Tim Nedin

Sent: 9/20/11
Received: 12/30/11
Time: 101 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989 Star Elizabethon Twins, 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 Classic Best
Item Received: 1989 Star Elizabethon Twins, 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 Classic Best.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Tim Nedin made quite an impression after signing as the Twins' 21st round draft pick in 1989.  At Elizabethton in the Appalachian League, the hard-throwing lefty went 6-2 with a 1.58 ERA and struck out 102 batters in 74 innings.  In his first full season at Kenosha the next year, he had a hard luck 3-13 record, but still finished with a respectable 3.39 ERA and continued striking out more than a batter per inning (144 whiffs in 140 innings this time).  His production declined as he climbed the minor league ladder, though, and after one game for Fort Myers in 1992, his pro career was over.  For a couple years, though, it appeared the Twins might have a late-round steal on their hands.

Marek Zidlicky

Sent: 2/19/11
Received: 12/28/11
Time: 312 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Update Retro, 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Update Retro, 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
On the same day that I received a return from Marco Scandella and wrote of the Wild's young blue line, I received a return that I sent last season to Marek Zidlicky.  While it's true that the play of the young Wild defenders has been a major factor in their early success this year, the team is still dead last in the league in defenseman scoring.  If they are going to make serious playoff noise, they need a healthy and productive Zidlicky.  He for all his defensive deficiencies, he is still the most talented and experienced offensive player on the unit.  He has dealt with injuries all season and is still looking for his first goal of the year.  A strong second half from him will go a long way in determining the Wild's playoff position.

Marco Scandella

Sent: 11/10/11
Received: 12/28/11
Time: 48 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2009-10 In The Game Heroes & Prospects, 2010-11 Victory
Item Received: 2009-10 In The Game Heroes & Prospects, 2010-11 Victory.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
While Minnesota Wild fans were ecstatic about the offseason acquisitions of Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi, a big question mark was how they would cope with the loss of All-Star defenseman Brent Burns.  One of the biggest reasons for the Wild's surprising success so far has been the play of their rookie and second-year blueliners.  Nate Prosser and Clayton Stoner profile as physical stay-at-home guys.  The scrappy and undersized Jared Spurgeon seems to be the most offensively talented.  But the best all-around prospect of the group remains Scandella, who has a size to take on opposing power forwards, is a solid skater and puck-handler, and possesses a hard shot.  He is still inconsistent, but within a couple of years, I truly feel he can be the Wild's next All-Star defenseman.

Kelly Fairchild

Sent: 12/1/11
Received: 12/27/11
Time: 26 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 2002-03 Upper Deck Vintage
Item Received: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 2002-03 Upper Deck Vintage.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Grand Rapids, Minnesota's Kelly Fairchild has a historic college career for the Wisconsin Badgers, culminating in an All-WCHA junior season in which he led the league in scoring and finished second in the vote for the Hobey Baker Award.  He went pro the next year, but never did get much of a shot in the NHL.  He spent most of the rest of the '90s in the IHL and AHL, then spent most of the 2000s in Europe before finally retiring after the 2009 season.

Godfrey Zaunbrecher

Sent: 12/8/11
Received: 12/23/11
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 LSU Collegiate Collection
Item Received: 1990 LSU Collegiate Collection, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
Godfrey Zaunbrecher spent three seasons as a backup offensive lineman for the Vikings and was part of the 1973 team that took on the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII. 

Brian Lee

Sent: 10/24/11
Received: 12/21/11
Time: 58 Days
Address: c/o Ottawa Senators
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee.  Both signed and personalized in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Lee was Minnesota's Mr. Hockey as a senior at Moorhead High School in 2005.  He crossed the Red River to play collegiately for North Dakota and was drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Ottawa Senators.  So far he has struggled to live up to his NHL draft status, but he's still just 24 and still has the size and potential to be a factor in the league for the next decade or so.

