Sunday morning homily I

Looking back, I suppose I could have waited. There's plenty of work to be done around the house. There was research for future postings that needed doing. Heck, I even could've taken a few naps.

But once tips started rolling into Hound Central 4.0 that some Tampa Bay Lightning players were taking part in informal practices at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, it was hard to resist the urge.

The cardbooks were ready, with two to four cards for most players arranged in alphabetical order. More than six dozen pucks were lined up, too. And, for good measure, the Houndmobile, my reliable 1998 Ford Taurus with nearly 230,000 miles on it, had a topped-off tank.

In all, I made three trips over to Brandon. In terms of hounding, some trips were better than others. But, more than anything, the trips went a long way in getting over my hockey withdrawal.

Even though I'd taken Colin to hockey skating lessons over the summer, and watched kids try out for the Junior Lightning, it just wasn't the same. As much fun as Colin and I have playing street hockey on the back patio, that wasn't enough, either.

No, it took the 60-plus-mile (round-trip) ride, as well as $6 in tolls each trip, to quell my hockey jones. It wasn't just about getting autographs. It was about the game, even if it was practice. It was hockey -- NHL hockey -- up close.

These scenes, culled from each trip, help with the recovery:

~ Watching former linemates Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards, breaking in on goalie Mike Smith during a scrimmage Friday, and then work a sweet give-and-go as Vinny buried the puck;

~ Listening as Richards told of his summer trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where he met up with ex-Bolt Fredrik Modin;

~ Getting a kick out of Brian Bradley, (he's the red blur, above), a member of the original Lightning squad, hold his own against the younger guys;

~ Seeing Mark Recchi, apparently running these precamp practices, start a scrimmage by letting a puck, once balanced atop his head, fall to the ice;

~ Smiling as Jason Ward celebrated a "goal" taken from a nearly impossible angle; and

~ Being amazed that goalie Olaf Kolzig, behind the wheel of a Maserati, would stop and wait for one hound (yes, me) to amble over with items for signing.

Going forward, or for at least this week, I'll spend a little more time on research and writing. But, I do have plans to take at least one ride over to Brandon.

With a little more than two weeks remaining before the start of the Lightning's training camp, held at the St. Pete Times Forum this year, I'm hoping more players, especially some of the new guys like Steven Stamkos, Gary Roberts, Matt Carle and Radim Vrbata, will take part in these sessions.

5 Big Sigs

Each week, throughout the season, I pick five items I'd like to get signed during the next seven days. This season will be no different, only in that I'll start with these precamp practices.

Here's what I'm hoping to add to the collection this week:

~ Vinny Lecavalier (Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, too, if they arrive) on the Team Canada jersey;
~ Chris Gratton, Olaf Kolzig, Paul Ranger, Mark Recchi and Mike Smith (as well as any new arrivals) on the Lightning team jersey;
~ Jason Ward, Gratton, Kolzig, Lecavalier, Ranger, Recchi and Smith (as well as any new arrivals) on the Lightning team helmet;
~ Though unlikely, recent addition Andrej Meszaros on the Lightning puck I had set aside for new Ottawa Senator Alexandre Picard; and
~ Nolan Pratt on a Buffalo Sabres puck (It's for my wife; she's a big fan since his days with the Carolina Hurricanes).

Only in a hockey rink ...

... would you find a $3 roll of hockey tape next to a $1 bag of popcorn inside a vending machine. Makes sense, though, doesn't it?

The tape's a much better deal, too.

I'll take two

I cut my first deal of the season, telling Dallas' Brad Richards if he signed two items for me, I wouldn't ask him for another autograph during these informal skates.

As you can see, he held up his end of the bargain, becoming the only player to sign for me today. As a result, I'll be true to my word.

Richards became the first player to sign the Team Canada jersey (top photo). He also joined a work-in-progress 8x10 that cherry-picks members of the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup Champions squad.

There were other players taking part, including Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier and Paul Ranger, at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. My work schedule, as well as the last day for a couple of copy desk colleagues, necessitated my early departure.

Given the quality of the player who signed, though, it's hard to be disappointed with only two autographs.

In case you're wondering, others skating today were Brian Bradley, Chris Gratton, Olaf Kolzig, Nolan Pratt, Mark Recchi, Mike Smith and Jason Ward.

Got mine

It took a couple trips, but I finally tracked down the McFarlane's Sports Picks NHL Series 19 issue of former Boston Bruins coach Don Cherry.

