Luke Schenn and Johnny Bower-Leafs Day!

I just received these in the mail from Frozen Pond this week. I sent the Schenn jersey in for the signing there earlier and the Bower #1 was from Bowers signing in March. This was the signing where Mr. Bower confirmed the send in jersey from johnnybower.net was authentic. Just to make sure though, I told them to get a #1 signed for me and if the other jersey was not real, I could just trade the #1 over. Luckily, both Bower jerseys are real and that makes the Bower jersey count; 4. The Schenn jersey count; 4 also.

Well, That Might Rank Up There....

$145 for a signed Joe Sakic puck from Pacific Coast Memorabilia. $50 steak knives came with it too so not a bad deal.

Guess what this is?

Get in line to say I suck;
Wayne Gretzky's Team Canada 1987 Championship Ring on my finger, Walter told me to put it up to my face like that. He mentioned the four diamonds on the top signify the Canada Cup held every 4 years.

Tonight we attended the Strongfield Elks Charity Sports Dinner. The guest speaker was the most famous hockey dad, Walter Gretzky. Other highlights were Mike McCullough plus the World Silver Medalist Junior Curlers from the area. Both Mike and Walter were already mingling as we walked in. Walter spoke to everyone in the place, all 200 guests. He signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who asked. He needed to see the picture before you could walk away though, had to pass his test. He also staged the picture telling our friend where to stand. He signed my Gretzky jersey, making 4 signed Gretzky jerseys.LOL...
He had pre-signed a lot of little cards then just personalized the name. I told him the story about meeting Wayne and talking to him about teaching history. I showed him the pic of Wayne and I and he laughed. I then got the Gretzky history quiz. I got 50%...2 out of 4. He took my name and address, get back in line now.
He told me to write down 5 people including myself and they would receive signed Wayne Gretzky 8x10's within the month. Wow...
I am now dog arse tired so more stories, pics and some videos tomorrow.

Colby Armstrong Team Canada Jersey

Look on the right side, Henderson jersey pics added today!

I sent a number into AJ Sports before Xmas and finally got around to getting it sent back. I have met Colby numerous times but thought a Colby Team Canada jersey would be, you know, kinda cool. Anyway, this was signed 2007 WC, thought that was a nice touch.

Paul Henderson's Team Canada 1972 Jersey

The Paul Henderson's Team Canada 1972 Jersey Tour was in Saskatoon today. The tour is funded by Smart Centres owned by Mitchell Goldhar and is traveling across Canada to share the jersey with Canadians. I was there a few minutes after it opened to be welcomed at the door by a Tour Worker. He was welcoming and held the door open for me. The first area was a small room which had a few Team Canada items. The first was a framed Team Canada 1972 Card set. This is where is got very cool, very quick. The whole card set was signed by Team Canada 1972 Team. This was owned by Mr. Henderson and on loan to the Tour. I was impressed by the entrance and the lady offered me a 1972 Goal Scarf and button. Hmmm, very cool.

I went through the curtain to see the Holy Grail of sports collectibles and sports memorabilia.
I honestly was at a loss for words at first. We are all collectors and here was perhaps the top piece of sports memorabilia in Canada. I took pictures of the displays, it was hard to believe the entire display area was on the back of a semi truck. There was lots of room to walk and even sit down. I overheard one of the workers tell a patron Mr. Henderson would not sign autographs. They were afraid people would be lined up around the block in each city and loose the appeal of the jersey. Eeek, that sucks. That would have made my top 3 for sure but oh well....
They announced that Mr. Henderson would be showing up at 1:00pm and we could just hang out and wait. So, I sat at the bench in front of his jersey and took pictures, yes for 20 mins, I took close to 50 pictures of the same thing. But, well worth it.
I had my back turned to the jersey and heard Mr. Henderson's voice. He showed up just after 1:00 laughing that his 6 concussions was the reason why he was late. He told stories and took questions from the audience. I asked him if, they were ever scared if they had any success while playing in Moscow. He said they were not scared but nervous. They were locked down at night and had to hand their keys in to the desk at night. He also mentioned that he thought the whole area Team Canada was in was bugged so they never offered anything but some, as Mr. Henderson said, "They'd think I was a great lover!"
I will post a few more stories and post all of the picture tomorrow. And no autographs, but answer me this; should I be mad? I don't feel disappointed at all. Would you be?
A picture with Paul Henderson with his jersey while you're wearing a Team Canada jersey.

