TTM Success! Gilles Gilbert, Don Cherry's favourite!

It's been awhile since I posted a ttm success, and they're piling up. Literally. So let's knock one out.

One of my faves growing up, was goalie Gilles Gilbert. The Bruins weren't that annoying yet. And in all of the goalie magazines that I begged my parents to buy when at Safeway always had full colour shots featuring Gilbert in a variety of cool poses.

I really miss those magazines.

Gilles is a gracious ttm signer. He always takes time for his fans. He signed three 8x10's and three cards for me.

Gilles makes a save with Bobby Orr and Don Marcotte looking on in the background. I think the North Star is Dan Maloney, but I haven't tried figuring it out yet.

According to Gilles' comments in the note he sent, he saved this shot and it went wide.

Works for me.

These shots are all from early in his career before he started adding stars to his mask. If you love goalie masks, you know what I'm talking about.

When my wife saw these, she exclaimed what a perfect signature he has, and she's right.

Apparently the crowd was late arriving for this one...

After a brief start in Minnesota, Gilles spent most of his career as a starter in Boston. The final two years were spent in Detroit. Not the Detroit you all know now..... the Detroit from the 70's and 80's... those two years did not do any favours to Gilles' career numbers.

Thanks Gilles!

It's Hall of Fame time again.... your 2103 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees...

As the title suggests, the 2013 class of the Hockey Hall of Fame was announced today. Rules mandate a maximum of four players and one person from the builders category may go in.

And that's just what we have.

 

First, we have the lock of the year.... Chris Chelios.

This former Atlanta Thrasher great won 3 Stanley Cups, 3 Norris Trophies as best defenceman, and made 11 All Star teams in 26 seasons.

Chris becomes the oldest member ever inducted into the Hall on his first year of eligibility. He is 51 years old. Yeah... he last played at 48 years of age.  

 

RC - 1984-85 OPC

Next, another defenceman, Scott Niedermayer.

Scott won 4 Stanley Cups, 1 Norris Trophy and 1 Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. He was named to 5 All Star games in his 18 seasons.

RC- 1990-91 Upper Deck

Here's one that had me puzzled... I really didn't think he was that good or deserving... but, I really didn't see him play that much in his prime.
Brendan Shanahan played 21 seasons in the NHL, winning 3 Stanley Cups and being named to 3 All Star games. No individual hardware. Never led the league in any category except for one year where he had the most shots. Meh. I'm sure he'll go in as a Whaler.

RC - 1988-89 OPC

I figured Danielle Goyette for this spot, and I was close. Her teammate, Geraldine Heaney.
Geraldine was one of the pioneers of women's hockey. Joining Team Canada in 1990, the first year for organized women's hockey, she won 7 World Championships, Olympic silver and gold medals while being named top defenceman three times.

RC- no idea. I'm showing a 194-95 Classic. I could tell you that was her RC and most of you would have no idea.... but I'm not like that. Okay I am... but not today.

and in the builders category, we have former coach, Fred Shero. Not many people know Fred played 145 NHL games for the Rangers in the late '40's. He's more known as a coach. Specifically for the Broad Street Bullies of the '70's.
Jack won 2 Stanley Cups and 1 Jack Adams trophy as best coach in 10 seasons.
Fred passed away in November of 1990.

RC- 1974-75 OPC

There you have the 2013 Hockey Hall of Fame class.... and once again.... no mention of anyone from the WHA.
Curious.

The difference between Toronto and Chicago...

originally I had titled this post "The difference between the Maple Leafs and the Blackhawks."
But I realized, and hoped to hell that the Toronto portion had nothing to do with the Leafs.

Some of you may have seen the Toronto Sun already, but with the release of what The 'Hawks organization published in the Boston Globe today, it must be brought up again.

First, I give you the Toronto Sun front page the day after the 'Hawks beat the Bruins for the Cup in Boston.