Tim Bergland

Sent: 11/16/11
Received: 12/21/11
Time: 35 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Stadium Club, 1992-93 Topps
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Stadium Club, 1992-93 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Tim Bergland was a great leader and outstanding two-way forward for the Minnesota Gophers in the mid 1980s.  Though he showed a knack for finding the net in college and in the minors, his ticket to the NHL was as a penalty killing, faceoff-winning defender.  He spent six years in the NHL with the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning.  He is now back home in northwestern Minnesota, where he is the head coach for the Thief River Falls High School team.

Roland Hooks

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 12/19/11
Time: 30 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1978 Topps, 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps, 1981 Topps
Item Received: 1978 Topps, 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps, 1981 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Roland Hooks was a solid multi-purpose back for seven seasons for the Bills.  He was a good receiver out of the backfield, ran back kicks and punts, and even saw some time as a goal-line back.  In fact, he scored four touchdowns (one third if his career total) in four carries in one game against the Bengals in 1979.

Rich Becker

Sent: 11/5/11
Received: 12/19/11
Time: 44 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress, 1997 Fleer, 1997 Topps, 1997 Ultra
Item Received: 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress, 1997 Fleer, 1997 Topps, 1997 Ultra.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
For several years in the early '90s, Rich Becker was hailed as one of the jewels of the Twins farm system.  He was a switch-hitting outfielder with outstanding speed and a great glove, and possessed some nice power potential.  He had nothing left to prove in the minors when the Twins made him their everyday center fielder in 1995.  But he proved nothing in the majors that year, as he struggled to get on base, showed no power, and was caught more times than he was successful in base stealing attempts.  He was at a crossroads in 1996, and he answered the call big time.  Spending most of the year hitting between Chuck Knoblauch and Paul Molitor (who each had historic seasons that year), Becker posted a .291/.372/.434 triple slash line, clubbed 12 homers, scored 92 runs, knocked in 71, and stole 19 bases (while only being caught five times).  He also played Gold Glove quality defense in center.  He regressed in 1997, though, and was dealt to the Mets for Alex Ochoa after the season.  He would play for five clubs over the next three years and wouldn't come close to approaching the promise he showed in 1996.  Regardless, his '96 season was one of the most underrated and seasons from a dark decade in the Dome.

Doug Paschal

Sent: 11/30/11
Received: 12/16/11
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 North Carolina Collegiate Collection
Item Received: 1990 North Carolina Collegiate Collection, signed in blue ballpoint.

Notes:
Following a standout college career for the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Vikings drafted Doug Paschal in the fifth round of the 1980 draft.  He spent one season in purple, carrying the ball 15 times for 53 yards and a touchdown, and added two receptions for 18 yards.  A knee injury ended his career before his second season would begin. 

Jerry Ostroski

Sent: 10/20/11
Received: 12/15/11
Time: 56 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1996 Pacific, 1997 Pacific Philadelphia Gold
Item Received: 1996 Pacific, 1997 Pacific Philadelphia Gold.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jerry Ostroski was a tenth round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 1992, right in the middle of their AFC dynasty.  Though it would take him two years to crack the active roster, he would eventually stick around for eight seasons (all with the Bills).  During his career, his biggest asset would be his versatility.  In separate seasons he was a starting center, guard, and tackle.

Derek Plante

Sent: 11/29/11
Received: 12/14/11
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1993-94 Classic Draft Picks, 1993-94 Stadium Club, 1993-94 Ultra, 2000-01 Pacific
Item Received: 1993-94 Classic Draft Picks, 1993-94 Stadium Club, 1993-94 Ultra, 2000-01 Pacific.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Derek Plante led the WCHA in both goals and assists during his senior season for UMD.  By the end of the year, he was in the NHL.  He became one of the Buffalo Sabres' most dependable scorers throughout the '90s before being dealt to the Dallas Stars late in the 1998-99 season.  He would win the Stanley Cup with the Stars that season, defeating his longtime Sabres teammates.  The Iron Range native is now back at his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

