He played there? Hockey Edition: Part 4

Been a while. Hopefully my readers haven't bailed on me!

LIFE UPDATE:

Sorry for the big gap in posts. My youngest son has been playing tackle football for his school. It's been a lot for us as a family because it's 5 days a week and my oldest son still has his guitar lessons and is now in Cub Scouts. Due to my sons' activities, I haven't really had time for cards. I also had purged a lot of cool stuff on eBay and will probably keep doing so. I wish I had more time for cards, but reality has been setting in and with my youngest being active in baseball, football, soccer and possibly lacrosse in the coming months, I think I might just sell off most of my cards. I do want to keep blogging though, so when I can, I'll try to get on here and post. On to the next installment of, "He played there? Hockey Edition."

In the 90's this guy was a household name. He dated an actress, a teenage tennis star and even was signed by Nike. He was the first guy I remember wearing white skates (besides the stories I heard when I was little about the California Golden Seals). You guessed it, Sergei Fedorov. When I was in middle school, I wanted those darn white Nike skates so bad. It wasn't until I played in the beer leagues that I acquired a pair. One night my brother and I ventured into Play It Again Sports and I found a brand-new pair of them in my size for $40. I have no idea who turned them in but thank you. I skated those things for 4 years. After I realized how heavy they were, I ditched them for the sexier, newer Bauer skates. Now, I realize that I should have just hung on to those. In used condition, they're basically worth a mint. 

Fedorov was a superstar. He was one of the players who defected from the Soviet Union in order to pursue his NHL career. Most of you know him as a Detroit Red Wing. He was elite and helped the Red Wings to win 3 Stanley Cups during is 13 seasons there. Sergei was even a Hart Trophy Winner during his time there as the NHL's most valuable player. The guy could do it all. He played center, wing and even defense occasionally. In the 2003 offseason, Fedorov signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks after a contract dispute with Detroit. Fedorov would only play for Anaehim for 85 games before being dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with a 5th Round Draft Pick for Tyler Wright and Francois Beauchemin. In Columbus, Fedorov's play would decline. His best season there was his first (2005/06) where he would play 62 games and put up 43 points. During the trade deadline, Columbus would deal Fedorov to the Washington Capitals where he would play 70 games total from 2007-2009 before heading back to his native Russia to complete his career in the KHL playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk from 2009-2012. Fedorov would play in 1,248 games in his career and score 483 goals, 696 assists for 1,179 points.  Also, after retirement, Fedorov would coach in the KHL for CSKA Moscow from 2021-2024. In 2015, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

How was he acquired? February 26, 2008 the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Theo Ruth. 

2008/09 Upper Deck MVP Sergei Fedorov #297

When I was in college, I had broken up with my longtime girlfriend. Eventually, I started talking to another girl whose dad was a huge hockey fan. Any time I was at their house, her dad would take me down to their basement to show me all of his hockey memorabilia. Some of the plastic and glass cups he had from the 80's and 90's were so cool. I gravitated towards this bunch of Nordiques glasses he had. There were several of Marian and Peter Stastny. One day, he and I were down in the basement talking and he noticed I was checking out the glasses, and he said, "Why don't you take a Marian and Peter glass home, I have 4 or 5 of each." I didn't hesitate and put those bad boys in my truck so fast. Eventually the girl and I wouldn't hang out anymore, but I missed her dad. He was cool! In 2012, I saw him at a restaurant with his wife, and I had the waitress send him a beer on me. Before he left, he stopped by my table and gave me a hug and chatted with me and who would eventually be my wife for a few minutes. What an awesome guy.  

