Mike Ridley

Mailed out: September 15, 2014

Returned: January 23, 2015

Time in mail: 130 days

Signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent Mike Ridley looked like a steal for the blue shirts posting a 65 point rookie campaign, that was capped off by being named to the NHL All Rookie Team. His best season came during 1988 1989 with the Caps, he put up 89 points, and made his only NHL All Star appearance. He scored the first goal at Vancouver's Rogers Arena, formerly General Motors Place.

Garry Galley

Mailed out: November 24, 2014

Returned: January 15, 2015

Time in mail: 52 days

c/o CBC HNIC

Garry Galley started out at playing for Bowling Green State University, where he was named an NCAA All American, and to the CCHA All Star Game. During his NHL career he played in two ALL Star Games, after retiring Galley became a fixture on sports radio show, today you can hear him on CBC's HNIC. 

John Druce

Mailed out: undocumented

Returned: undocumented

John Druce put up a few modest seasons in the minors before joining the Capitals in the NHL, continuing his modest game. During the 1990 NHL playoffs Druce lit it up, racking up 14 goals helping push the Capitals to the Semi Finals.

Chris Chelios

Mailed out: December 3, 2014

Returned: January 12, 2015 

Time in mail: 40 days

c/o Red Wings

Hall of Famer Chris Chelios is considered one of the greatest Americans to play the game, appearing in 11 tournaments for USA Hockey. He captained team USA to silver at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics.

Jeff Hackett

Mailed out: September 5, 2014

Returned: January 5, 2015

Time in mail: 122 days

Originally drafted by the Islanders goalie Jeff Hackett was claimed by the Sharks during the expansion draft. After two seasons, and 13 wins Hackett was dealt to the Blackhawks where he back up Ed Belfour for a number of seasons. Hackett also suited up for the Canadiens, Bruins, and Flyers before calling it a career after 500 NHL games. Jeff was nice enough to include two extra cards, along with autographing the center card for my set. 

Mike Peluso

Mailed out: November 24, 2014

Returned: January 5, 2015 

Time in mail: 42 days

In order to stick in the NHL Mike Peluso was encouraged to fight, and that's what he became known for. During the 91-92 season Peluso racked up 406 penalty minutes. He won a cup with the New Jersey Devils, and retired in 1997 after suffering a spinal cord injury. Currently he's a scout for the Edmonton Oilers. 

Dale Hawerchuk

Mailed out: undocumented

Returned: undocumented

c/o Barrie Colts

Dale Hawerchuk had an outstanding junior career picking up Rookie of the Year honours in his first season; and  QMJHL First Team All Star,Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year, a Memorial Cup title, and Memorial Cup MVP in his second season. With these achievements the Winnipeg Jets selected him first overall in 1981, in his rookie season with the Jets Hawerchuk lead the team to a 48 point turn around from the previous season, while making an All Star game appearance, and taking home the Calder Trophy. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.   

Jocelyn Lemieux

Mailed out: undocumented 

Returned: undocumented

c/o RDS

A thicker than normal envelope turned up in the mail, upon opening it I found 12 cards signed by former player turned RDS analyst Jocelyn Lemieux. I had only mailed out this card to Jocelyn for my set, he returned it signed along with duplicates of other cards. 

Jeff Reese

Mailed out: October 29, 2014

Returned: December 29, 2014

Time in transit: 61 days

c/o Flyers Skate Zone

Drafted by the Maple Leafs Jeff Reese was eventually dealt to the Calgary Flames as a part of the Doug Gilmour deal. He holds the record for most points by a goalie in a game, picking up 3 assists against San Jose February 10, 1993. After retiring Reese joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as their goalie coach, winning a cup with the club in 2004. 

Robert Cimetta

Mailed out: June 23, 2014
Returned: December 15, 2014

Drafted 18th overall by the Leafs in 1988 Robert Cimetta is better known for being in the Twin Towers on 911. Cimetta would only play 103 NHL games, bouncing between the minors before playing out his career in Europe.

You can read about Cimetta surviving the 911 attacks here:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/13360-Backchecking-Surviving-911-gave-former-NHLer-Rob-Cimetta-a-new-outlook-on-life.html

Mike Lalor

Mailed out: November 24, 2014
Returned: December 15, 2014

Undrafted Mike Lalor worked his way up to the show, winning the American Hockey leagues Calder Cup before getting his chance in the NHL. He would win the cup the following season as a member of the 1986 Montreal Canadiens. Lalor had stints in St Louis, Washington, Winnipeg, San Jose, and Dallas before calling it a career.