Chris McAlpine

Sent: 11/17/11
Received: 12/10/11
Time: 23 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 1997-98 Upper Deck, 2001-02 Topps
Item Received: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 1997-98 Upper Deck, 2001-02 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Chris McAlpine was one of the great Minnesota Golden Gophers of the early '90s, and one of my personal favorites.  One year after graduating from the U of M as an All-WCHA defender, he was hoisting the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils.  He ended up as an NHL journeyman, playing in 289 games for six different teams over eight seasons, and he remains one of my favorite Gophers.

Anthony Parker

Sent: 10/21/11
Received: 12/9/11
Time: 49 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991 Pro Set, 1991 Pro Set WLAF Collectible, 1991 Pro Set WLAF, 1991 Pro Set WLAF League Leaders, 1993 Score
Item Received: 1991 Pro Set, 1991 Pro Set WLAF Collectible, 1991 Pro Set WLAF, 1991 Pro Set WLAF League Leaders, 1993 Score.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Anthony Parker was a journeyman who found opportunity with the introduction of the World League of American Football in 1991.  Playing for the New York-New Jersey Knights, he captured the WLAF's Defensive MVP award.  In 1992, the Minnesota Vikings signed him as a nickel back and punt returner.  He spent three years in purple, eventually developing into a starting cornerback, and was one of the World League's first NFL success stories.

Andrew MacDonald

Sent: 11/5/11
Received: 12/9/11
Time: 34 Days
Address: c/o New York Islanders
Item Sent: 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Andrew MacDonald emerged as a leader and a top defenseman during his sophomore season with the Islanders in 2010-11.  He played a boatload of ice time, played on both the power play and the penalty kill, and finished at +9 with 27 points (4 goals, 23 assists).  He certainly looked to be a long-term fixture on this talented young Isles squad.  Things have not gone as smoothly so far this season, as he has just three points through his first 27 games.  Much of his dip in production is due to the return of captain Mark Streit, who missed the entire year last year, and the addition of veteran Steve Staios to the defensive corps.  I like what I saw out of MacDonald last year, and still like his future on the island.

Paul MacDermid

Sent: 11/12/11
Received: 12/9/11
Time: 27 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989-90 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra
Item Received: 1989-90 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
He spent most of his 15 NHL seasons in low-profile locales such as Hartford, Winnipeg, and Quebec City, so Paul MacDermid was never a household name.  For over a decade, though, he was a prototype NHL grinder.  He did the dirty work, shadowing the opponents' stars and would contribute around 30 points and 150 or so penalty minutes each season. 

Al Hangsleben

Sent: 11/29/11
Received: 12/8/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee, 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee, 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Warroad, Minnesota native and University of North Dakota great Al Hangsleben had his finest professional years with the New England Whalers of the WHA.  He was a punishing hitter who excelled at clearing the front of the net, but also had a bit of scoring talent.  In fact, while with Washington, he even spent time filling in as a forward.

Reed Larson

Sent: 12/1/11
Received: 12/7/11
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 Topps, 1990-91 Pro Set Minnesota North Stars logo
Item Received: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 Topps, 1990-91 Pro Set Minnesota North Stars logo.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member Reed Larson is not only one of the all-time great Minnesota-born NHL players.  He's one of the all-time great American NHLers.  The longtime Red Wing was a three-time All-Star and was, at one point, the all-time leading U.S. born player in NHL history.  Larson came home and played 11 games in a North Stars uniform at the end of his career, picking up nine assists.

Doug Sutherland

Sent: 11/29/11
Received: 12/6/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps
Item Received: 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Doug Sutherland succeeded Gary Larsen as the left defensive tackle on the Purple People Eaters, and actually held the job for longer.  He played on three of the Vikings four Super Bowl teams and after the rest of the People Eaters (Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall) has moved on, Sutherland remained as a mentor to young linemen like Doug Martin and Mark Mullaney.  He was named as on of the 50 Greatest Vikings during the team's 50th Anniversary festivities in 2010.