Peter Stastny was a legend. Like Fedorov, Stastny and his brother Anton would defect from Czechoslovakia for the NHL. In his first season in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques, Stastny would win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year by posting 39 goals and 70 assists (which would set history as a rookie record). Peter was so good that he would post 6 consecutive 100-point seasons. In 1981, Stastny's brother Marian would join his 2 brothers, and all 3 Stastny's brothers were playing for the Nordiques. Peter would play with his 3 brothers for 4 seasons before Marian left to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eventually, Peter would be traded from the Nordiques. On March 6, 1990, Stastny was dealt to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Craig Wolanin and future considerations who would turn into Randy Velischeck. After 3 and a 1/2 seasons with the Devils, Peter Stastny would sign with the St. Louis Blues. Stastny's Blues tenure was derailed by knee injuries. After 23 games in 2 seasons, Stastny would retire. His 2 sons, Yan and Paul have both played in the NHL. Stastny was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

How was he acquired? March 9, 1994, the St. Louis Blues signed Peter Stastny to a 2-year contract. 

1994/95 Upper Deck Electric Ice Peter Stastny #60

Growing up, I never thought I would see the day where Ray Bourque and Brian Leetch played for any team other than Boston and New York, but the NHL is a tricky devil sometimes. This past NHL season saw Matthew Schaefer tie a 25-year-old record by scoring 23 goals as a rookie. The guy he shares that record with, well, none other than Brian Leetch. Leetch was a staple for the New York Rangers in the 90's and early 00's. With the Rangers, Leetch would win 2 Norris Trophies as the NHL's Top Defenseman, he would win a Stanly Cup in 1994 and hold 12 New York Rangers defenseman records. It's crazy to think with such a resume as Brian Leetch has that he would ever leave the organization. However, that's exactly what happened in 2004. After a down year in 2003/04, the New York Rangers would trade Leetch to the Maple Leafs. Leetch played only 15 games for the Maple Leafs. After a lockout of the 2004/05 season, his contract with the Leafs would end and he would suit up for one final season in 2005/06 with the Boston Bruins. He would skate 61 games for the Bruins, put up 5 goals and 27 assists for 32 points before calling it a career. 

How was he acquired? March 3, 2004, the New York Rangers traded Brian Leetch and a conditional 4th Round Draft Pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Maxim Kondratiev, forward Jarkko Immonen, a 2004 1st Round Draft Pick (Kris Chucko - selected by the Calgary Flames after a trade) and a 2005 2nd Round Draft Pick. 

2003/04 Topps Traded Brian Leetch #TT30

There have been so many former St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins in these posts. This next one is no different. The trade of this player would bring in a player that would set up Brett Hull for many goals. Bernie Federko was a St. Louis Blues legend. In 1976, the Blues would select Federko 7th overall in the NHL Draft. Federko would play for St. Louis for 13 years. During his tenure with the Blues, he would be named for 2 All-Star games (1980 and 1981) and also set 6 Blues records. Federko was always a fan favorite in St. Louis and even had his number 24 retired there in 1991. Federko was eventually inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002, but before that, Bernie would play one last season with the Detroit Red Wings. Topps didn't have time to photograph him with his new team, so he received the air brush treatment with his first card during his season with Detroit (Pro Set would add him to their 1990/91 set after Bernie had retired). The guy who the Blues received from the Federko trade? None other than Adam Oates, who would form the Hull & Oates line and shoot Brett Hull into superstardom. So, it appears the trade definitely worked out for the Blues.

How was he acquired? June 15, 1989, the St. Louis Blues traded Bernie Federko and forward Tony McKegney to the Detroit Red Wings for forwards Adam Oates and Paul MacLean.

1989/90 Topps Bernie Federko #107

This next one still burns. I still remember the day the Penguins acquired him. My brother lost his ever-loving mind. The day he was traded here to Pittsburgh, I had just gotten home from my weekly beer league hockey game and looked at my phone to see 2 missed calls from my brother. So, I showered and then called him back and my brother thought for sure we were winning the Stanley Cup after acquiring him. Sadly, it didn't really work out for the Pens and Jarome Iginla. I had previously talked about Jarome Iginla here. 

How was he acquired? The Calgary Flames traded Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forwards Kenny Agostino, Ben Hanowski and a 2013 1st Round Draft Pick which would be Morgan Klimchuk.

