Boston Pizza did not sponsor this event this year so the crew headed down to the Riverlanding Area in Saskatoon for the yearly autograph session for Jarret Stoll's fundraiser for the Royal University Hospital children's ward. We showed up early, sticking with my "Let's be 10th in line instead of 100th". We could have been easily 1st. But that's not cool with 100 kids running around. They set the tables and chairs up and we stood in line, about 15th, good enough. I was pleasantly surprised they set up about 20 chairs. Which means, most of the players would attend the autograph session. The players all arrived and met the local boy, Colby Armstrong who probably came from his house instead of the hotel. We planned out our attack so things did not get messed up. Colby was first so I got out my #9 for another Leafs jersey. He knows who I am by now so we had some small talk and I asked him to sign my #9 with the 'Twitter King' reference. Paul Bissonnette was two down from Colby and I would tell him to do the same. Colby loved the idea and signed. Ethan Morueau was next signing a Blue Jackets puck for me. Wow, is he a large man, hate to get hit on the ice by him. Biz Nasty 2.o was next, and yes he dropped an 'F' bomb, and yup lots of kids heard. He signed the #1 and added Twitter King also. The Twitter thing got down the line and all the guys got a laugh from it. Very cool...The next two players I would have loved to get but just never thought they'd show for it, Steve Ott and Mike Weber. Oh well just a hearty hand shake. Sheldon Brookbank was next and he's signed for me before so I never bothered with anything for him either. Scott Hartnell was next and he signed a #1 for me personalizing it. I had a large bag with stuff and it always seems the guys think I'm a dealer. That's why I think I almost always have it personalized. My wife was behind me getting some other stuff signed, she takes pics of the guys signing, again players often think she's selling the item. They never comment but dealers really kill the hobby IMO. Nick Schultz was next and he signed a Wild puck, chatted about Cory Sarich's golf tourney in Davidson for a bit. The man was next, Jarret Stoll. He signed my Kings jersey for me and I donated some cash for his charity. He always says, "Thanks for helping out." I kept going and a lady taped me on the shoulder and handed me a signed Stoll card with puck in a case for the donation, cool. Luke Schenn was sitting with Kieth Aulie. I handed Luke a Schenn jersey to sign and explained it was for a class field trip fundraiser to Europe. He said cool and handed it to Aulie. Aulie signed it too and Schenn tried to stop him because it was an auction item. He signed it and I just said, "At least he's a Leaf.." Oh well....My wife got a Schenn Team Canada jersey signed, turnout so nice...Carter Ashton signed a black #1 for me, said I thought hed stick with the team. Drew Doughty was towards the end and I just shook his hand, no jersey or puck to sign. I have three of both. :D I asked for a pic with Drew and he told me to come around, great guy. We came to Brayden Schenn, who was traded an hour before the autograph session. I felt bad for him, he looked shocked and upset. He signed a white on black #1 for me and I just said it was great watching play around here and I wished him the best. Now I'm not sure if this turns into a Flyers jersey or Canadians...Great Kid.....Brad Richardson was second to last and then Darcy Hordichuk was the last player. I grew up about an hour from him and played with Tyler Wright (Columbus Blue Jackets) from Kamsack, his hometown. We chatted for quite awhile and I asked about Kamsack. We just have too many great guys from Saskatchewan! We walked away and I notice more guys at the end of the last table. Clark MacArthur and Tyler Bozak showed up. We stood back in line but that was fine, I got pics with the guys I wanted while waiting. When we got to the Leafs, Clark had some small 5x7s and asked if I wanted one. Cool....
I was surprised to see what my awesome wife got signed after me. She got lots of pucks signed and another Stoll jersey, great gal this one! She asked Scott Hartnell for an 8x10 he was handing out to kids. Remember the rule sometimes for getting extras? Use the cute wife..Works every time. Here's the loot......
I was surprised to see what my awesome wife got signed after me. She got lots of pucks signed and another Stoll jersey, great gal this one! She asked Scott Hartnell for an 8x10 he was handing out to kids. Remember the rule sometimes for getting extras? Use the cute wife..Works every time. Here's the loot......