Tom Gorence

Sent: 11/29/11
Received: 12/6/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979-80 Topps, 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee, 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee, 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 1979-80 Topps, 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee, 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee, 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Golden Gophers great Tom Gorence spent five years with the Philadelphia Flyers and was a key member of the 1979-80 team that set a league record with a 35-game unbeaten streak en route to the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Bob McGill

Sent: 11/15/11
Received: 12/6/11
Time: 21 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded
Item Received: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I best remember Bob McGill as a tough-as-nails defenseman for the hated Chicago Blackhawks when I was a young North Stars fan.  He wasn't much of an offensive factor, but was a big hitter and willing fighter.  He was an alternate captain on the inaugural San Jose Sharks squad.

Troy Mallette

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 12/6/11
Time: 17 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
A tough guy with a nice scoring touch, Mallette hit Broadway in a big way as a rookie with the New York Rangers in 1989-90.  He lit the lamp 13 times and racked up an incredible 305 penalty minutes.  He followed that with similar numbers (12 goals, 252 penalty minutes) in his sophomore year, but was traded to Edmonton the next season and, although he hung around the league for seven more years, he would never again approach either of those stats.

Mike Misuraca

Sent: 9/13/11
Received: 12/6/11
Time: 84 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989 Star Kenosha Twins, 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress, 1994 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress
Item Received: 1989 Star Kenosha Twins, 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress, 1994 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Twins signed Mike Misuraca in 1988 and he spent eight seasons in their organization.  After tossing over 1,000 career minor league innings in the Twins system, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers.  In the summer of 1997 he finally made his big league debut.  He appeared in five games for the Brew Crew as a 29 year old rookie and retired after the season.

Charlie Huddy

Sent: 11/12/11
Received: 12/5/11
Time: 23 Days
Address: c/o Winnipeg Jets
Item Sent: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded
Item Received: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Huddy had a remarkable career as a defenseman on the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s.  He is one of only a handful of players who were a part of all five Stanley Cup winners in Edmonton.  And he's the only one with that mustache.

Joe Ferguson

Sent: 11/15/11
Received: 12/3/11
Time: 18 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979 Topps, 1982 Topps, 1985 Topps, 1991 Pro Set Legends
Item Received: 1979 Topps, 1982 Topps, 1985 Topps, 1991 Pro Set Legends.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
This is a pretty awesome return for my 300th of the year!  Joe Ferguson stepped in as a rookie starting quarterback for the Bills in 1973 and held on to the job for twelve seasons.  He rewrote the Bills record book during that time.  Although it was a run-heavy offense, Ferguson still managed a league-leading 25 touchdown passes in 1975.  By the late '70s, with O.J. gone and a slew of talented wide receivers on the roster, the offense opened up big time, allowing Ferguson to put together a couple of 3,500+ yard seasons.  Although just about all of his team passing records were broken by Jim Kelly, Ferguson and Kelly still share one number.  The #12 jersey has been retired by the Bills in honor of both quarterbacks.

Dave Fleming

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 12/2/11
Time: 13 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991 Classic Best, 1993 Bowman, 1993 Ultra
Item Received: 1991 Classic Best, 1993 Bowman, 1993 Ultra.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Fleming made the scene as a 17 game winning rookie in 1992.  He put up a 3.39 ERA in over 228 innings and finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting (though he probably deserved better).  His ERA spiked by almost a full run in his second year, but he still went 12-5, furter establishing himself as one of the top young lefties in the league.  Then the arm problems came.  He pitched two more seasons, posting some awful numbers.  Then, like that, he was gone.  It really makes one appreciate the career of someone like Jamie Moyer when looking at Fleming.  They were similar pitchers, but health allowed one to pitch until he was almost 50.  The other was done at 25.