2013/14 Score Gold Jarome Iginla #408

From one Pittsburgh Penguin to another (sorta) Pittsburgh Penguin...well, former General Manager that is. When I was a kid, my cousin worked as an editor for the Philadelphia Flyers newsletter. My brother and I would receive it in the mail and also my cousin would send us signed goodies from whatever Flyer we wanted an autograph from. One time, I asked her to get me an autograph from Ron Hextall. I was a forward on my hockey teams I played for then, but when I would play with the neighborhood kids, I would strap on the goalie pads and one of the goalies I admired was Ronny Hextall. My cousin eventually came through, and she sent me a signed 1991/92 Score Ron Hextall card that was even personalized to me with To: Bryan on the front. That card was special to me. One summer morning my brother and I were arguing about something in the hallway. My brother ran at me and tackled me to the ground, and I hit my elbow on the wall and it hurt. With me being on the ground, my brother ran into my room and locked the door. A minute later he came out and he had my Ron Hextall autograph in his hands. I begged and pleaded for him just to put it back in my room, but he took the card in his palm and crumpled it. I was so mad I blacked out and punched everything in front of me, eventually landing a few good ones on my brother before my mom finally broke it up. However, the damage had been done. I never got to ask for another autograph from my cousin because Hextall was traded a week later to Quebec. It's definitely a traumatic memory for me as a kid. My brother and I certainly never got along until later, but we had some brutal arguments when we were growing up. 

Hextall was the son of former NHL players Bryan Hextall who also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 70's. Ron was a legend for the Philadelphia Flyers. He wouldn't shy away from a fight, and he even was the first goalie to ever score a goal in the regular season and also in playoffs. In his rookie season, he would win 37 games and win the Vezina Trophy as the most outstanding goalie. During his career, he would win a Vezina and a Conn Smythe Trophy. His only Stanly Cup would come as an Assistant General Manager with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. Also, another notable fact about him is that he was included in the historic trade that brought Eric Lindros to Philadelphia.

How was he acquired? June 30, 1992, the Philadelphia Flyers sent Ron Hextall, Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, $15 million in cash, a 1993 1st Round Draft Pick (Jocelyn Thibault) and a 1994 1st Round Draft Pick (Nolan Baumgartner) and future considerations to the Quebec Nordiques for forward Eric Lindros.

1992/93 Upper Deck Ron Hextall #523

When you've played for 9 teams in your career, it may be hard to keep track of what teams a player has suited up for. Insert defenseman Paul Coffey. How many teams can you name that he's been a part of? Penguins, Flyers, Oilers, Kings, Red Wings...sure. What about Boston Bruins? Check. Carolina Hurricanes? Check. Hartford Whalers? Check. Chicago Blackhawks....uhhhh....check? The 4-time Stanley Cup Champion certainly has had to pack his suitcase a few times, and I remembered a lot of the teams he played for, but the 2 I didn't remember were the Blackhawks and Bruins. Coffey was one of the best defensemen of all time. He won the Norris Trophy 3 times, the Stanley Cup 4 times, played in 14 All-Star games and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. He owns countless records and is 2nd All-Time in defenseman goals, assists, and points.

1998/99 Upper Deck Paul Coffey #66

Time for another former Penguin I suppose. From one to the next! Any time the Penguins brought in a proven veteran scorer, it would fire my family up. When the brought in Luc Robitaille, it was no different. We were all so excited to see him suit up with Jagr, Francis, and Larry Murphy. It was something to get excited about. What I didn't see happening was Tomas Sandstrom outscoring Robitaille the season he played for Pittsburgh, but it happened. Robitaille was a Los Angeles Kings staple when I was growing up. He is one of the lowest drafted players to record 1,000 points in their career (9th Round Draft Pick - 171st overall in 1984). In his first season, Robitaille won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year beating out Ron Hextall for the award. He would go on to score more than 40 goals in each of his first 8 NHL seasons and cemented himself as one of the greatest Left Wings to ever play in the NHL. In 1,431 games with the Kings, Penguins, Rangers, and Red Wings, Luc posted 668 goals, 726 assists for 1,394 points. However, in the lockout shortened season in 1994, he would post 42 of those points (23 goals, 19 assists) with my hometown Penguins. Robitaille was an 8-time All-Star, Stanley Cup Champion (with Detroit in 2002 and 2 as an executive with the Kings in 2012 and 2014) and would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

How was he acquired? July 29, 1994, the Los Angeles Kings traded Luc Robitaille to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Rick Tocchet and a 1995 2nd Round Draft Pick (Pavel Rosa).

