Larry Jeffrey

Mailed out: October 20, 2014
Returned: November 10, 2014
Return #97


Larry Jeffrey was a member of the Maple Leafs 1967 cup champions squad. He also played for the Red Wings, and Rangers before an automobile accident ended his career in 1969.

Pat Hickey

Mailed out: October 29, 2014
Returned: November 7, 2014
Return #94

In 1973 Pat Hickey was selected 18th overall by the WHA's Toronto Toros, and 30th overall by the NHL's New York Rangers. Hickey picked the WHA over the NHL, playing his first two seasons withe the Toros Hickey dominated with speed while becoming a top two way forward. In 1975 he would leave the WHA to join the New York Rangers, during the 1977-78 season Hickey netted a career high 40 goals. He went on to play with the Rockies, Leafs, Nordiques. He's currently an investment advisor in Hamilton, Ontario.

Joe Cirella

Mailed out: September 26, 2014
Returned: November 7, 2014
return # 92

Joe Cirella was a first round pick of the Colorado Rockies back in 1981, he would crack the roster and dress in 65 games for the Rockies that season as an 18 year old. The following season he was shockingly returned to junior, he would lead the Oshawa Generals to the Ontario Championship, and an appearance with in the Memorial Cup championship game. He would go on to play in 828 NHL games with the Devils, Nordiques, Rangers, Panthers, and Senators. Today he's an assistant coach for the OHL's Soo Greyhounds.

Guy Lafleur

Mailed out: October 24, 2014
Returned:  October 31, 2014 
return #87 - 7 days

Awesome return from Habs legend Guy Lafleur, ties the record for my fastest return coming back in 7 days

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Kris King

Mailed out: September 26, 2014
Returned: October 15, 2014
 return #77

Kros King racked up over 2000 penalty minutes over 14 seasons in the NHL, and was awarded the 1996 King Clancy trophy. Currently today Kris is the Senior VP of Hockey Operations for the NHL in Toronto.

Troy Mallette

Mailed out: Undocumented
Returned: October 10, 2014
Return 75

Troy Mallette played 9 seasons with 6 teams, primarily in a grinder role. His career came to an end in 1997 due to injuries, today he's currently a firefighter in Greater Sudbery.

Martin Biron

Mailed out: Undocumented 

Returned: August 17, 2014 

c/o TSN

I was watching Marty on TSN during the Spring, I really liked his analysis of the game and his overall personality. A light bulb went off that I must have his card somewhere and that I should mail it to him! Well I did just that, but I didn't write down the date I sent it out, and after the playoffs wrapped up on TSN I figured that I'd never see the card again. Today I grabbed my mail and noticed a Canadian permanent stamp, that was post marked from Buffalo where Biron resides, how lucky am I that they let that go through?!  

Dylan McIlrath

Mailed out: May 25, 2014

Returned: July 21, 2014

Included a letter 

c/o home return #41

If you watch the video from 2010 NHL Draft coverage on TSN when the New York Rangers drafted Dylan McIlrath 10th overall the analysts are stunned that the blue shirts used their selection on him. They felt that the Rangers were more than likely to pick up a Russian, or a defence man based on their previous first round picks. 

Give it a few years and when it's all said and done they wont be talking about how the Rangers could draft this guy over others, he's going to be a wrecking force, and if he can become better with the puck it's more than likely he'll be a Derian Hatcher kind of player. For now though, McIlrath is entertaining to watch in the minors while using his big body and heavy fists.

Rod Seiling

Mailed out: May 28, 2014
Returned: July 17, 2014
c/o Ontario Racing Commission return #40

Very cool return, after mailing this out I read that Rod Seiling left the Ontario Racing Commission so I figured these cards we lost for good until they showed up in my mail box today! Seiling played one game with the Leafs in 1962 before being sent down to the minors. In 1964 while still bouncing around the minors he was chosen to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics, soon after that he was traded to the New York Rangers.

He was a regular on the Rangers blue line for the next ten seasons, the St Louis Blues picked him up in the expansion draft however the Rangers were quick to trade attain his rights. He wore the Maple Leaf once again.  at the '72 Summit Series.

Mark Osborne

Mailed Out: June 23, 2014

Returned: July 15, 2014
return #38

Drafted by the Red Wings in 1980, Osborne made an impression during his rookie campaign tallying 67 points in 1981-1982. In 1983 the Wings sent Osbrone to the Rangers, where he played three and a half seasons before being traded once again to his hometown Maple Leafs. Gary Leemman, Ed Olczyk, and Mark made up the GEM line in Toronto. He's currently a hockey analyst with the Leafs Network.  

He signed my O Pee Chee card, and included the Rangers card as well as the personalized NHL alumni card. 

Harry Howell

Mailed out: May 28, 2014

Retuned: June 27, 2014

c/o home return #31

The longest serving Ranger of all time is Harry Howell, in 17 seasons he dressed in 1160 games for the Blue Shirts. Tiring to think about add in the rest of the seasons Howell played for the Oakland/California Seals, and LA Kings as well as 3 other seasons in the WHL. 

Howell took home the Norris trophy in 1967, he said that he was happy to win it because Bobby Orr would "own" it for some time to come. Eerily enough Orr took home the Norris the next 8 seasons. 

After finishing up his playing career tried his hand at coaching, after that he joined the Oilers as a scout. He finally had his name added to the cup when the Oilers won in 1990.

Bernie Nicholls

Mailed out: April 17, 2014 

Returned: March 6, 2014

c/o P.O Box return #17

Excited to find this little envelope in the box today as Bernie is one of my favourite players! Drafted in the 4th round Bernie wasn't expected to be the offensive threat he became with the Kings. His numbers exploded one Gretzky was brought in, scoring 70 goals and adding in 80 apples for 150 points in 79 games in 88/89. The next season the Kings made a push for the cup, they traded Nicholls away to the Rangers. He floated around the league after that, and his numbers never got to where they were when Gretzky was on his line but his leadership and willingness to adapt to coaches systems made him a key player. In 2012 he rejoined the Kings as a coaching consultant, they won the cup that season. I offered for him to keep the Rangers cards, he signed all of them.