Given the popularity of his Hockey Night in Canada segments as well as his heroic histrionics in Beantown, I imagine this Cherry issue, the second done by McFarlane's, will be extremely popular and, as a result, perhaps hard to find.

With online prices ranging from $16 (eBay) to $34, I'm glad I picked up mine for $11 at a Toys 'R Us.

Looks kinda good, too, with the replica Bruins jersey I got at 50 percent off. It's No. 7 on Hound Central's 10 Big Sigs.

Win this auto: Olaf Kolzig

Over the years, an occasional lapse in planning produces a duplicate, or "double," autographed card from an NHL player. My pain, as mild as it comes, can be your gain.

I'm kicking off this monthly feature by offering a 1999-00 Black Diamond card autographed by Tampa Bay's Olaf Kolzig. one of the league's nicest signers.

He's been kind over the past few days. This is but one token of my appreciation. The other? Join me, if you can, in doing the right thing.

You'll have to take my word that the signature is authentic (click the image for a closer look), picked up when the Capitals visited Boston.

So, how do you win?

Tell me, in 100 words or less, about your funniest hounding situation. Answers must be left in a comment. Anonymous users must provide name and geographical region. Because we're so deep into August, the deadline will be 11:59 p.m., Sept. 30.

After I read your responses, and I do hope I get some participants here, the winner will be announced and the card will be sent -- at my expense. All I'll need is an address.

On a side note, I'm surprised that no one has taken a shot at the Hockey Quiz. Hound Central regular Brett must be on vacation.

Fan Pack: Vancouver Canucks

Earlier this summer, I spent an e-mail blast to professional hockey teams from North America to Europe asking whether they provided -- free of charge -- fan packs or promotional materials.

At first, I got some bounceback e-mails from bad addresses. Then came e-mails stating that fan packs required a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Yesterday, the wait ended, thanks to the Vancouver Canucks.

Here's my report:

Team: Vancouver Canucks
Date sent: Aug. 15
Date received: Aug. 27
Elapsed time: 12 days
Items received: five player cards perfect for signing: Jeff Cowan, Brad Isbister, Ryan Kesler (shown above), Mattias Ohlund and Byron Ritchie; and a team sticker.

No Vinny? So what!

To be honest, I was hoping to see Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier taking part in an informal practice this morning in Brandon with other Lightning alums, past and present. And though he wasn't on the ice, I certainly wasn't disappointed by the eight skaters who participated.

Taking part were Chris Gratton, Olaf Kolzig, Nolan Pratt (decked out in Sabres gear), Mark Recchi, Brad Richards (wearing his Stars duds), Mike Smith and Jason Ward. Only Gratton (drive-by), Pratt (no one asked) and Recchi (drive-by) didn't sign.

Defenseman Paul Ranger, coming off of shoulder surgery, was even there, watching the fun and games, so to speak, from above the rink. Of course, he stopped after practice (photo above) for the three collectors waiting in the heat and humidity.

I must also admit that I was a bit perplexed by Ranger signing only one card. I suppose that sounds greedy, but he's usually signed multiples for me in the past. It's like I say, though, that one is better than none.

Another skater taking part was Brian Bradley, a member of the original Tampa Bay Lightning and its first All Star, who added this to The Vault.

Despite retiring in late 1999, Bradley looked right at home on the ice, even roofing one shot past Kolzig.

Finally, Ward, who looked quicker on his skates, was the first to sign the 2008-09 Tampa Bay Lightning team jersey.

Pushing my luck?

After getting Tampa Bay's Olaf Kolzig to sign these two pucks, it's probably a good idea for me to take a few days off from hounding before I wear out my welcome. Given the three I scored Tuesday, I've added five pucks from the veteran goalie in roughly 48 hours.

That's not to say, though, that I've run out of items for Kolzig. I still have a few pucks, as well as cards, a mini mask and a goalie stick. Thankfully, I have training camp and a full season in front of me.

Still, getting five pucks from a player of Kolzig's caliber is a solid accomplishment, if I do say so myself.

A few keepers

It was nice to see Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith taking part in this morning's informal practice over in Brandon, diving across the goal mouth to make a save and working on his stickhandling skills.

It was even nicer, though, when he signed the Tampa Bay Lightning and Utah Grizzlies pucks, shown above, as well as a Lightning mini goalie mask, at left, following the session.