1994/95 Leaf Limited Luc Robitaille #88

If you hear the nickname "The Professor", you might think of the street baller. Before the streetballer, there was Igor Larionov. He is considered one of the best Russian players ever. Drafted in the 1985 NHL Draft, however, Soviet authorities prevented him from actually playing in the NHL. After 8 years of being outspoken over the NHL snub, he was finally allowed to join the team that drafted him, the Vancouver Canucks. Larionov would play for Vancouver for 3 seasons before being left unprotected in the 1992 NHL Waiver Draft where he would be claimed by the San Jose Sharks. From 1993-mid 1996 Larionov would then be traded to the Detroit Red Wings. This is when his career took off as he was one of the "Russian Five" for Detroit. With the Red Wings, Igor would win Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002. In 2003, Larionov would play in his last season in the NHL by suiting up for the New Jersey Devils in 2003. Igor Larionov was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. 

How was he acquired? Igor Larionov was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft in Round 11 at 214th overall.

1990/91 Bowman Igor Larionov RC #63

I'm capping this series off with the #1 overall selection in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. It's Joe Thornton. "Jumbo Joe" spent most of his career with the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks. He's 14th all-time in career points with 1,539. Thornton is a 6-time All-Star, Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner and was even a NHL 2K cover athlete. He will go down as one of the best playmakers to ever play the game. His #19 was retired by the San Jose Sharks in 2024. However, he also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and retired as a Florida Panther. Read that again...as a Florida Panther. I do remember this, but a few people I know didn't. In Jumbo's only season in Florida, he played in 34 games, scored 5 goals and had 5 assists. Shortly after his retirement, Lanny McDonald came calling and Joe Thornton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025. 

How was he acquired? On August 13, 2021, the Florida Panthers signed Joe Thornton to a 1-year contract.

2021/22 OPC Platinum Sunset Joe Thornton #176

That's a wrap for hockey. If you have been reading these, thank you so much! Until the next time...

Can’t take it with you

My wife’s grandfather passed away in September at the age of 95. It was a sad time, but we got through it by recalling memories and supporting each other. I was also proud of my oldest son who insisted on going to the funeral because he wanted to say goodbye. He’s a smart kid and he understood what was happening. When my great grandmother passed away when I was 11, I don’t even think I was ready for something like that. My son handled it better than I did back in 1994 and at the time of my wife's grandfather's passing, my son was only 7. Of course, after a death in the family there is usually a reading of a will. Well, that is where things started getting sticky with my mother-in-law and my wife’s aunt. I just want to stay out of it. One night my wife was on the phone with her mom (on speakerphone in our bedroom) and I guess my wife’s grandfather split things so terribly that it’s starting a divide between my mother-in-law and her aunt. It’s a messy situation. My oldest son heard part of the conversation and if you didn’t know, my son is ridiculously smart. He’s reading at a 6th grade level in 2nd grade and has reading and math scores in those nationwide tests in the 97th and 99th percentile for kids his age. Well, he is picking up what is happening between his grandma and my wife’s aunt and he asked me, “Daddy, what will you leave me when you die?” This is a question I had thought about many times. Do my kids want all these cards I have compiled for years? If someone dumped a collection of stuff that I didn’t have much interest in on me after they passed, I might be a little upset. So, I simply asked him, “I will leave you all my cool cards in my office. Wouldn’t that be cool?” He looked at me confused and said, “No daddy, they would remind me of you and if I looked at them, I would get sad. I wouldn’t want any of them.” 

