  I hope that UD will bring this set back in this configuration.  The mostly white background,  makes them amazing for getting autos.

Cody Hodgson TTM Success

Mailed:  04/07/2010
Received:  07/07/2010
Days:  91
c/o:  Brampton Battalion

Cody has been battling back injuries over the last 2 seasons.  Hopefully, he can get that fixed because he has immense talent.  If his back problems are clear this season, the Canucks will have him up for sure. 

Nigel Dawes TTM Success

Mailed:  04/07/2010
Received:  06/28/2010
Days:  82
c/o: Calgary Flames

The Flames have been 100% returns for the past 2 seasons.  This one took a bit longer than most though, but I did mail it out the week before the season closed.  So, it may never have gotten to him before he left for home. 

Marc-Antoine Pouliot TTM Success

Mailed:  03/24/2010
Received:  06/28/2010
Days:  96
c/o:  Edmonton Oilers

It looks like the Oilers' players are getting around to checking their mail.  I have heard that the Oilers did not put a qualifying offer on the table for Pouliot, so it looks like he will hit the UFA market on July 1 and will be playing in a new city next year.  Another nice autograph to add nonetheless.

Sheldon Souray TTM Success

Mailed:  10/15/2009
Received:  06/28/2010
Days:  256
c/o:Edmonton Oilers

I got these post cards in a set at the Habs Store at the Bell Centre quite a few years back.  I have been sort of trying to get them all signed at some point, so I guess it is a side project.  I had sort of wrote this one off, so I was very happy to see it in the mail yesterday.  I am not sure if Sheldon is going to stay in Edmonton for next year or not.  I hope he does though.  They have an amazing young team that could really turn things around in the city of Champions.

Dick Duff TTM Success

Mailed:  06/16/2010
Received:  06/23/2010
Days:  7
c/o: Home

7 days turnaround for a NHL great.  Its been a slow spot for me this month.  It seems like I am probably not going to get many of my early season items returned.   Dick played 18 season in the NHL with Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, LA, and the New York Rangers.  Its great that he included an extra photo, but he folded it to fit in the envelope.

Brian Gionta TTM Success

Mailed:  03/22/2010
Received:  06/01/2010
Days:  71
c/o:  The Montreal Canadiens


This is only the 2nd response I have had out of the Habs since Feb. 2009.  I am very happy with this one though.  Gionta was great for the Habs during their playoff run this year.  He was injured for alot of the season, but he came through when it counted.  I didn't have an autographed card of his prior to this, so its great to add these ones.

Landon Ferraro TTM Success

Mailed:  03/24/2010
Received:  05/20/2010
Days:  57
c/o:  The Red Deer Rebels


I mailed this one out just before the WHL season ended.  The son of Ray Ferraro signed both cards in black sharpie.  He is a Detroit Red Wings 2nd round pick in 2009 so he may be back in the WHL next year.  Detroit has a knack for drafting really well and almost always have a rookie step up every year.  So, who knows.

Alex Burrows TTM Success

Mailed:  05/06/2010
Received:  05/20/2010
Days:  14
c/o:  The Vancouver Canucks


What an amazing return!!!  I mailed this to the Canucks when they were still in the playoffs against the Blackhawks.  Burrows is one of those players that you either love or hate.  I personally, think he is awesome!  I wish he was on the Canadiens!  Anyway, 14 days returned is pretty sweet.

Sami Salo TTM Success

Mailed:  01/11/2010
Received:  05/19/2010
Days:  128
c/o:  The Vancouver Canucks

I like Salo when he was with the Senators but I had never gotten his auto when he was there.  Sami suffered a really gruesome injury in the playoffs this year.  He was hit with a tipped slap shot right in the nether region.  He must be feeling better.  This is a great addition to my collection.

Chris Neil TTM Success

Mailed:  03/10/2010
Received:  05/17/2010
Days:  68
c/o:  The Ottawa Senators

I have never been able to get Chris Neil in person after Senators games.  Along with Spezza, they are about the only guys I have never gotten.  So, I mailed him these to cards.  The Senators are still one of the best TTM teams in Canada.  I am only waiting on Alex Kovalev from them this season.  I don't expect to get that one back though. 

Kelsey Tessier TTM Success

Mailed:  04/27/2010
Received:  05/17/2010
Days:  20
c/o:  The Moncton Wildcats

20 days for a future star with the Colorado Avalanche.  The Wildcats won the QMJHL title this year and are currently playing in the Memorial Cup in Brandon, Manitoba.  He personalized both cards too.