I would've had a Dallas Stars puck for him, too, had Dallas' Brad Richards not taken part in the practice.

For the record, the Grizzlies puck was the 1,550th of the collection.

One down, nine to go

I'd be lying if I told you I expected to cross one item off Hound Central 4.0's 10 Big Sigs list before the start of the season.

But when Dallas' Brad Richards signed this Stars puck earlier today, I was able to do just that.

Richards was skating this morning in Brandon, joining a few members, past and present, of the Tampa Bay Lightning for an hour of informal drills.

Get your pucks in a row

Will you be carrying a bunch of pucks into training camp this year? Rather than let pucks roll loose within hounding bags or plastic tubs -- increasing the risk of damaging the logos -- you might want to consider this system.

Using a box from a previous order of pucks, I create four rows using three dividers from a cut-up photo enlargement folder. Then, using scraps of paper, I create file cards, so to speak, for each player, listing the pucks I have for them. This box holds 36 pucks.

Standing the pucks on edge, rather than letting them lie flat, lets me slip the file cards between each players' pucks, creating what I believe is a quick, alphabetical and easy-to-use system. The cards creating the rows keep the pucks from rolling back and forth.

Once signed, I put the pucks in cases for protection and use that, as the rows thin out, to fill in the gaps.

I'd be interested, too, in hearing what others do. Especially, so, if your idea makes it even easier.

Not exactly South Beach

Reports out of south Florida tell me that a trip to Coral Springs over the next few days might be worth your time. It seems quite a few NHL players are tuning up for training camp at the Florida Panthers' practice rink, incredible ICE (that's their capitalization and italicization, not mine).

Monday's signing skaters: Craig Anderson, Wade Belak, Nathan Horton, Viktor Kozlov, Ville Peltonen, Anthony Stewart, Cory Stillman and Tomas Vokoun (looked a little rusty on the ice, I hear).

I've also been told that Ed Belfour, Roberto Luongo and Brendan Witt are skating at most of these sessions.

There are expectations, too, that more NHL players will attend as the calendar nears mid-September.

Breaking the ice

Every autograph hounding season has to start somewhere, so mine began earlier today at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, where two of Tampa Bay's newest faces -- veterans Olaf Kolzig (top row) and Mark Recchi (bottom row) -- put themselves through the paces.

Sure, it's still a couple weeks before training camp opens, but it's nice to see these two guys getting a head start on conditioning for the long season ahead.

Both were very pleasant and willing to sign multiples, as I was the only hound waiting for them. Both, too, commented on specific pucks. Kolzig got a kick out of the Rochester Americans. And, of course, Recchi recognized the Kamloops Blazers puck.

Start saving now

It looks like we could have three hockey card releases before the season begins. The 600-card O-Pee-Chee set looks promising:

2008-09 UD Legends Masterpieces: late August-early September

2008-09 NHL Fleer Ultra: late September-early October

2008-09 NHL O-Pee-Chee: late September-early October

What gives?

I was checking out the Lightning's Web site just now, getting an early start for training camp. I wanted to learn how to pronounce Swedish defenseman Janne Niskala's last name.

Is it NIS-ka-la? Or is it nis-KAL-a? It could even be NISK-ah-la.

It's too bad, though, I couldn't find the correct pronunciation -- a basic step to getting an autograph -- on Tampa Bay's Web site. I don't expect one for, say, goalie Mike Smith. Niskala, however, could use a phonetic pronunciation.

Now, if I want to learn how to pronounce the last name of Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien, a right winger out of Minnesota, all I had to do was visit the Blackhawks' Web site.

Another thing I noticed about the Lightning's homepage: There's no reference to Tampa Bay's 2004 Stanley Cup championship.

The list grows longer

After picking up a couple more boxes of 2008-09 Victory Hockey earlier today, we now have another item to add to the Lots for the Lightning project.

Once we get this jumbo card of Tampa Bay's Marty St. Louis signed, I'm certain that it'll look pretty neat in a frame someplace in Colin's room.

Finding room for it, however, is a different story. There's hardly a spot in his room that isn't covered by pictures, books, autographs, toys and hockey pucks.

The puck has dropped

The last thing I want to do as a blogger is disappoint the growing handful of people who take the time to stop by, either on a daily or weekly basis, this hockey-hounding site.