I know my son is only 8, but I really believe he wouldn’t want any of them, even when he's older. So, I said, “What if I left you my posters, art, guitars and electronics?” He smiled and I knew that he was trying to be nice about the cards. He really doesn’t want anything to do with them. That night I tossed and turned in bed. Eventually, I just got up out of bed and went down to my office. I looked over my 2 PC boxes and really went through the cards; determined to narrow these PC boxes to just 1. After it was said and done, I had One-Touches and top loaders lining my small computer desk (see below.) I spent the next afternoon scanning and listing cards because I can’t take this stuff with me. I sure as heck don’t want to be a burden on my sons or my wife. So, since November I have sold off a bunch of my collection. Also, I have been limiting the cards coming in which is helping cut down the pure volume of cards that I own. 

Pile of unnecessary, but cool 

This photo was just the beginning.

Am I leaving the hobby? I have to think about that one, but for now, no. I'm certainly not having much fun like I had previously. I've been averaging around 2-3 cards purchased per month since November and that stuff is mostly for sets I'm working on. I've moved out probably close to 1,500 cards since that time, with a huge lot scheduled to go out to a friend of mine in May. Collecting cards, sorting, scanning, it all used to be something that I could come down into my office for some "me" time and relieve any stress I may have had. I don't really get that from my collection anymore. Maybe it was my son's disinterest, or maybe this has been something that has built up over time. All I know is when I look at these boxes, I don't get happy, I get stressed, angry and there are days when I just plain ignore it. Also, any time I'm on social media I see videos of guys looking up comps on their phones to argue on price, breakers hitting multiple of the chase cards at a time with total outrage and backlash in the comments, teenage kids carrying around card cases at shows with cards worth 5 figures, people telling everyone to "block this guy" because he scammed them or people complaining about what grade their card got. It's exhausting. There are barely any posts that I see that are happy that revolve around cards unless I'm reading someone's blog posts and even then, some are dipping into the negative factor to collecting and I get it. That's what also sucks. My kids are smart to have no interest in this stuff. Like I have said previously in my blog, I got into this hobby because it helped me learn to read. I have happy memories of those times. They outweigh the current memories of card collecting. 

Am I done blogging? HELL NO. I have a huge box of stuff labeled "Blog Stuff" that I can blog about for a while. Occasionally, I don't mind picking up something I feel is blogworthy and I'm also working on a few sets (1989 Topps and 1994 Topps Special Effects Football), so I can always throw a few posts about progress and whatnot. Also, I have a ton of TTM stuff to post about as I have received some responses, so stay tuned.

As always, thanks for reading. 

He played there? Hockey Edition: Part 3

As I type these words, my oldest son is upstairs playing his guitar and it's making me smile. Thanks for joining me again for the next edition of "He played there?" When I was picking out these particular cards, it dawned on me, a lot of this stack of players are former Pittsburgh Penguins. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. With most of the players nearing the ends of their careers when these particular stops took place, maybe it's a bad thing. Well, either way, I'm starting it off with a former Penguin.

When you hear the name Patrick Marleau surely you think of him as a San Jose Shark. Trust me, we all do. However, during his 1779 game career that saw him surpass 500 goals (566) and 600 assists (631), Marleau made a pit stop here in Pittsburgh.....for 12 total games. Yep. 8 games of regular season hockey which saw him post 1 goal and 1 assist (I saw both of those by the way) and 4 playoff games where he would go scoreless. I was always a Marleau fan, so when the Penguins acquired him, I was excited. When I actually saw him play, my excitement died down a bit. Whatever you want to say about the guy, he is still a great hockey player. Will he ever make it to the Hall of Fame? I don't know. Most people say he wasn't good enough and didn't really win much of anything so it will hurt his chances. They may be right. Who knows? All I do know is in 2020, I got to see Patty Marleau suit up for my hometown team.

How was he acquired? On February 24, 2020, the San Jose Sharks traded Patrick Marleau to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 3rd Round Draft Pick in 2021 (Goalie Benjamin Gaudreau).

