Lost Rookies: 1986-87 OPC Mark LaForest

  Mark "Trees" LaForest played in parts of six NHL seasons, but yet only had a single NHL card.  A bit of a late bloomer, not only was Mark undrafted by the NHL, he didn't make the OHL until he was 19 years old.  After playing his overage season in the OHL with the North Bay Centennials, Mark was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983.

  Mark bounced around the minors for two seasons before putting up solid numbers with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL in 1985-86.  He was called up to Detroit in December of 1985 and made a huge impression in his first NHL game, beating the heavily favoured Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1.  LaForest made 35 saves in the upset.  On January 28, 1986, Mark notched his first career shutout, stopping 26 shots in a 7-0 victory over the Washington Capitals.   Otherwise, there were very few highlights in Mark's rookie NHL season.  He finished 4-21-0, .845, and 4.96 GAA with one shutout.  For the goalie fight fans, there was one highlight as LaForest fought Clint Malarchuk, and the two went at it, "like a couple of hippos, all padding and blubber."

  On a bright note, Laforest was sent down to play in the 1986 AHL playoffs and backstopped the Red Wings to an AHL Calder Cup Championship.  The following season, LaForest spent the majority of the season in the AHL, winning the "Baz" Bastien Trophy as the league's top goalie.  He did spend 5 games in the NHL, going 2-1-0, .892, and 3.30.  During Detroit's surprising play-off run, LaForest was called upon to be the back-up.  During the second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he gave a pair of tickets to a Wings play-off home game to some friends who were living across the boarder, and river, in Windsor.  The friends showed their appreciation, and loyalty, by going to the game with faces painted blue and white in support for the Leafs.   On an unrelated note, LaForest never did play another game with the Red Wings.

1987-88 OPC Mark Laforest.

  The Red Wings traded LaForest to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2nd round pick during the 1987 off-season.  LaForest went 5-9-2, .874, 3.72, with a shutout in 1987-88.  He saw his first career play-off action in the 1988 play-offs.  With the Flyers losing 4-1 in game Four against the Washington Capitals, LaForest replaced starter Ron Hextall between the pipes early in the third period.  The goalie change invigorated the Flyers as they roared with three 3rd period goals and then Murray Craven potted the game winner in overtime.  The win gave the Flyers a 3-1 series lead in the best of 7.  The Flyers tried the same recipe in Game 5 as LaForest entered the game in the 3rd period with the team again down 4 to 1.  They didn't get the same result as the previous game as the Flyers lost 5-2 and Laforest was kicked from the game for being the third man in a fight.  Hextall played the rest of the series as the Flyers went on to lose three straight games, including game 7 in overtime, and the series.  

1988-89 OPC Mark LaForest

  Mark played another season as Hextall's back-up for the Flyers, going 5-7-2, .871 and 4.12.  He lost his back-up gig when the Flyers traded for Ken Wregget of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1989 trade deadline.  He finished the season with the Hershey Bears of the AHL.

1989-90 OPC Mark LaForest

  In a neat twist, the Flyers traded LaForest the the Maple Leafs in September of 1989, for a pair of late round draft picks.  An early season injury to Jeff Reese, opened the door for LaForest.  After winning his first game as a Maple Leaf, a 8-4 victory over the Washington Capitals, LaForest endeared himself to the Leafs fans by dropping the blocker and fighting New Jersey Devils goalie Sean Burke.  Laforest became part of a 1A-1B goalie timeshare with Allan Bester, which ended in January when LaForest injured his knee when he fell on the ice... while walking in front of his house.  This reopened the door for Jeff Reese to regain the net and Laforest was the odd man out when the play-offs began.

  Laforest set a career high with nine wins during the 1989-90 season and with the junk wax boom of 1990, he finally got a rookie card.  His one and only NHL card was from the 1990-91 Upper Deck set.  He was shutout of all the other sets.  

1990-91 OPC Mark Laforest

  Laforest was traded to the New York Rangers in the 1990 off-season along with another feisty player, Tie Domi for Greg Johnston.  Buried in the Rangers depth chart behind former Vezina winner, John Vanbiesbrouck, and future star, Mike Richter, LaForest never played a game for the New York Rangers.  He spent the entire 1990-91 season with the Binghamton Rangers of the AHL, where he won his second career "Baz" Bastien Trophy as the AHL's top goalie.  He is one of only two goalies to win the "Baz" Bastien Trophy multiple times. LaForest played two seasons playing for Binghamton in the AHL.

  Mark was left unprotected by the Rangers in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft.  He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators as the 4th, and final, goalie of the draft.  LaForest never made the team.  He spent the majority of his two seasons as a Senator in the AHL.  He did not make his debut as an Ottawa Senator until March 4th, 1994.  Like all Senators goalies during the early 90s, he didn't fare too well, posting a 0-2-0, .823 and 5.59 in five games.  