That's why, as of the moment I punch the "Publish Post" button, Hound Central 4.0, a journal of one hockey hound's pursuit of autographs, takes off -- officially -- for the 2008-09 NHL season.

As you can see, things still look the same. Content, for the most part, will follow an established pattern of multiple reports for every team. And the omnipresent poll will occupy the top of the sidebar. If it's not broken, why fix it?

So, what is new?

Astute readers will know I've already added to the project list, incorporating a Team Canada jersey and a trio of team helmets into the juggling act. I've also added a digital camera to my hounding bag, meaning I'll start posting pictures from hounding sessions. I promise, too, to make the Hockey Quiz a recurring feature.

For the most part, though, Hound Central 4.0 will continue with its inside information, hounding tips and, hopefully, its march toward becoming a must-read for hockey hounds and fans.

If I happen to fall short in any of these efforts, please don't hesitate to remind me.

As always, folks, thanks for stopping by.

What a Daddy does

Though it's a shame that two grown men can't get along, that doesn't mean that a 7-year-old fan of Boston's Patrice Bergeron can't get a helmet and stick signed by the Bruins star.

Granted, we'll have to wait until December. But I know Colin won't walk away empty-handed from our reunion. And I'll be content knowing that I did the right thing.


For the record: The helmet came from the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2007-08 rookie camp and the stickers were bought online. The stick is a Bergeron model. Neither are game-used.

10 Big Sigs

Going into any hockey season, it's a pretty safe assumption that we'll add at least 300 to 400 autographs to the collection. Though I focus on pucks, we get quite a few cards signed, too. Toss in the occasional photo, stick, helmet or jersey and they add up real quick.

This season, however, is no different. Beyond adding to the quantity, selective requests (another term for cherry-picking) made to players on teams that frequent Tampa Bay will certainly add to the quality of the collection.

That's not to say, though, that I don't have a short list of items that I really want to get signed this season. And while I tried to limit it to 10, keeping in the spirit of the title, I resorted to counting by instances.

I hope you can forgive me.

No. 10: Montreal's Saku Koivu on the Canadiens' legends jersey

No. 9: Dallas' Brad Richards on a Stars puck

No. 8: San Jose's Dan Boyle on a Sharks puck

No. 7: A team-signed Boston Bruins jersey

No. 6: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur on a replica jersey

No. 5: Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby on Colin's #87 Penguins jersey

No. 4: Columbus' Rick Nash on Blue Jackets and Team Canada pucks

No. 3: Pucks from Chicago's Patrick Kane (Blackhawks, London Knights and Team USA) and Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks, Team Canada and University of North Dakota)

No. 2: Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Henrik Zetterberg on Red Wings pucks

No. 1: Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin (provided he stays), Columbus' Fredrik Modin (provided he stays healthy) and Toronto's Pavel Kubina on our Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Champions items

Hockey Quiz No. 1

So, think you're pretty smart, don't you?

Well, then, why don't you try these out.

You can even leave your answers in a comment.

Name this logo

As is usually the case, any time I have the slightest inkling that I might slip something past you, one of Hound Central 3.0's most faithful readers humbles me.

In less than three hours after the quiz was posted, Brett correctly identified not just the logo, but didn't miss a beat in all of the other quizzes as well.

Let's see how long it takes before he nails this one, too.

The answers for the last quiz are below.

Hockey Word Association

Steven Stamkos =
Best young goalie =
Pittsburgh Penguins =
Pascal Leclaire =
Victory Hockey =

Hockey, scrambled

Didva Gwadlen =
Darnoby Runcob =
Nasmo Darmony =
Reptite Koalninnee =
Boryn Greher =

Hockey math

Gerry Glovehand gave up 178 goals on 2,065 shots in 69 games. What is Gerry's goals-against average and save percentage?

A.) 2.61 GAA, .912 SP
B.) 2.58 GAA, .914 SP
C.) 2.52 GAA, .917 SP
D.) 2.55 GAA, .915 SP

Answers to the last quiz

Name that logo: Regina Pats, Western Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: Joni Pitkanen, Duncan Keith, Travis Zajac, Gilbert Brule, Kurtis Foster
Hockey math: D. Tony Toesave posted a 2.56 GAA and a .915 SP

What's in your hounding bag?

Besides the dozens of items that you're hoping to get signed, it's important, at least in my opinion, to carry a well-stocked hounding bag on every adventure.