Joe Joe---> Got Him!

Well let's spill the beans about my last two weeks. I was playing in a rec hockey tournament two weeks ago. In the first 5 mins, I pushed some player and felt a pop in my right bicep. I knew I hurt it but played the rest on the game. By the end of the game, I could not shoot the puck 4 feet. I came off the ice and my bicep was bulged and off center. I showed my wife and she took me to the hospital. I tore my bicep just under my shoulder. I have all the tests they could do to find out no surgery, it's the John Elway tear. He won 2 Super Bowls with the same injury. It will take 3-4 months and I will get 90% of the strength back with time. It hurts like heck and I just have to deal with it. Here's the segway!

Today I had a doctor's apt with my arm and when I was finished I drove downtown to try and get Sakic. This is the same event we got Gretzky at last year. I was headed to the hotel and saw a white limo drive by me. Our city has 250, 000 people but that's Sakic, I know it. I turned around and headed to TCU. I was across the street when I saw Sakic walk into the building. I was about 20 secs late. I ran into the building but missed him. I ended up bumbing into Darian Durant in the waiting area. Only in Saskatchewan. I actually said to him, "Hi Darian, you've signed lots for me before so just wanted to say hi!" He laughed and shook my hand.

John Elway was the other speaker at the event but I was not really concerned but thought this has to be karma helping me out a little. I waited as the VIP's walked in with their jerseys and footballs. Hah, no one had silver sharpies, I had a pocket full...Evil laugh....

The emcee walked by and people, I recognized him but did not know his name. He's a sports comedian, name slips my mind! Found it...

Jim Ralph

I asked him if there was any chance to get Joe to sign. He said yah, he's a good guy, so just hang around. So I sat and waited. About 25 mins later, he came out and asked what I had. I said a Team Canada jersey and he said he would be right back and walked out the door. I knew what that meant. 20 secs later Joe Sakic walked out to head to the washroom just around the corner. I caught him and asked him for an autograph. He said, "Sure, get it ready and I'll be back." No shame when your after a future HOF'er. And no I would never enter for an autograph.LOL!

He signed for my on the '9' and I said I always thought of him when I use my snow blower. He laughed and said, "Oh thanks." I said "No for what not to do." He laughed and walked off. I said thanks so much and he said "No problem."

Kinda a dumb comment but hey, it was a long day. This may take priority to finish ahead of the Schenn Canada jersey.

No Elway but that's ok. But I left the funny part out.

I had a half hour to kill before my doc apt so I headed to the mall. I saw 2 guys with Rider jersey and my radar was spinning. I walked to Sport Chek and bought a football, they're here somewhere. There was a marathon radio event and 3 Riders were signing for people and taking pledges. Cool ball signed by Gene Makowsky, Jeremy O'Day, and Mike McCullough. And that's my story...

Almost Done Another Frame, Eberle!

I am done with buying frames for my jerseys. This is the second one I finished on my own and I love it. It's not quite done yet, I need some matting done and then I will seal it up and put it on a wall. I won't tell you what the matting will have, but I can guarantee, you will love it. But, this is an Oiler frame, hmmm, my other homemade frame has another Oiler in it, hmmm. And I'm a Flames Fan? Yah, I have a double frame that just needs some glass which will hold a Regehr and Iggy jersey, that's next on the list. You collectors out there, the whole Oak frame cost me, $50 for the glass, $15 for the wood and $5 for the stain. These things sell for $500 in stores.

