My life with the Cardboard Gods and the games they play.
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| 1990's Hottest Card |
Getting an in-person auto is quite an achievement when you live in the Arctic Circle. If you did get one, most people would bet it'd be Jordin Tootoo, and most people would be right. Tootoo is a spokesperson for Canadian North, an airline that services the Arctic. This week Canadian North and Jordin Tootoo made several stops in the Western Arctic. Tootoo is the first Inuk to make the NHL and is a inspiration to aboriginals accross Canada, especially in the North. Tootoo appeared at the school's gym, spoke about some of the obstacles he has overcame, such as his older brother's suicide and his battle with sobriety. There were a few presentations and Tootoo even did some drum dancing with a group of kids. The afternoon ended with Mr. Tootoo signing autographs. 
Who doesn't like a good goalie fight? Rick Dipietro's mom, that's who. Otherwise everybody loves goalie fights. Goalies rarely get involved in the fisticuffs. It takes a lot of effort. It's not like the skaters who already part of the scrum. For the goalies to meet, one, or both, have to skate across the ice and then receive the dreaded leaving the crease penalty. It takes a lot of effort to get a goalie fight going but for some goalies it must be high on their bucket list since not only do they get into the fight, they give up their shutout to do so. There have been three goalies who have giving up a shutout bid with 7 minutes or less left in the game, and got a into a fight instead. How many can you remember?
I thought this one was a goner. Sent on September 20, 2011 and received on June 14th, 2012. It was postmarked on June 1st, so I guess it got shuffled to the bottom of Joe's fan mail pile or it got lost under the car seat. Either way, it's great to see back. Joe Thornton is the only Art Ross Trophy winner to have been traded mid-season. An Olympic Gold medalist in 2010, Thornton has yet to reach the Stanley Cup Final. It may seem like Thornton, who played his 1000th game last season, has been around forever but he's only turning 33 this summer. Still, the Sharks window for the Cup could be closing as there regular season points have decreased in each of the past four seasons.
Joe Pavelski is a player who seems on the cusp on breaking through to stardom. Although it seems that way for the past few years. Pavelski put his name on the map with a strong 2009-10 play-offs, leading the Sharks in scoring and potting 3 game-winning goals. His +6 that play-offs was 17 points higher than team captain Joe Thornton, -11. Pavelski has since established himself as a consistent producer, netting a career high 31 goals in 2011-12. Can Pavelski make the jump to All-Star? The Sharks will need him to if they hope to capture Lord Stanley. Mr. Pavelski signed 2 of 3, keeping a card, c/o the San Jose Sharks. He signed a Donruss card and a team issued oversized card.
Craig Anderson was originally drafted 77th overall in the 1999 NHL entry draft by the Calgary Flames. Anderson and the Flames couldn't come to a deal, so Anderson was available to be redrafted in 2001. Anderson was drafted by his hometown team, the Chicago Black Hawks. Anderson wouldn't find success in the Windy City as he went 12-26-6 over the course of three seasons with the Hawks. After a three year stint as a back-up with the Florida Panthers, Anderson won a starting job with the Colorado Avalanche, a team expected to be one of the worst in the NHL. With Anderson's help, the Avs finished 2nd in their division before bowing out in the 1st round of the play-offs. 2010-11. turned out to be the season many were expected the Avs to have the previous year. The Avs finished the season with the 2nd worst record in the NHL. Anderson played his way out of Colorado and late in the season, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators. After the trade, Anderson excelled and played some of his best hockey in his career. In 2011-12, Anderson saved his best for the play-offs, helping the Senators push the #1 seed New York Rangers to a 7 game series. 
Sergei Gonchar established himself as one of the top offensive threats from the blueline at the turn of the century, aka year 2000. Gonchar scored the 2nd most points, 504, by a defenceman from the 1999-2000 season to 2008-09. Gonchar's point production has dropped off since signing with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent in 2010. Gonchar has recently been mention in several trade rumours, such as being sent to Philadelphia, as the Senators try to cut costs while opening the vault to resign RFA and fellow blueliner, Erik Karlsson. Mr. Gonchar signed 3 of 3 and actually signed in the signature box on the custom picture. Thank you, Mr. Gonchar.
The Florida Panthers used thier 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft to select forward Jonathan Huberdeau. Huberdeau helped led the St. John Seadogs to win the 2011 Memorial Cup, and was selected as the tournament's MVP. After a strong preseason with the Panthers, Huberdeau was sent back to the QMJHL to continue his development. 2011-12 was an injury plagued season for Huberdeau, but he still managed to score 72 points in only 37 games. The Panthers are loaded with top prospects and the future is bright in Florida. Mr. Huberdeau signed 2 of 2, plus signed the extra copy of each photo, via the St. John Seadogs. 
