Welcome to my obsession, this is my blog to showcase my sports memorabilia collection. All the autographs are 'in-person' which makes it more interesting! Some great NHL'ers are from our area and come 'home' in the spring. Feel free to use this site for reference for your autographs. I am not an expert but all my stuff is "in-person" so it can be a great reference point. And please drop me a comment!

My YouTube Channel

I always have my video camera on, have a look at my YouTube Channel. Click Here for some interesting sports stories and videos. Mike Babcock Day videos in there! Just added, Johnny Bower Videos!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Getzlaf IP-Signed Jersey!

Chris Getzlaf, from the Saskatchewan Roughriders was in town along with Running Back Neil Hughes to sign autographs and meet the fans at our trade show. I am super sick with pneumonia so the best wife in the world went down to attend to business. The line was not too long but while waiting, she met an older man with a neat jersey. He told her the story of how his son met Jason Clarmont of the Riders in the winter. Most of the Riders have winter jobs in Regina so it's very common to come across some of them doing mostly professional jobs; Clarmont owns a real estate company in Regina. He gave the gentleman this;
A retro signed Rider jersey






look real close to this pic, save it, zoom in on his right hand. Grey Cup Ring!


These will be custom Rider jerseys, as usual. The Makowsky jersey is almost done. I really don't want to get into Rider jerseys, too expensive. $90 a jersey that never goes on sale and never on eBay. No one sells their jerseys. Durant is the only exception to this now. And he is easy to get...







My camera hates florescent lights, steady shot, blurry pic.


She bbm me with the message; "Done".
Cool...

Friday, April 15, 2011

More Walter Gretzky



The girls are Team Canada's Team and the World Junior Curling Championship,this year's Silver Medalist and Mike McCullough.

The thing I planned with Walter Gretzky was to bring up history with him. After all, that's what Wayne told about his dad; he loves history. The dinner was very informal and as stated before Walter was the host, he mingled with everyone. I managed to talk to him before dinner and had the pic of Wayne and I to show Walter. I said exactly what Wayne said, "You should talk to my dad, he knows everything about history." Walter looked at our picture and he started talking history. He was as passionate about it as I was, I teach it for a living. I commented on Wayne being a very classy man and he did a great job with him. He told me two or three stories about Wayne and I just smiled. He thanked me for saying that to him about Wayne, saying not many would have done that for him. He looked at the picture again and asked if he should sign it, I said that would be great. He shook my hand and continued on his way. That was a 15 min conversation with Walter Gretzky. My wife said he was really taken with me from that point. He came over to our table 2 times to check on us and ask us questions. She figured I made an impression on him and that's why he said he would send me some signed pictures of Wayne.
He was a comedian when he spoke, very funny. But someone at our table wondered why he only told a few stories about Wayne. After his brain aneurysm, he remembers nothing about Wayne's career.

A Flames Day, Gotta Love 'Em!



Today's mail brought many things, all Flames related.

Craig Conroy Signed Team USA Jersey
Jamie Lundmark's Game Worn jersey


I almost never buy autographs, lord knows I have too many already but when you collect a player and know their autograph, you can make a safe purchase.
Theo Fleury signed #4, my wife wanted a Flames jersey and both Fleury jerseys I have are actually Team Canada.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

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.

Check Back Tonight for A Really Cool Post...

Tis the season, check back later tonight....

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Trip to the Local Hobby Shop, GARBAGE, Kinda...

My trip to my fav hobby shop yesterday made me realize a few things. The UD Sp Game Used is GARBAGE! Yes, many packs later, I have never pulled an auto from a pack. I bought 3 yesterday and this was my loot. GARBAGE! So walking around the store I came across these fine items to add to my collection. Brayden plays his junior in town so I flipped this over to see the COA was from the Saskatoon Blades. $40...Cool. The Rider mini-helmet was a little more cash but Andy Fantuz is now a Bear so these items are going to be tough to find very soon. Now the funny thing, collectors are competitive people but wow...A fellow in the hobby shop was shooting his mouth off about the Schenn brothers. They claimed they had the best Schenn collection in town. Hmm, want to compare Gretzky jerseys collections too buddy....I just laughed and walked away....











Monday, March 21, 2011

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.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Check Back Sunday Night for a Huge Surprise!

If you thought anything I have got in the last year has been cool, this might be top 3. Trust me, check back Sunday and no hints!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wow, A Very Cool Night...A Guy Name Bower....

We attended the Oldtimer Game tonight and wow, a very cool night. The pregame public skate brought out Gary Leeman and Bernie Nicholls. They skated with people, signed autographs and chatted with everyone. I asked Bernie for a pic and to sign and puck and he was more than happy to oblige. I chatted with Bernie and asked him a few questions about what he has been up to. He mentioned he was at Gretzky's Fantasy Camp three weeks ago and he is a ready to go moose hunting soon. He is a down to earth guy, very cool to chat with.

We headed up to grab our seats and were pleasantly surprised with someone we ran into.
Theo signed and took pics with about 15 people. He looks very happy with his life now. I grew up in the town next to Theo and was buddy's with his brother growing up. I mentioned this to Theo and he said that Teddy was upstairs. I went up to find him and we chatted for about 15 mins. I bought the Theo Team Canada photo for $20.
Good deal.
I was not prepared to buy a $120 Oldtimer jersey again, so I made sure I got all the things signed that I brought.


Top R-L Igor Kravchuk, Bryan Trottier, Val Bure Theo Fleury, Bernie Nicholls, Val Bure Trottier Card
Hey, I am being a jerk now...Here's the good stuff.....


This was really cool to have Mr. Bower in attendance. He signed for a charge though, a little step but I finally got my own Bower jersey signed in person. I have 4 signed Bower jerseys now, only 1 signed in person. I mentioned I met him in Spiritwood and he smiled and said how much fun that was. So, $40 to get a signed Johnny Bower jersey when he's sitting right in front of you, would you do it? Yah, I didn't even blink....


Signed Theo Fleury Team Canada Jersey (no nameplate yet though)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Some Items Have to Go!

I am cleaning out my closet, some items are now up for auction if you are interested. I now have almost too much. I hate to do this but I still have a stack of about 15 signed numbers so some of jerseys, photos and helmet have to go!
Doug Gilmour Leafs jersey
Wendel Clark Signed Leafs Helmet
Gagner/Cogliano signed photo
Theo Fleury Signed Book
LOTS!
http://shop.ebay.ca/kcsummer2004/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Gene Makowsky Signed CFL Football and Rider Jersey







This time of year is usually -40 with the wind and yes there are snow banks as high as my deck. But you can also count on our trusty Saskatchewan Roughriders to attend community events all over Saskatchewan. Today, Gene Makowsky, Grey Cup Champ 2007, made an appearance at a cattle booth to sign autographs. Gene is from Saskatoon and is a trained teacher with a B.Ed Degree, the same as me. He subs in the off season and is a real pleasure to chat with. I went to high school and university with Gene, never spoke to him but there was some 800 students at my high school. I mentioned to him a few years ago that we went to high school and university and both are teachers. No longer was the conversation about the CFL football but school dynamics. I got a football signed by Geno and a few other Riders three weeks ago and he remembered the meeting. I do always mention the teaching thing and he it triggers his memory. Today was not different, he called me by name and we chatted again about teaching and he signed my jersey and football. I am not crazy about where he signed it but oh well. Gene is a great guy and it's always neat to chat with him.
Now I hope you finish reading this blog entry, April 9, we're having supper with Gretzky, Walter Gretzky.