A well-stocked bag is much more than the tools of the trade -- paint pens, Sharpies and a ballpoint pen. No, a top-shelf hounding bag shows that its owner anticipates potential problems and, with the proper planning, provides instant solutions.

Here's what you'd likely find in my hounding bag, which is starting to show its age as it enters its fifth NHL season:

Hounding supplies: DecoColor paint pens, Sharpies (blue, silver and black), a ballpoint pen, 3-inch by 5-inch note cards, photo corners, cardbook shims and an eraser.

Cardboard mailer: These are good to hold photos and keep them from getting bent. A piece of cardboard tucked inside only adds to the rigidity.

Digital camera: This is a recent addition to my hounding bag. Hopefully, I'll remember to take more pictures this year, most likely of Tampa's dealers mobbing third-line wingers and video guys.

Cardbooks: It's amazing what you can do with spiral-bound 4-inch by 6-inch index cards, photo corners, a blue Sharpie and some patience. Set up each page to hold two cards, meaning that you can offer four cards for signing.

I set up mine in alphabetical order, making it easier to find a player's pages by simply flipping through the book until you reach the desired spot.

The blue Sharpie comes in handy for marking a big "X" on spots not covered by cards. More than once, I've had players sign the blank spot next to the card, rather than the card itself. Putting a big, blue "X" is a subtle reminder for them to sign the card.

Creature comforts: Because hounding is seldom a quick-hit affair, often lasting for at least a couple hours, I include some items that make the time spent waiting more palatable: Granola bars or raisins, a source of hydration other than the nearest Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts and an ample supply of quarters to use for parking.

A rain poncho and large plastic bags, big enough for your hounding bag, will prove useful, too, especially down here in Florida. Water and autographs, we all know, don't mix.

If I'm planning on putting in a longer day, I'll often bring a magazine to read and a quick lunch that doesn't need refrigeration (read: peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches, bananas and pomegranate fruit bars or wild berry fruit strips).

First aid: Once a Boy scout, always a Boy Scout. This is all about being prepared for most any minor injury or upset. Here's my first-aid kit: pain relievers, stop-the-trots medication, allergy tablets, cold tablets, antacids, bandages, cough drops, sunscreen, moist towelettes and a washcloth.

Finally, always keep your cell phone charged. It will get you out of more trouble than anything else in your bag. And, in case something were to happen to me, I keep three ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers on the phone's directory.

Points of entry

There's always a point of realization in one's pursuit that branching out only enhances the value of your efforts. While I see no problem maintaining my particular focus -- autographed hockey pucks -- the benefit to building the depth of the collection is crystal clear.

That's why, as we sit on the cusp of an NHL season, a journal's pages more empty than full, Hound Central 4.0 will embark upon another three projects:

Team Canada jersey: Given the many players who've worn the tri-color leaf, this would be easy to fill. I'm thinking, though, that this will be used for cherry-picking. I'm hoping Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos are the first three to sign it.

Colorado's Joey Sakic, Columbus' Rick Nash, San Jose's Joey Thornton and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur would be a darn good start, too.

Team helmets 2008-09: To me, the Lightning is a must-have. Between all the new faces and last season's retooled logo, working this through the season is something I'm good at: a no-brainer.

The main reason I picked Ottawa and Florida is that I won't have too many pucks, don't need too many more cards and, for the most part, they're good-signing teams. So, why not?

Lots for the Lightning: I've been writing about this for some time now. It's funny, too. Without all of the new ownership group's changes, I was looking at a pretty lean year with the Lightning. That's changed now.

The trio joins these existing projects:

~ American-born goalie stick
~ USA Hockey team jersey
~ Slovakian team jersey
~ Team Canada goalie mask
~ 1999 NHL All Star Game helmet

Just a few items, please

One of the new undertakings for the upcoming hounding season will be Lots for the Lightning. From the first trip to training camp until the Lightning's last game, we're going to try to get every last item pictured above signed for the collection.

In fact, Hound Central 4.0 promises to replicate this photo at season's end, showing the fruits of our labor.

Here's the sad thing: I still need to track down a half-dozen pucks. I'm sure, too, that we'll add some other items -- cards and the occasional photo, I suppose -- along the way.

