Jiri Tlusty

Currently with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Acquired in-person October 26, 2011.

One would think that a former 13th overall pick from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft would be doing just fine now in the NHL...until you remember that it was Jiri Tlusty who was drafted 13th overall in 2006.  Maybe I should stop bashing some of these players...well...nah.  His signature borders on Cam Ward sloppiness.

Jeff Skinner

Acquired in-person October 26, 2011.

The top rookie from last season already has four goals and six assists in nine games so far this season and has made many already think that there will not be a sophomore slump for the 19-year old forward drafted seventh overall in 2010.  Let's hope that he never gets a Heatley smile.

Jay Harrison

Currently with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Acquired in-person October 26, 2011.

Jonathan Toews

Fan letter sent May 18, 2011.

3/3 Autographed cards received October 8, 2011.

Another great return from a Blackhawk (Marty Turco being the other)!!!  Despite notching zero goals and three assists in the 2010 Cup Final, Chicago's captain (the youngest to be named captain by a team in NHL history and the youngest to captain a Stanley Cup Champion) was still instrumental to ending the Blackhawks 49-year Cup drought, having led all players in points with 29 in the 2010 Playoffs.  He also notched a career-high 76 points and a plus-25 in 80 games played in the 2010-11 NHL Season.  The only problem I have is that I can only barely make out the "J" and "T" in his signature, although the "19" is legible...but I've seen worse.

Cam Ward Autographed Photo

Currently with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Acquired through the Carolina Hurricanes gift incentive program.

Kind of got lucky as I didn't know for several months who I got with my points from getting two 26-game plan season tickets with the Carolina Hurricanes. If you can't tell already I live fairly near Raleigh, NC, so a lot of my autographs will obviously be of Hurricanes players. I was really hoping for a Jeff Skinner autographed 8x10 photo, but Cam is my favorite player so I'm pretty pleased, although as Sal said, Ward's autograph really is sloppy.

Johnny Bower

Retired player.  Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

Purchased September 18, 2011.

This one I have some questions about.  It just doesn't quite look like some of his other autographs that I looked at online.  Can anyone tell if this is his signature or not?  I think I spent like $18 for all three cards that I got today, so no big deal if it isn't real.

Bobby Hull

Retired player.  Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

Purchased September 18, 2011.

Having played 24 seasons in the NHL and WHA, Bobby Hull's numbers are staggering.  610 goals and 560 assists in the NHL; 303 goals and 335 assists in the WHA.  One Stanley Cup.  You just never know when or if you will ever win a Stanley Cup (or another one having won his only Cup in his fourth NHL season).  Anyway, I was looking through the collection of autographed cards and this was one that stood out to me; another fairly cheap addition to my autograph collection.

Ed Belfour

Retired player.

Purchased at a Carolina Hurricanes preseason practice, September 18, 2011.

After winning the Vezina, Calder and Jennings Trophies in the same year (1990-91), Belfour went on to win 484 regular season and 88 postseason NHL games, winning the 1999 Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars.  Autographed card serial numbered 0546/1500.

Jaromir Jagr Second Attempt Success

Currently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fan letter sent May 17, 2011.

2/2 Autographed cards received September 17, 2011.

I had written to Jagr a few months prior to sending out this letter and got it returned to me unopened from some sports agent in California.  Well, I scoured through the Internet fan success posts on a few forums and found his team in the Czech Republic (this being before he signed with the Flyers).  So lo and behold less than a month before the season starts I receive a letter today with my name on it, albeit not in my handwriting and not my envelope that I had sent with the letter, a turnaround time of about four months from the Czech Republic, my first success overseas (woohoo!!!).  Both cards signed by Jagr.  Another 500+ goal scorer to add to my growing list of autographs!!!

Matt Duchene

Fan letter sent December 18, 2010.
1/1 autographed card received September 8, 2011.

Approx. nine-month turnaround for the Third Overall selection in 2009.  Duchene has already proven that he belongs in the NHL, improving 12 points from his rookie season in his sophomore campaign.  You hate to see a team like the Av's stumble the very next year after clinching a playoff spot and making everyone in the NHL think that the former stud of a franchise was on the rebound, but it happens to the best of them I guess.  Didn't really keep up with the Av's last year.  Letter and card sent to the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.