Spreading the wealth

Though my work schedule limited us to just a gametime hounding session last Saturday, diversity dominated the day when the Carolina Hurricanes traveled to Hockey Bay to play the Tampa Bay Lightning. Still, we were able to add another 23 autographs, including 16 cards, in little more than an hour.

Our haul, which some may view as small in light of other trips earlier this season, also featured top-shelf signatures on pucks, such as Rod Brind'Amour signing this Notre Dame Hounds offering ("Where did you find this?" he asked. "Wilcox, Saskatchewan," I replied.), a Hurricanes mini helmet and a ongoing jersey project.

We wanted to get Carolina goalie coach Tom Barrasso on the right-handed goalie glove, but after signing before the team's morning skate, he wasn't as approachable later in the day.

Bottom line, and this will be a theme for most of our remaining hounding adventures this season, is that quality trumped quantity.

Other highlights from the abbreviated session:

~ Hall of Famer Ron Francis signing a Hartford Whalers puck;
~ Putting inserts to work for Eric Staal;
~ Being thankful that Cam Ward hasn't grown tired of signing;
~ Snagging four big names on the Team Canada jersey; and
~ Getting cards signed by Tim Gleason and Brandon Sutter.

Signing cards, shown at top from left, were Brind'Amour, Matt Cullen, Tuomo Ruutu and Sergei Samsonov.