Review: 2008-09 Victory

Sure, the 2008-09 Victory is an entry-level product devoid of top-shelf premiums, but that doesn't mean it isn't being welcomed by hockey card collectors. Not only does it represent the first release of the new season, but it also contains the first non-rookie, and extremely signable, cards of Chicago's dynamic duo, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

The benefits, however, go far beyond its low cost and quick fix to many cases of hockey withdrawal. In the product we found -- 11-pack retail boxes for $9.99 at our local Target store -- each box contained a jumbo card (one of 42 available) suitable for getting signed and putting on display. Each player card also has a pronunciation guide.

Of course, too, we were psyched to snag this Stars of the Game card of Boston's Patrice Bergeron, a favored player in Puckhound's family. The photo must have been taken early in the season, as it shows Bergeron in the Bruins' new duds before he got hurt.

One disappointment, and it really is a minor one, is a bounty of rookie cards from relatively unknown players. Granted, most of Victory's rookie set were late-season call-ups, but selectivity would only add to value.

Still, though, Victory Hockey is a welcome sight and a useful product for hounding. Picking up a box or two can only help us survive the dog days of late summer.

Puckhound's snapshot

Product: 2008-09 Victory Hockey
Vital stats: 200-card base set, 50-card rookie set, gold and black parallels, 50-card Game Breakers insert set and a 50-card Stars of the Game insert set
Something good: A low-price product that provides a quick fix for those of us suffering through hockey withdrawal
Something bad: A bunch of rookies that only the most devout of hockey fans would recognize
Puckhound's score: 2.5 pucks of 5 pucks

Added bonus

Tucked inside 11-pack retail boxes of 2008-09 Victory Hockey is one of 42 jumbo-sized versions of player cards, like this one of Phoenix's Peter Mueller.

Not only are these cards excellent for getting signed, but they also will fit 3.5-inch by x 5-inch openings in picture frames.

Useful, I tell you

One of the better features of the 2008-09 Victory Hockey set is the helpful pronunciation guide listed on the back. Correctly pronouncing a player's name goes a long way toward getting an autograph.

Oh, well

I imagine this hardly factors into Upper Deck's decision over what pictures to use for a player's card, but depicting players in dark uniforms, such as Tampa Bay's home black uniforms, nearly renders this card of Lightning goalie Mike Smith useless for collecting autographs.

At best, I'll have to remember to switch to a silver Sharpie from a blue Sharpie whenever I get Smith to sign this card during the 2008-09 season down here in Humidity Bay.

And seeing that this is among Smith's first Lightning cards, I'm sure quite a few collectors will share in my sentiments.

Who are these guys?

I should be happy to add any rookie cards to the collection, but I must admit my own ignorance to some of the rookie cards pulled from packs of 2008-09 Victory Hockey.

While some cards carried familiar names, such as Columbus' Derick Brassard, Montreal's Corey Locke and Columbus' Steve Mason, there were other cards for players flying under my radar -- Dallas' B.J. Crombeen, Calgary's Tim Ramholt and Phoenix's Pete Vandermeer.

Sure, this is more of a case of my own ignorance, but Victory's rookie crop certainly lacks hockey household names.

Hard at work

For those of you who may believe I've been talking to lawyers over the past few weeks, I now have proof that I've been busy creating the ninth and 10th titles in my suite of hockey collecting blogs:

Sweet Swatches: Fourteen of the sweetest memorabilia cards (primarily swatches of jerseys and patches) in our collection.

Young Guns: A look at our top-shelf Upper Deck Young Guns, the gold standard of hockey rookie cards.

Taken together, I believe all 10 offer one of the most comprehensive arrays of hockey hounding/collecting blogs on the Internet.

Check them out, won't you?

Editor's note: This originally appeared on Hound Central 3.0.

The full run

Though I shared my top five hounding trips for the 2008-09 NHL season down here in Humidity Bay, here's a complete listing of my planned ink-stained campaign:

Preseason

TBD: Lightning training camp
Monday, Sept. 22: Pittsburgh Penguins (Will Sidney sign?) %
Tuesday, Sept. 23: New York Rangers %

Regular season

Saturday, Oct. 11: Carolina Hurricanes (Lightning's home opener) *
Thursday, Oct. 16: New York Islanders
Saturday, Oct. 18: Minnesota Wild (Redemption, please) *#
Tuesday, Oct. 21: Atlanta Thrashers
Saturday, Oct. 25: San Jose Sharks (Welcome back, Dan Boyle) *