Bob Carpenter

Mailed out: November 24, 2014
Returned: December 9, 2014

Selected 3rd overall by the Washington Capitals in 1981 Bob Carpenter was projected to be the next big super star of the NHL, he was the first ever American hockey player to be featured on the front of Sports Illustrated. He would put up 3 solid 60 point campaigns with the Caps before blowing up and putting up a 53 goal season. After a falling out with Capitals coach Carpenter would be moved to New York, would in turn trade him again that season to Los Angeles. He would sign with Boston, reinventing himself into a strong two way forward, helping lead them to a cup final appearance.
Carpenter would win the one cup as a player, and two more as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.

Kevin Todd

Mailed out: November 24, 2014
Returned: December 9, 2014

After a strong junior career with the Prince Albert Raiders Kevin Todd suffered an injury during his draft season that resulted in him plummeting multiple rounds. At 129th overall the Devils selected Todd, they would let him play a couple more seasons in the WHL before developing some more in the minors. He would win the American Hockey Leagues top scorer award, as well as MVP award , and with that Todd would finally get his shot at the big league. After one strong season in New Jersey the Devils would trade him to Edmonton, he would have stints in Chicago, LA, and Anaheim before moving overseas to play in Europe. After just one season Todd suffered a career ending neck injury.

Mike Craig

Mailed out : October 29, 2014
Returned: December 9, 2014

Mike Craig played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals alongside Eric Lindros, he would go on to win a Memorial Cup with the club, as well as back to back gold medals at the World Juniors with Team Canada. The North Stars drafted him 28th overall in 1989, he would appear in 423 NHL games, and have stints in the minors as well as over in Europe. In 2002 Craig played once again for Team Canada, this time at the Spengler cup, they would go on to win the tournament over host HC Davos.

Ron Sutter

Mailed out: October 29, 2014
Returned: December 8, 2014

Ron Sutter is the youngest of the famous Sutter brothers, as well as the twin of Rich. Drafted 4th overall by the Flyers in 1982; where he would spend the next 8 seasons including a stint as captain, and getting the chance to play with his brother Rich. He would have stops in St Louis, Quebec, Long Island, Boston, San Jose, and Calgary before calling it a career. Most interestingly Ron was coached by his older brother Darryl while in San Jose. I love Rons answer to my question!

Carey Wilson

Mailed out: November 24, 2014
Returned: December 3, 2014
 return # 118

Before playing his first ever NHL game Carey Wilson played in the Western Hockey League, the NCAA, the Liiga over in Europe, and for the Canadian International team. Wilson finally debuted with Calgary Flames in 1983, where he scored his first NHL goal on his second shift, and first shot of the game.

Scott Arniel

Mailed out: September 16, 2014
Returned: December 3, 2014
Return #117

Scott Arniel played a handful of games in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League over a single season before making the switch to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues Cornwall Royals.  He would go on to play three seasons, racking up 153 points and winning the Memorial Cup during the 1981 season. The Jets would take notice and draft Arniel 22nd overall in the 1981 draft. He would play for the Jets, Sabres, and Bruins before calling it a career and going into coaching.

Paul MacDermid

Mailed out: Undocumented
Returned: November 26, 2014
return #111

Drafted by the Whalers it took Paul MacDermid four seasons of bouncing in the minors to catch on with Hartford full time. MacDermid played in 960 for the Whalers, Jets, Capitals, and Nordiques racking up 258 points, and 1303 penalty minutes before a back injury ended his career.

Craig Wolanin

Mailed out: November 5, 2014
Returned: November 24, 2014
return # 109

The third overall pick of the  1985 draft Wolanin was drafted for his blue chip style of play. He would have stops in New Jersey, Quebec, Colorado, Tampa Bay, and Toronto over 12 seasons. Wolanin won the Stanley Cup in 1996 with Colorado. This is the 50th card I've collected signed for my 1991 1992 O Pee Chee set.

Devils In Person

I took the day off today to try and track down the Blackhawks on their off day in Edmonton with hopes they'd be in a good mood coming off a win in Calgary last night. While on my way to the hotel I realized that the Devils were also in town, so I grabbed a Jaromir Jagr card from my 91-92 O Pee Chee set for just in case.



I got down to the first hotel where the Hawks were, their bus pulled up dropped a few guys off and they took off for what I assume was lunch. Johnny Oduya was one of the only players to stay at the hotel and get his own cab, I hollered to Mr Oduya that I only had one card could he please sign it. I thought maybe I'd caught his attention, until he shook his head no and jumped into the waiting cab. That was the extent of my Blackhawk hunting for the day. 

I returned to the Devils hotel because Jagr had told fans he would sign when they left for the game, after an hour and a half of waiting I had some nice Damon Severson, Adam Henrique, Jordan Tootoo, and Adam Larsson signatures on my scratch pad.

Finally Jagr came out, to 75 chanting fans who quickly surrounded the legend. I got jumped in front of unfortunately, and just when I figured I was out of luck I happened to be right in Mr Jagrs way back to the bus. He quickly slapped down JJ on my card, not the greatest signature, but still one of the hardest guys to get slapped something down on my card!