2020/21 O-Pee-Chee Patrick Marleau #398

This next player was a legend. Plain and simple. His best years, however, were overshadowed by the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. It's Dale Hawerchuk. "Ducky" as they called him was QMJHL Rookie of the Year, won a Guy Lafleur Trophy as QMJHL Playoff MVP, won 2 QMJHL Championships (1980 and 1981), won 2 Memorial Cup Championships (1980 and 1981), won the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the QMJHL Scoring Champion, won a Michel Briere Memorial Trophy as QMJHL Player of the Year, won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the Memorial Cup MVP and was named CHL Player of the Year and this was before he even stepped on NHL ice. Hawerchuk is an NHL Hall of Famer (inducted in 2001), a Calder Trophy Award winner, played in the NHL All-Star game 5 times, but never won a Stanley Cup. When I was 13, I rooted hard for Ducky. Why you ask? Well, because at one of the stops during his career, he played in St. Louis for the Blues. With me being a die-hard Blues fan growing up, I paid attention to him a little more than I had in previous years. Hawerchuk would only play in 1,188 games. I say the word "only" because I do believe he probably could have kept playing. In his final season in 1996, he had 34 points in 51 games for the Flyers. Hawerchuk suited up for 4 teams in his career (Winnipeg, Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia). His shortest stint was with St. Louis back in 1995/96. He stuck it out with St. Louis until the trade deadline that season. He played great for the Blues. In 66 games, he posted 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points. Also, he would score his 500th career goal while playing for St. Louis. I was so angry when the Blues traded Ducky to the Flyers for Craig MacTavish. MacTavish lasted a season and a half, play in 63 games and only post 8 points. I would have much rather St. Louis have kept Hawerchuk that season. Sadly, in 2020, Hawerchuk passed away due to stomach cancer. RIP Ducky.

How was he acquired? On September 8th, 1995, the St. Louis Blues signed Dale Hawerchuk to a 1-year contract. 

1995/96 Select Certified Dale Hawerchuk Mirror Gold #97

I actually just learned of this players suspension from the NHL back in 1986/87. This player had admitted to previous use of cocaine in a newspaper article and was initially suspended for the entire season. However, he was reinstated after 8 games. That was a pretty big hint. He was also named as one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history. Give up? It's Borje Salming. Salming is a Toronto Maple Leaf's legend. He still is their career goals, assists, points and best career plus-minus for a defenseman leader. Also, he was the first Swedish player and the 2nd European player (Vladislav Tretiak) to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. After 16 years of playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Salming would spend his last season in the NHL with Detroit Red Wings. In the last 49 games he would play that season, he posted 2 goals, 17 assists for 19 points before hanging up his skates. In 2022, during an alumni game, Salming experienced a twitching motion in his muscles which made him exit the game. It was found to be ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. By November of 2022, Salming would pass away due to this disease. RIP Borje.

How was he acquired? On June 12, 1989, the Detroit Red Wings signed Borje Salmin to a 1-year contract. 

1989/90 O-Pee-Chee Borje Salming #278

Billy Guerin is beloved here in Pittsburgh. Guerin played an integral role in the Penguins Stanley Cup championship in 2008/09. That summer, I met Guerin at a Dick's Sporting Goods store near my house. He was a very nice guy and spent time with everyone that showed up that day. Currently, Guerin is the General Manager of the Minnesota Wild. It's no wonder that Guerin would feel comfortable in the GM's office as he played for 8 different teams during his 1,263 games in the NHL. Billy G played for the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, oh and the San Jose Sharks. I remembered all of these stops except for his time with San Jose. That's why we're here today to talk about him. Guerin was a trade deadline addition for the 2006/07 San Jose Sharks. He would play in 25 games total for them (16 regular season and 9 playoff games) before heading back east to play with the Islanders. 

How was he acquired? On February 27, 2007, the St. Louis Blues traded Bill Guerin to the San Jose Sharks for Jay Barriball, Ville Nieminen and a 2007 1st Round Draft Pick that ended up being David Perron. 

