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.