Saskatoon VS Swift Current

A rather snowy night but another successful mission completed. We were a little late getting to the game and we knew tickets would not be an issue, CUC holds close to 15000 people and the Blades draw maybe 4-5000 per game. There was a buzz in the air as we stood in line and it was known that Schenn was a scratch with his shoulder. There was a ceremony for Schenn and Hamilton before the game and both the Team Canada players dropped the ceremonial puck for minor hockey players. Schenn was signing after the second period so we were able to watch most of the game. Walking around the arena after the first period, my head turned, yah there's Rich Sutter, Lukas Sutter's dad. I paused for a minute and thought 2 pucks last year and then no pucks for Brayden to sign. I really wanted to get Brayden on a Team Canada puck, and that's all I had with my jerseys. Oh well...
We were 20th in line behind many minor hockey players, we stood in line at the 12:00 min mark of the second period and they're were maybe 100 people in line within 15 mins or so. Brayden is Brayden, a down to earth, laid back, local kid. He spoke with the people, signed whatever they wanted and took some pictures. We got to the front and I asked Brayden to sign my jersey number and personalize it. He said,"Sure" and yet again, I got a "All the Best" inscription on my jersey number by the 2011 WLC MVP. My wife got the black signed of another Team Canada jersey with silver maker and my Team Canada puck. She asked him for a picture of him and he agreed. This easily could be misconstrued as a proof pic but he is who is is, cool. Another perk of the cute wife thing maybe too. Anyway, here's the loot.



Man, it was my wife's decision to get it signed in the black with silver instead of with black on the red, love it!

Oh CANADA!!!

Being witness to last year's Gold Medal game in Saskatoon, tonight was a great payback. I am not surprised at all the kids pulled it off against Team USA. The TSN guys all claimed and hinted the US had a better team and would win the game. The legacy this tourny has created is awesome, Crosby, Toews, Hall, Eberle, Gretzky, yah it all starts here. But no one from the TSN Crew mentioned one thing, we are Canadian and this is our game!

OH CANADA!!!! DOUGHTY JERSEY

SportChek had these for $49.99, had to jump at it quick. Notice the GOLD 2010 INSCR....Oh Yah!
This makes 3 Doughty jerseys now. I am glad he's a buddy of Stoll's, so maybe his JR team next year.

Leeman, Polonich, Steen, Valiquette, Fluery and Probert, yes Probert

Tonight was the annual Battle of the Badges in town. Every year NHL'ers show up to raise money for the Saskatoon Crisis Nursery. It is not a upper level event if you catch my drift so the merchandise is usually lower end. The players usually vary, last year was the putz Ronning, Igor Kravchuk and Billy Smith. This year's group brought us one of my favorites Gary Leeman, local favorite Dennis Polonich, Winnipeg Jet Alumni Thomas Steen and Leaf Alumni, Jack Valiquette. I picked up my pucks to get signed but was a little ticked, I wanted Leeman on a Leafs jersey but I could not get the number kit in time. So the plan was a few pucks and some odds and ends from the merchandise booth. I always spend a few bucks there. I knew 1964-65 Stanley Cup Champion Gary Peters would be around so I had a Habs puck waiting. I caught him in the hallway and he showed my his new Cup ring for the Habs Alumni from the early Cup years. We chatted for a bit and he allowed me to wear his ring, cool. My finger did burn awhile after, get it? He was really nice and explained the parts of the ring. I spent some money at the booth and got some new and cool items. Look what I found, a signed Bob Probert mini stick with Theo Fluery, I had to have it! RIP BOBBY.....But who is the middle signature? Anyone? I have no idea....