2007/08 Fleer Ultra Bill Guerin Gold Medallion #36

Mike Vernon was constantly told he was too small to play goalie. Vernon would laugh at the naysayers to make it to the NHL, make 5 All-Star teams, win 2 Stanley Cups, win 385 games (18th All-Time), win the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy, oh and also get inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2023). When you think of Vernon, of course you think of him as a Calgary Flame or a Detroit Red Wing, hell, or even a San Jose Shark. Do you remember Mike Vernon as a member of the Florida Panthers? Well, I sure as heck didn't. He would play 34 games for the Panthers during the 1999/00 season. Vernon even led them to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. You would think after helping the team get back to the playoffs that your GM would reward you with another contract, but Panthers GM Bryan Murray did the exact opposite. When it came time to protect players from the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft, Murray left Vernon unprotected. Vernon would be claimed by the Minnesota Wild but then dealt immediately for Dan Cavanaugh and an 8th Round Draft Pick to the Calgary Flames where he would end his career. 

How was he acquired? On December 30th, 1999, the San Jose Sharks traded mike Vernon and a 2000 3rd Round Draft Pick to the Florida Panthers for Radek Dvorak.

2000/01 Topps Mike Vernon #65

Clark Gillies was an exceptional baseball player. In 1970, at the age of 16, he signed with the Houston Astros and played 3 years of minor league baseball in Covington, Virginia before moving back to Canada to play major junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the WHL. Gillies would eventually be selected in the 1st Round of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft by the New York Islanders. Gillies was an integral part of the Islanders success playing tough as nails hockey. He would post 30 goals in 4 straight seasons and was part of the "Trio Grande" line in New York with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier. This powerhouse squad would eventually win the Stanley Cup 4 consecutive years (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983). Gillies was also captain of the Islanders from 1976-1979. So, when you think of Gillies, you would associate him with the New York Islanders. However, he would end his career in New York, but not with the blue and orange, however, with the blue and yellow with the Buffalo Sabres. After an abysmal season in 1985/86, where Gillies would only score 4 goals in 55 games, the Islanders left him unprotected in the NHL Waiver Draft where the Buffalo Sabres would claim him. The last 2 seasons of Gillies' career he would play in 86 regular season games and 5 playoff games for the Sabres before calling it a career after the 1987/88 season. Gillies would die of cancer on January 21, 2022. RIP Clark.

How was he acquired? On October 7, 1986, the Buffalo Sabres claimed Clark Gillies off of waivers from the New York Islanders.

1988/89 O-Pee-Chee Clark Gillies #80

Because it's the time of year to give, I'll give you guys another former Pittsburgh Penguin. Mark Recchi! The Recching-Ball as he is referred to here in Pittsburgh was always fun to watch. He was short but played like he was over 6 foot tall. Recchi was so good that eventually he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2017). Mark won the Stanley Cup 5 times (3 as a player, 2 as a development coach). Towards the end of his career though, Recchi would move around a lot. He played for 7 teams total (Penguins, Flyers, Canadiens, Hurricanes, Thrashers, Lightning and Bruins). He had multiple stops with Pittsburgh (3) and Philadelphia (2). His shortest stint with a team was with the Carolina Hurricanes (20 regular season games, 25 playoff games). However, he would hoist the Stanley Cup in that lone season with the team. When the trade was made from Pittsburgh to Carolina, I thought the assets the Penguins received would have worked out, but sadly, the trade was a bust for Pittsburgh. It's ok, I'm happy that Recchi got to win another cup.

How was he acquired? On March 9, 2006, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Mark Recchi to the Carolina Hurricanes for Krys Kolanos, Niklas Nordgren and a 2007 2nd Round Draft Pick used on Kevin Marshall.