Craig Berube

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 12/2/11
Time: 13 Days
Address: c/o Flyers SkateZone
Item Sent: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded
Item Received: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Craig Berube played in 1,054 NHL games and scored 159 points.  Clearly he must have possessed some special gift to last in the league for 17 seasons with those paltry statistics.  Oh, here it is... 3,149 career penalty minutes.  Yes, Berube was an enforcer of the highest order.  He was best known from his two stints with the Flyers, where he did his best to carry on the "Broad Street Bullies" legacy.  He is now an assistant coach for the Flyers.

Gary Leeman

Sent: 10/12/11
Received: 12/2/11
Time: 51 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Score, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps
Item Received: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Score, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Gary Leeman came up as a defenseman on some dreadful early '80s Maple Leafs teams.  A couple years into his career, he was converted into a wing.  He responded with back-to-back 30 goal seasons in 1987-88 and 1988-89.  In 1989-90 he exploded with an incredible 51 goal/95 point season (for another dreadful Maple Leafs squad).  A couple of trades and a couple of years later, Leeman was a role player on the 1993 Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens.  He retired in 1997, just one goal short of 200 for his career.

Paul Seymour

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 12/1/11
Time: 12 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1974 Topps, 1975 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps
Item Received: 1974 Topps, 1975 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Buffalo Bills made Paul Seymour - an All-American tight end out of Michigan - the number seven overall pick in the 1973 draft.  Though his career statistics are rather pedestrian, he was a skilled receiver with a knack for making key third down catches.  His real value to the Bills, though, was his blocking.  And it was his blocking that made him an unofficial sixth member of "The Electric Company."

Mike Lalor

Sent: 11/21/11
Received: 12/1/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Mike Lalor was an all-guts/no-glory stay at home defenseman who broke into the NHL on the 1985-86 Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens.  He tallied a goal and two assists during the run to the Cup that year and spent eleven more years in the league with St. Louis, Washington, Winnipeg, San Jose, and Dallas, appearing in nearly 700 NHL games.

Mike Sadek

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 11/28/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1974 Topps, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1981 Topps
Item Received: 1974 Topps, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1981 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Richfield native and former Gopher Mike Sadek was drafted by his hometown Twins in 1967.  After three years in their organization, he was drafted out of it by the San Francisco Giants.  He made it to the majors in 1973 and spent eight seasons in a Giants uniform.  He was never much with the stick, but was an outstanding receiver and had a fine career as a backup catcher, playing with legends like Willie McCovey and Juan Marichal.

Ryan Walter

Sent: 11/14/11
Received: 11/28/11
Time: 14 Days
Address: c/o Abbotsford Heat
Item Sent: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded
Item Received: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookies & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Ryan Walter is a hockey renaissance man.  Prior to his new job as President of the AHL Abbotsford Heat, his resumer looked like this: 15 year NHL career; Stanley Cup Champion (1986); NHL Man of the Year (1992); vice-president of the NHLPA; broadcaster; NHL assistant coach; head coach of the Canadian National Women's Hockey Team; author; motivational speaker; actor.  Either he's a very sharp dude or he has a severe fear of commitment!

Steve Foucault

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 11/26/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1975 SSPC, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps
Item Received: 1975 SSPC, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps, 2011 Choice Long Island Ducks.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The man behind this amazing mustache is Steve Foucault.  He was born in Duluth, Minnesota and spent the '70s as an outstanding power-reliever for the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.  These days, he's a post-modern pitching philosopher for the independent league Long Island Ducks, and he still sports the best mustache in professional baseball.

Anders Lindback

Sent: 11/5/11
Received: 11/26/11
Time: 21 Days
Address: c/o Nashville Predators
Item Sent: 2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The Predators are turning into quite the goaltender factory.  Pekka Rinne has a hold on the top spot and has developed into one of the elite goalies in the world.  Right behind him, though, is giant Swede Anders Lindback.  Lindback was brilliant while spotting Rinne last season, and will absolutely be an NHL starter within the next two years.

