Toronto Sport Card Expo Spring 2010

I try my best to take in the world's biggest hockey card showcase twice a year.  I failed to make the fall expo which is usually the better of the 2.  I didn't really find any huge deals up there this year.  I took an 05-06 UD Bee Hive Auto of Sidney Crosby with me.  I intended on trading it for something cool or some cash.  I ended up trading it to a dealer for a Sidney Crosby autographed 8x10 and he gave me an extra $60.  I thought that was a pretty sweet deal.  I picked up some minor Carey Price cards while I was there as well.

Mason Raymond TTM Success

Mailed:  03/10/2010
Received:  05/03/2010
Days:  54
c/o:  TheVancouver Canucks

Great return from a great player.  The Canucks are in the middle of an awesome playoff run.  Hopefully they can keep it going against the high flying Chicago Blackhawks.  Bobby Lu and the boys have been looking pretty good so far.  Game 2 is tonight.

Ottawa Senators IP

A friend's wife was offered 200 level private box tickets for Game 6 between the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  She took them but had family in town for the weekend, so she gave me her ticket!!!  Anyway, the suite was awesome.  Right at centre ice in the 200 level.  We thought we would try to hound the Penguins again.  This turned up totally fruitless...again.  The Penguins are absolutely ridiculous it seems.  Their team security is insane and won't let anyone near them.  So, we went to the Scotiabank Place and figured we would hound the Senators on their way out of the morning skate.  Slowly, but surely the players came along.  Alfredsson and Spezza did not stop though.  Most of the rest of the team did though.  We also waited after the game to see if Alfie and Spezza would stop.  There had to be 50 people out there this time.  I knew there was no way either of those guys would be stopping.  I was right.  Only a small handful of players stopped after the game.  Here is what I got:

Pascal Leclaire signed 8x10.

Jesse Winchester, Brian Elliott and Zack Smith signed mini-helmet.

Matt Carkner, Jonathan Cheechoo, Zack Smith and Ryan Shannon.

Jared Cowan, Chris Campoli, Brian Elliott and Brian Lee.

Nick Foligno, Shean Donovan, Chris Phillips and Jesse Winchester.

Chris Campoli TTM Success

Mailed:  01/29/2010
Received:  04/26/2010
Days:  87
c/o:  The Ottawa Senators

I mailed 2 cards to Chris and just got them back.  He signed them with a black sharpie that looks like it was running out of ink.  Its funny that I got these today.  I got him in person on the weekend as I was up for the Pens/Sens playoff game.  More on that in the next post.

Alex Foster TTM Success

Mailed:  04/07/2010
Received:  04/26/2010
Days:  19 c/o:  The Toronto Marlies

Alex was limited to only 30 games this year due to injuries.  He did finish out the season at least.  Hopefully he comes out next season completely healthy for the Maple Leafs' training camp.

David Desharnais TTM Success

Mailed:  04/07/2010
Received:  04/23/2010
Days:  16
c/o:  The Hamilton Bulldogs

16 days for a guy that spent a bit of time with the Montreal Canadiens this year.  I am sure that he will be a bigger part of that team next year, once they clear some room for him.  I watched a game in Hamilton in February and he is definitely a stand out for them.

Kyle Calder TTM Success

Mailed:  03/10/2010
Received:  04/20/2010
Days:  41
c/o:  The Toronto Marlies

It has been a bumpy ride for Kyle over the last few years.  He had 14 games this year with the Ducks, and had 2 assists before they sent him down to the Toronto Marlies.  Right now, he is playing in the ECHL playoffs for the Bakersfield Condors and has a point a game.  He once had 59 points in a season in the NHL, so who knows, maybe he can work his way back in.