2005/06 Parkhurst Mark Recchi #98

I don't know why, but I never liked Brian Propp as a kid. Maybe because he played on a lot of teams that I considered a rival of teams I liked. Who knows. When I remember Propp, I remember him as a Flyer or a North Star. He was one of the better players on the North Stars team that the Penguins defeated to win their first Stanley Cup on my 9th birthday. My family and I rooted so hard against Brian Propp then, maybe that is where my dislike of the guy came from. I couldn't tell ya. He was good though. He was almost a point per game player in the NHL (1,016 games, 1,003 points). He suited up for the Flyers, North Stars, Whalers and Bruins. For the life of me, I do not recall him suiting up for the Bruins, but hockeydb and Upper Deck say otherwise. Propp played a partial season with Boston in 1989/90 by playing in 14 games, scoring 12 points. When I was looking for board games in my old closet at my parents' house, I stumbled upon the card you see below. It was laying on its side unprotected, and I picked it up and my mom asked, "Who's that dear?" I said, "Brian Propp...for the Bruins?" Why my mom, who is the cleanest, neat freak known to man didn't pick that card up for all that time is a little fishy to me. That night, I went home with a shoe box of junk wax hockey cards of mine and I have a feeling this was planned by my mom. So, thanks mom!

How was he acquired? On March 2, 1990, the Philadelphia Flyers traded Brian Propp to the Boston Bruins for a 1990 2nd Round Draft Pick (Terran Sandwith).

1990/91 Upper Deck Brian Propp #2

Chris Chelios was a terrific player that hung around a little too long in the NHL. He loved playing so much towards the end of his career, he spent 48 games in the AHL. You obviously know that he played for the Canadiens, Blackhawks and Red Wings. What you may not know is that he retired as an Atlanta Thrasher. At 48 years of age, Chelios would get called up to the NHL by Atlanta Thrashers from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL in March of 2010 to play in his final 7 NHL games of his illustrious career. He would go scoreless and only get on the scoresheet as a minus -2. Finding a card to commemorate this was a toughie since he only has 1 card of him in a Thrasher uniform. When I looked this up, I realized I did have the card. I have a bag of commons that I keep, and I want to use for an art project that is in my head, and the Chelios was in that bag. So, enjoy.

How was he acquired? On March 2nd, 2010, the Atlanta Thrashers signed Chris Chelios.

2010/11 Score Season Highlight Chris Chelios #17

Only 23 players have scored 60 goals in an NHL season. Some of the players on that list might surprise you. Steve Shutt, Reggie Leach and Lanny McDonald kinda surprised me. One name that didn't was Dennis Maruk. This is because I read Ken Reid's book: Dennis Maruk: The Unforgettable Story of Hockey's Forgotten 60-Goal Man. It's a decent read. I read it while on vacation one year at Hilton Head. Maruk played for the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Cleveland Barons and the California Golden Seals. He would have his best years in Washington though. However, his rookie season, he was no slouch. In 80 games with the Seals before they moved to Cleveland, he posted 30 goals and 32 assists. His career seemed so wild to me. You see ups and downs and a stint in the IHL for 5 games. Really just wild. A guy who posted 50 goals and then 60 the next year should be a superstar in the league, and he never really got treated like one. Anyways, if someone thinks of Maruk, they usually associate him with the Capitals or North Stars, but down below, you will see him with the Seals where he got his start in the NHL.

How was he acquired? On June 3rd, 1975, the California Golden Seals drafted Dennis Maruk in round 2 at 21st Overall in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft.

1976/77 Topps Dennis Maruk RC #86

Last, but not least, I'm ending it with Brett Hull. My childhood favorite player. Nowadays, I can't even stand the guy. Friends of my dad who had him on their plane said he wasn't a nice guy at all. I didn't want to believe them, but now I think they were right all along. We are here to talk about where he played though, so moving on! Hull was coming off a 25-goal season for Detroit and Wayne Gretzky had just signed on as the coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. So, before the 2004 season, Hull signed with the Coyotes to get coached by his buddy Gretzky. However, due to the lockout of the entire 2004/05 season, Hull wouldn't play with the Coyotes until the 2005/06 season. Brett wouldn't last very long with the Coyotes. After only 5 games and 1 assist, he called it a career. Fun fact about the card, I actually found this in a $1 bin at a card show. I snatched it up so fast!

How was he acquired? On August 6th, 2004, the Phoenix Coyotes signed Brett Hull to a 2-year $4.5million contract. 

2005/06 Upper Deck Game Jersey Brett Hull #J-BHu

As always, thanks for reading!