Cory Schneider TTM Update

I mailed to Cory Schneider on 10/09/2009 c/o the Manitoba Moose.  I received 2/2 on 11/03/2009.  Less than a month is great.  Cory has recently been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks to replace the injured Roberto Luongo.  Andrew Raycroft has been playing amazing lately, so Cory hasn't had much playing time.  Hopefully, the Canucks trade this kid so that he gets a legitimate shot at playing in the NHL on a regular basis.

Filip Kuba TTM

I sent 2 cards to Filip Kuba c/o The Ottawa Senators on 10/06/2009.  I received them both back autographed on 10/19/2009.  13 days returned.  Amazing response.  Kuba was traded to the Sens in the off season of 2008.  He is a consistent puck moving defencemen and had a career high 40 points last year.  He has been injured for much of this year so far, so hopefully he can get back soon.

TTM wait list update

Its been a really slow month.  Sept. 1 was the last success I have received.  Below is the list of players I am waiting on and the date sent:

Mike Komisarek 02/17/2009
Roberto Luongo 02/17/2009
Sam Gagner 03/05/2009
Maxim Lapierre 03/11/2009
Matt Stajan 03/12/2009
Mike Bossy 04/15/2009
Ryan Kesler 04/30/2009
Scott Rolen 04/30/2009
Andy Bathgate 07/02/2009
Paul Ysebaert 08/19/2009
Casey Janssen 09/01/2009
Geoff Courtnall 09/01/2009
Andrew Cogliano 09/16/2009
Jay Bouwmeester 09/16/2009
Willie Mitchell 09/16/2009
Garnet Exelby 09/18/2009
Guillaume Latendresse 09/21/2009

If anyone has any success or failure information on these guys, please let me know.

Senators IP

I went to the Senators vs Canadiens pre-season game on Saturday.  The Senators held an open practice in the morning so we thought we would get autographs after that.  Boy, were we wrong.  The security guards were being very nasty.  They told us that the team told them and the players that no one stops to sign autographs.  So, after being shutout there, we went on to try to get them after the game.  It was a chilly night in Ottawa and one by one, player's cars kept right on driving past the 15 fans waiting.  Only 4 players plus the coach stopped to sign for the fans.  Chris Phillips is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and he always stops for the fans.  I mean ALWAYS!  Shean Donovan also stops most of the time at least as I have gotten him a few times now.  Nick Foligno is another guy that literally always stops.  Ryan Shannon also stopped but I didn't have anything for him to sign.  These 3 guys should be commended for stopping and interacting with the fans for a few minutes.  The rest of the team just flew by without a second glance.  I have been hounding the Senators when I go to games(its a 2.5 hour drive)for about 11 years and I have never had this bad of luck.  I have never gotten less than 7 autographs before this night.  I don't know what is going on up there, but I hope they change it.  The Senators were far from selling out last year, so getting some fans deeply behind them might be a good idea.  Anyway, here is the photos of what I did get.

Wayne Gretzky TTM Update

I mailed Wayne Gretzky a McFarlane base on March 11, 2009.  I mailed it to the Phoenix Coyotes with a return envelope and US stamps.  I had a success with him there when he first started there on a card so I thought I would give this a shot.  On Sept. 10, 2009, I got it back unsigned with a letter.  So, I guess Gretzky is no longer doing TTM stuff.  He used to autopen TTM items.  My card may be an autopen, I have no idea.  In my mind it is an auto, and I don't care really.  I did get him in person at the NHL draft 2 years ago in Ottawa.

Norm Ullman TTM Update

I mailed 3 cards to Norm Ullman on August 21 and received all 3 back signed on Sept. 1. Great response out of this hall of famer. He even added the HOF inscription. I really like the 01-02 Fleer Greats of the Game set. I think I now have about 20 autos or so from that set. It would be nice to complete the ones that are not deceased, but that includes Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr among others. Pipe dream I guess.

Lou Fontinato TTM Update

I mailed 2 cards to Lou Fontinato on August 21, and received 1/2 back on Sept. 1. He kept the one card, so I assume he may have needed it for his own collection. Happy to get another auto and in less than 2 weeks too.