Jack Hillen

Sent: 10/24/11
Received: 11/26/11
Time: 33 Days
Address: c/o Nashville Predators
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Score
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Score.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Minnesota native and former Holy Angels star Jack Hillen had a brilliant four year NCAA career at Colorado College, culminating in All-WCHA honors during his senior season.  After four years with the New York Islanders, he signed as a free agent with the up and coming Nashville Predators prior to this season, joining a defensive corps that includes stars Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.

Joe Dziedzic

Sent: 11/17/11
Received: 11/25/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 1994-95 Signature Rookies, 1995-96 Ultra
Item Received: 1994-95 Classic Draft Picks, 1995-96 Ultra.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Northeast Minneapolis through and through, Joe Dziedzic was Minnesota's "Mr. Hockey" in 1990 for Minneapolis Edison High School before embarking on a brilliant collegiate career with the Gophers.  He was as close to a prototype power forward as I can recall seeing in college hockey during that era, and a few years later he was skating alongside Mario Lemieux.  He is now the head coach for St. Paul Academy.

Pat Scanlon

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 11/25/11
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1975 SSPC, 1978 Topps
Item Received: 1975 SSPC, 1978 Topps.  Both signed in blue gel pen.

Notes:
Pat Scanlon had big league cups of coffee in four seasons for the Expos and Padres.  He hit .187 with four career home runs.  He did have a long and impressive minor league career.  Of most interest to me, though, is that he lives just a few blocks away from me.  I will not ever be the type to make an unsolicited visit to someone's house for an autograph request and I am most certainly not a stalker, but I have to admit that it's kind of cool knowing exactly where a letter is going when addressing it.

J.T. Bruett

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 11/25/11
Time: 6 Days
Address: c/o University of Minnesota Athletic Department
Item Sent: 1989 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1992 Donruss Rookies, 1993 Topps
Item Received: 1989 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1992 Donruss Rookies, 1993 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Former Gophers center fielder J.T. Bruett didn't have any power at the plate and never really profiled as anything more than a pinch-runner/fifth-outfielder type big leaguer.  And that's exactly what he was.  He could fly, no doubt about it.  In 1988 and 1989, he put up seasons of 61 and 52 stolen bases.  Three years later, he made his major league debut.  He appeared in 73 games over two seasons with the Twins, and finished his pro career with the St. Paul Saints in 1996.  He is now the Director of NCAA Compliance for the Gophers' Athletic Department.

Terry Tausch

Sent: 11/15/11
Received: 11/25/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1987 Minnesota Vikings Police
Item Received: 1987 Minnesota Vikings Police, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
All things considered, I feel like I have had pretty good luck with the post office since taking up this hobby.  This is disappointing, though.  Former Vikings lineman Terry Tausch beautifully signed his 1987 Police card in blue Sharpie, but the return envelope appeared to be bent in half at some point while on its way back to me. 

Mike Crowley

Sent: 11/18/11
Received: 11/23/11
Time: 5 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, 1997-98 Pacific, 1997-98 Upper Deck MVP
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, 1997-98 Pacific, 1997-98 Upper Deck MVP.  All signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
It's been a long time since I added to my 1995-96 Gophers Hockey team set, but this is a big one.  Mike Crowley was, quite simply, one of the greatest college hockey players I have ever seen.  He was a good defenseman, but a ridiculously talented skater and puckhandler for a blueliner.  He led the WCHA in scoring, was an All-American and a Hobey Baker finalist.  Most telling, all offensively-skilled Gopher defensemen to this day are still compared to Mike Crowley.  His game surprisingly did not translate to NHL success and he retired after parts of three seasons with the Ducks (and a training camp with the Wild).  He's still one of my all-time favorite players.  This is a rad return!