I waited until he end of the first period to catch the guys and saw Polonich talking on his cell phone. I motioned with my hand for an autograph and he nodded yes, and pointed for me to go in the dressing room. I said I wanted him and said I would wait til he was done. When he was finished on the phone, the took me into the room. This was different, this was my 5th or 6th time there and the players always dressed with the other guys. This year all the NHL'ers were in one room. I walked in to see Steen and Leeman on one side and Polonich and Valiquette and the other. I mentioned that I felt like a kid with these guys and they just smiled. Steen signed an Oldtimer puck and signed it JETS, cool. Polonich signed my Wings puck and I walked over to Leeman and asked if he remembered skating with me last March with Probert. He smiled and asked if I had a Oldtimers jersey on. I knew he was honest when he said he did. I told him how said it was to hear of Bob passing away, Leeman was almost in tears and I apologized for bringing it up. He said it was fine, they were talking about it that morning too. He did attend Bob's funeral and told me about it, its no secret what the funeral was like but out if respect for Bob, I won't repeat what Leeman told me, sorry. I did tell Leeman about me telling people of Bob making sure every kid on the ice that day had an autograph, scanning the ice with a check list in his head. He smiled and patted my shoulder and said, "Thank you for doing that for Bob." I felt bad for bringing it up but wanted him to know what I thought of Bob, a great person, no question. Jack introduced himself to me and I responded with my name and he asked if I had played with Gary. I laughed and said no, we just met while skating before the Oldtimer game in February, to hear Gary overhear the conversation and explained how he 'knew' me, the skate the the kids and big kids. We chuckled about that one. I thanked the guys and headed out. Man, I could sit and yap with Leeman for hours, great guys. Polonich actually gave me a program to get signed but I said I had some pucks. Great guy too.

Brayden Schenn Heroes and Prospects Auto Card

Oh yah another one. I read Brayden hurt his knee this week and was flown to LA to see Kings doctors. Luke told me Brayden was in LA for most of the summer training so hope he heals quick!

Bower and Schenn?

Remember Autograph Karma? Colby Armstrong IP

MORE IMAGES IN MY IMAGE GALLERY

Our town's TSN Kraft Day was this afternoon. Dan O Toole and Jay Onrait taped a live broadcast of Sports Centre during the 2010 Kraft Celebration Tour at our local regional park. People voted and our pool won a $25,000 upgrade from Kraft and TSN taped Sports Centre from the park. There were at least 1000 people at the park to take in the presentation of the cheque along with numerous activities for kids. The park is about 1 block from our house so we walked down and noticed the TSN tent. Man, I have the coolest wife, she looks over and says, "Look, there's Colby."

Sure enough, Colby Armstrong was standing at the tent. As I panned the tent, Riley Armstrong, Logan and Shay Stephenson (they're from here and their dad is our mayor Bob Stephenson (7 games with the Hartford Whalers in 1979), Logan Pyett and a few others I did not recognize. I walked over to Colby and said, "Hi".

Colby recognized me right away and asked what I was doing here. He asked if I was from here and I said I actually teach in town. I told him I wanted to get him on a Leafs jersey but did not have a #20 but had a white #9. He laughed as I said I would be right back, I ran up the hill, about a 6* incline for 50 meters and grabbed my #9. I made my way back down and Colby signed it for me. I asked him to personalize it as usual, just adds to it I think. I missed him on a Leafs jersey in July but got him on his new #9.
The broadcast began and the Onreit and O Toole involved the crowd for most of the show. I had a hunch Colby might come for this but forgot. He was at our local Folkfest last weekend and Colby actually said he played with junior with Shay Stephenson so the families are good friends. He said Bob had asked him to come down and have some fun, sign some autographs and catch up with some old friends. I chatted with Colby about the Leafs, Toronto and steak. Follow him on Twitter, 'armdog'
One of the best, people, one of the best...Yikes, GO LEAFS GO!

Luke Schenn Day II

I was really surprised to chat with Luke and realize he is just like Brayden. I would say Luke is a little more reserved. He gets a bad rap in the media, he is a great guy and will chat with fans, take pictures and sign autographs.

2009-2010 BAP

I really like the ITG card, very cool!

Colby Armstrong

How can you not love this guy, local guy, hard working and just a blast to chat with. He is not a friend of mine by any means but this is how Colby treats his fans. My wife asked me what we were chatting about, I haven't a clue, I was chatting with Colby Armstrong! I have met both Schenn and Armstrong now and there is a buzz about Toronto this year. I wish the boys a great season!