Stay classy, Toronto.

Now.... if you want to know what real class looks like........

Well done sirs....

I knew it! I just knew it!

that red necked cheap shotting country bumpkin is actually Dale from King of the Hill.

I'd always wondered where he came from..... anybody who's ever heard him speak knew he was too much of an idiot to be real.... now we know.

I found Gordie Howe at a used book store...

My wife and I spent last weekend doing stuff together. We haven't been able to spend a lot of time lately just the two of us, so we made the effort.

Aside from going hiking, trudging through antique (junk) stores etc... was a trip to a rather large used book store that neither of us had ever been to.

We spent some time perusing the shelves, and managed to find a few books we liked.

At the cash, I noticed a rather amateurish looking sign pinned up on the wall behind their desk a few feet away.

On a torn 8 x11 piece of paper, someone had written "Free Hockey Autograph with Hockey book Purchase."

Okay. Cool.

Me "excuse me, but is that sign still accurate?"

them "huh? oh.... yes, yes it is."

Me " and is the autograph of anyone in particular.... is it random...??"

them "No. It's of Gordie Howe."

Me  *blink blink*

Me "a real autograph of Gordie Howe? or a preprint?"

them "It's real. Signed in pen. You can get one by purchasing a book from the hockey section"

Me " and where might that be?"

them "over there." *points ------>

While my dear wife waits somewhat patiently... I wander over and start frantically looking through their hockey section. Somewhat small in size, I nevertheless come up with a copy of "The Habs" by Brian McFarlane for $6.

After paying, the teller hands me this....

On this card are autos of Gordie Howe, as well as his three sons, Mark, Marty, and Murray.

Frikkin' sweet.

The other side looks like this...

Apparently this was a series of video tapes, yes, video tapes, put out by the Howes in 1987. Despite being a "limited collector's edition" not all of the tapes were produced.
So some of the unused VHS covers remained unfolded and uncirculated. Somehow this bookstore got a bunch of them.

A nice little surprise at the used book store. I guess you'll never know what you might find out and about while shopping with your wife.

TTM Success - Norm Ullman, Hall of Famer.

I recently got back a successful autograph request from Hall of Famer, Norm Ullman.

Norm started his career with Detroit in 1955-56, and ended it with the WHA's Edmonton Oilers at the end of the 1976-77 season.
His NHL career with Detroit lasted 12 1/2 seasons before a blockbuster trade sent him to Toronto for the next 8 1/2 years.
In that trade, Detroit sent Ullman, Floyd Smith, Paul Henderson and Doug Barrie in exchange for Frank Mahovlich, Pete Stemkowski, Gary Unger and Carl Brewer.

Norm managed 490 goals and 739 assists in 1410 career NHL games. His last two years of pro hockey were spent in the WHA, recording 130 points in 144 games.

He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982

This is actually the second request Mr Ullman has returned. Last year I sent him four cards for him to sign.

I love adding pieces of living history to my collection. Photos like the ones above will always have a place in my home.
Thanks Norm.

What I took home from the National

well..... nothing. That's because I didn't go. I'm not one of the cool kids that gets to travel across the country for a card show.

However, I do know several people who did go. One of them, not to mention names (but he might be a certain Trevor Linden collector with blogger name of bamlinden) said he wouldn't mind doing me a favour........ and he hooked me up with a great piece for my collection.

a beauty of an 8x10 of former Habs 'tender, Andre Racicot. In their Stanley Cup winning year, Andre had a record of 17 wins, 5 losses and a tie while backing up Patrick Roy.
Andre was signing autographs at the show on Saturday.

A great photo with a cool inscription. Funny story about the inscription.... but it's one of those, you had to be there kinda things.

This autographed 8x10 brings me to 10 different current and former goalies who have worn the bleu, blanc, et rouge.

Only 67 more to go.

Some of those dead guys from the 1920's are going to be tough.

Thanks Brett!!!