Gary Larsen

Sent: 11/10/11
Received: 11/22/11
Time: 12 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1975 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites
Item Received: 1975 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites.  Both signed and personalized in black ballpoint.

Notes:
I'm excited about this one.  These autographs from Gary Larsen represent my first-ever signatures from the Purple People Eaters.  Gary Larsen will never (at least outside of Minnesota) be a household name like his linemates Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall.  But he was an outstanding defensive tackle who made back to back Pro Bowls in 1969 and 1970 and was a part of three Vikings Super Bowl teams.

Jerry DiPoto

Sent: 11/12/11
Received: 11/22/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: c/o Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Item Sent: 1993 Fleer Final Edition, 1998 Collector's Choice, 1999 Topps
Item Received: 1993 Fleer Final Edition, 1998 Collector's Choice, 1999 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jerry DiPoto's name has been on the short list of baseball GM prospects for a few years, and he finally got his job this off-season.  I'm pretty excited to see what he does with the Angels - a model franchise with a hungry, outgoing owner and tons of resources.  Unfortunately, for the sake of Angels fans, he probably won't be able to travel back in time to void the Mike Napoli for Vernon Wells trade.

Alex Stalock

Sent: 11/7/11
Received: 11/21/11
Time: 14 Days
Address: c/o Worcester Sharks
Item Sent: 2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded, 2011-12 Upper Deck Victory
Item Received: 2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded, 2011-12 Upper Deck Victory.  Both signed in thin black Sharpie.

Notes:
UMD great Alex Stalock has to be chomping at the bit to build on his perfect NHL stat line.  That's right.  Perfect.  He was called up as an emergency backup by the Sharks last season.  He made his NHL debut in a relief role and didn't allow a goal.  Meanwhile, his offense mounted a comeback, giving him a career 1-0 record, 0.00 GAA, and 1.000 save percentage.  He returned to the minors and suffered a freak knee injury, from which he is still rehabilitating.

Garth Butcher

Sent: 11/7/11
Received: 11/21/11
Time: 14 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Topps, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1990-91 Topps, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  All signed in black or blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Appropriately named given the intimidating presence that he was, Butcher logged a ton of ice time, and spent basically every other minute of the game in the penalty box.  I really like what he did here - he signed in team colors!  Both Canucks cards are signed in black and both Blues cards are signed in... uh... blue.

Alex Van Pelt

Sent: 11/10/11
Received: 11/19/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Item Sent: 2002 Topps Chrome, 2003 Topps Total, 2003 Upper Deck
Item Received: 2002 Topps Chrome, 2003 Topps Total, 2003 Upper Deck.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Van Pelt was terrific in his role as a backup quarterback for the Bills for ten seasons.  He signed with the Bills as a free agent in 1994 and spent the season as a third-stringer behind Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and gold-standard backup Frank Reich.  When Reich left for a starting gig with the expansion Carolina Panthers the next year, Van Pelt stepped into the #2 role.  Following Kelly's retirement the Bills signed free agents Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie to compete for the starting job.  While those two went back and forth, Van Pelt lingered in the background, holding the clipboard.  Finally in 2001, after Johnson went down with an injury, Van Pelt stepped into the role of top dog.  He made eight of his 11 career starts that year, amassed 2,056 of his 2,985 career passing yards and threw 12 of his 16 career touchdown passes.  The next season, though, Drew Bledsoe came to Buffalo and Van Pelt went back to the bench.  Always a fan favorite, he stepped into the broadcast booth shortly after retiring.  From there it was on to Dick Jauron's coaching staff.  He spent most of 2009 as the Bills' interim offensive coordinator, but was let go with most of the rest of the staff at the end of the season.  In 2010, Van Pelt was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their quiarterbacks coach and was instrumental in the development of second-year stud Josh Freeman.