Saturday, Nov. 1: Ottawa Senators (Working a team helmet)
Thursday, Nov. 13: Detroit Red Wings *#
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Florida Panthers (Working a team helmet)
Friday, Nov. 21: Nashville Predators *
Wednesday, Nov. 26: New York Rangers

Thursday, Dec. 4: Boston Bruins (Welcome back, Patrice) *#
Saturday, Dec. 6: Buffalo Sabres %
Thursday, Dec. 18: Colorado Avalanche (Another five from Joey?) *
Tuesday, Dec. 30: Montreal Canadiens (Considering a team helmet)

Thursday, Jan. 15: Philadelphia Flyers
Monday, Jan. 19: Dallas Stars (Welcome back, Brad Richards) *#
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Buffalo Sabres
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Montreal Canadiens

Thursday, Feb. 12: Toronto Maple Leafs %
Tuesday, Feb. 17: Chicago Blackhawks (Hello, Mssrs. Kane and Toews) *#
Thursday, Feb. 19: New Jersey Devils
Sunday, Feb. 22: Boston Bruins *

Tuesday, March 3: Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday, March 6: St. Louis Blues *
Thursday, March 19: Washington Capitals %
Tuesday, March 24: Columbus Blue Jackets *

Tuesday, April 7: Pittsburgh Penguins %
Thursday, April 9: Washington Capitals (Lightning's home closer)

* = One of the 12-plus games we'll attend this season
# = Part of Top Five trips
% = Optional trip

Editor's note: This posting originally appeared July 29, 2008, on Hound Central 3.0.

Lots for the Lightning

Given all of the movements made by the Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership, with the team drafting Steven Stamkos first overall and signing such free agents as Olaf Kolzig, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts, I could very well add another 75 pucks from the Lightning alone this season:

Len Barrie (co-owner): Lightning and Kamloops Blazers

Brandon Bochenski: Lightning

Matt Carle: Lightning and San Jose Sharks (now plays for Philadelphia)

Steve Downie: Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers

Steve Eminger: Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals new

Adam Hall: Lightning, Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins

Riku Helenius: Lightning

Andrew Hutchinson: Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes (no longer with team)

Olaf Kolzig: Lightning, Lightning Prague Premiere game-dated, Washington Capitals new logo, Washington Capitals eagle, Washington Capitals original logo, 2000 NHL All Star Game, Washington Capitals 25th anniversary, 1998 NHL All Star Game, Rochester Americans, Portland Pirates and Tri-City Americans

Oren Koules (co-owner): Lightning and Saw DVD cover

Lukas Krajicek: Lightning and Vancouver Canucks

Tom Kurvers (co-assistant GM): Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils

Brian Lawton (director of hockey operations): Lightning and Minnesota North Stars

Vincent Lecavalier: Lightning three-stripe (above), Lightning Prague Premiere game-dated, 2008 NHL All Star Game and Notre Dame Hounds

Claude Loiselle (co-assistant GM): Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Quebec Nordiques

Ryan Malone: Lightning

Barry Melrose: Lightning, NHL 2Nite, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets (No longer with team)

Andrej Meszaros: Lightning

Vinny Prospal: Philadelphia Flyers

Kari Ramo: Tampa Bay Lightning-Norfolk Admirals (at left), Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons

Mark Recchi: Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and Kamloops Blazers

Gary Roberts: Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Smaby: Lightning, Tampa Bay Lightning-Norfolk Admirals first year affiliation, Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons

Mike Smith: Lightning, Lightning Prague Premiere game-dated, Dallas Stars and Utah Grizzlies

Steven Stamkos: Lightning, Lightning three-stripe, Lightning Prague Premiere game-dated, NHL practice puck, Team Canada and Sarnia Sting

Rick Tocchet (interim head coach): Lightning, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and Phoenix Coyotes geodesic design

Mike Vernon (special assistant to Brian Lawton): Lightning, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks and Portland Winter Hawks #

Radim Vrbata: Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes (no longer with team)

Wes Walz (assistant coach): Lightning, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild inaugural season (at left)

Ty Wishart: Lightning, San Jose Sharks and Prince George Cougars

I'll have no pucks for Jussi Jokinen (no longer with team), Jeff Halpern, Mike Lundin, Shane O'Brien (no longer with team), Paul Ranger and Martin St. Louis.

# provided he visits Tampa

Total pucks collected (through 02.26.08): 60

Editor's note: This post originally appeared on Hound Central 3.0.