Donnie Green

Sent: 11/9/11
Received: 11/18/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1973 Topps, 1974 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites
Item Received: 1973 Topps, 1974 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites.  All signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
I have a confession.  I can't stand it when athletes work "God" or "Jesus Christ" into their autographs.  Referencing bible verses is slightly annoying.  (Not nearly as annoying as "thanking my lord and savior Jesus Christ for letting me score that touchdown" ... as if Christ -- if he did exist -- was playing favorites.)  Seeing these inscriptions on Donnie Green's cards, though?  It doesn't bother me.  It actually makes my smile.

A few years ago there were reports that Green was homeless.  He wasn't in good shape, had fallen into drugs, and couldn't pay his mounting medical bills from the despicable excuse for an NFL pension.  Hall of Fame linemate Joe DeLamielleure made news when he set up an autograph fundraiser to benefit Green.  It was in a homeless shelter in Maryland and through the actions of his former teammates that Donnie Green found God.  Whether literal or figurative, his discovery has saved his life.

The tricky thing about religion is that it isn't all propaganda being spewed by the fearful and hateful.  In fact, I would wager that for most it really is more of a spiritual, symbolic thing.

I do not consider myself religious.  I can't say if there is a God.  He/She/It has certainly never spoken to me.  My father-in-law and mother-in-law both have advanced theology degrees, and my father-in-law is a Lutheran minister in Iowa.  He's a brilliant man and perhaps the most socialist person I know.  See?  Not so easy to wrap into a neat little package.  I can't stand far-right "Christian" psychopaths like Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, yet some of my favorite music in the world is primitive southern gospel and blues.  Because whether it exists or not, it's the feeling that's important.  It's the authentic feeling that'll get you by.

So if "trusting in Jesus" is what Donnie Green needs to keep on keeping on, to get his life back on track (and it does seem to be better now than it was four or five years ago), that's fantastic.  Seriously.  It can be a cruel, cruel world, but I'm glad the right tackle of "The Electric Company" is still a part of it.

Dave Foley

Sent: 11/9/11
Received: 11/18/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1973 Topps, 1974 Topps, 1975 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites
Item Received: 1973 Topps, 1974 Topps, 1975 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Both "Electric Company" tackles in one day!  Dave Foley was the left tackle on the Bills' famed offensive line for six seasons.  During that time, O.J. Simpson broke the single-season rushing record and the Bills had their first run-in with success since the AFL-NFL merger.  Foley was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad in 1974.

Mike Montler

Sent: 11/9/11
Received: 11/17/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites
Item Received: 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The Buffalo Bills acquired Montler from the Patriots in 1973 and installed him as their center.  That season, O.J. Simpson became the first running back in league history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.  Obviously his stellar line needed a nickname, thus "The Electric Company" was born.  Montler centered the group for three more seasons before moving on to Denver.

Ken Baumgartner

Sent: 11/7/11
Received: 11/15/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Appropriately nicknamed, "Bomber" was an enforcer through and through.  Over 12 NHL seasons he totaled over 2,200 penalty minutes and only 54 points.  Like a lot of other hockey tough guys, he's actually a very smart guy: following his playing career he obtained an MBA from Harvard.

Alfred Anderson

Sent: 11/3/11
Received: 11/12/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Topps, 1985 Vikings Police, 1989 Topps, 1990 Pro Set
Item Received: 1985 Topps, 1985 Vikings Police, 1989 Topps, 1990 Pro Set.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Possibly the only bright spot during the Vikings dismal "Les Steckel season" of 1984 (when they finished with their worst-ever record at 3-13) was the play of rookie third-round draft pick Alfred Anderson.  Although he was probably miscast as a featured running back, he did rush for a team-leading 773 yards.  It was a career high by a long shot.  Big Alfred did play eight years in the NFL, all with the Purple, and handled every role you could ask from a running back: featured tailback, third-down back, blocking back, kick returner.  Quite simply, he was an everyman.  He was one of the key character figures on the teams I grew up with, and always one of my favorites.  Thanks, Alfred!