  LaForest never had a card as a Senator.  I was not much of a hockey card collector in the mid-90s and I am not much of a fan of any of the sets.  This was when foil became popular and foil is difficult to replicate in photoshop.  Not a design I can be proud of, font issues again, but I felt I should post a Senators card of LaForest.  

1994-95 Upper Deck Mark LaForest

  LaForest was without a NHL contract following thr 1993-94 season and spent the rest of his career playing in the minors.  He retired from professional hockey in 1997.  He is still active in NHL Alumni games and has played in Alumni Outdoor Classics for the Flyers and Maple Leafs.

  

1986-87 OPC #278 Mark LaForest (RC)

1986-87 OPC #278 Mark LaForest (RC)

2012-13 Fleer Retro with 1992-93 Fleer Ultra Retro

  I am excited about the insert sets in 2012-13 Fleer Retro.  In particular, I love the 92-93 Fleer Ultra Insert set. I don't think I'll be busting a box at $200+.  I got suckered in by Panini Signatures, so I learned my lesson, for the time being.  I am planning on going to the Toronto Sports Card Expo and I will definitely be hunting down the new 92-93 Fleer Ultra inserts.  I have some good childhood memories with that set.  In the meantime, I put together a template and fired out some cards for guys who weren't part of the set.

Steve Ott

Brandon Prust

Chris Neil

Kevin Westgarth

Matt Martin

Brian McGrattan

TTM Success: Zdeno Chara

    Zdeno Chara is arguably the most intimidating player in the game.  He 's the tallest player in the NHL.  He owns the NHL record for the hardest shot, 108.8 MPH, in the All Star skills competition.  He help led the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2011.  He has six career Gordie Howe Hat Tricks and is a fearsome fighter.  "Big Z" is one of the top players in the game today.  He also another one of the future stars that was jettison during Mike Milbury's days as GM with the New York Islanders.  Chara, along with the 2nd overall pick in 2001, Jason Spezza, were traded to the Ottawa Senators for Alexei Yashin and Bill Muckalt.  Chara signed 3 of 3 and keep both extra copies of the customs.  One thing about this return, he didn't sign his first name as he usually does.  There are other returns with the shorten signature. 

 

TTM: Colin Greening

  This return marks the end of the longest TTM drought since I first started to regularly get TTM returns.  It had been 17 days since I last had a success.  I have slowed down a bit in sending them out.  One good sign is that this was a TTM I sent out at the end of the last year's regular season.  Hopefully I'll get a few more that was sent out around that time.  Colin Greening was a 25 year old rookie last season.  Drafted in the 7th round of 2005, Greening would play 4 years at Cornell in the NCAA before making his professional debut in the AHL in 2010-11.  He would finish that season in Ottawa and then played all 82 with the Senators in 2011-12.  Greening would score 37 points and get a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in his rookie season.  Also of note, Greening is a Newfie. Greening has already cracked the top ten in the NHL's all-time top scoring Newfoundlanders.  Greening returned both copies of the picture.  He originally signed the pictures in pen and then resigned them in marker. 

TTM: Alexei Yashin

  Alexei Yashin is often best remember for his faults as opposed to his skill.  Yashin has been villianfied for his contract disputes with the Ottawa Senators and then used as a whipping boy for his lackluster performance after signing a monster contract with the New York Islanders in 2001. 

  In 1998-99, Yashin set career highs in goals, 44, assists, 50, and points, 94.  He was the runner-up in the Hart Trophy voting, and was a 2nd Team All-Star.  Yashin followed up his career season, by holding out the entire 1999-2000 season, which was the last season on his contract.  Yashin had also held out on 1995-96.  After missing the 99-00 season, Yashin attempted to claim his free agent status.  A NHL Arbitrator refused Yashin claim as free agent, until Yashin honoured the final year of his previous contract.  Yashin would play one final season as an Ottawa Senator, leading the team, and league, in the most disliked player category.  Thankfully, for Ottawa Senators fans, the New York Islanders has a GM named Mike Milbury.  The Islanders traded Bill Mucklat, Zdeno Chara and the 1st overall pick in 2001, Jason Spezza, to the Senators for Yashin.  Milbury then signed Yashin to a 10 year, 87.5 million dollar contract.  Yashin never lived up to Islanders investment and his contract was bought out by the Islanders after 5 season.  Although Yashin hasn't played in the NHL since 2007, he has attempted a few comebacks with the Senators and Islanders, most recently in 2011.  Surprisingly, none of his comebacks have gotten past the contract negotiations.

  While I remember the off-ice drama Yashin created, I will always remember watching him play in person.  I saw the Senators play the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2000-01 season.  Yashin had the puck on a string.  He was easily the best player on the ice, when he was in the mood.  If he would have came to play every night, he would easily be in the ranks of Yzerman, and Sakic; the player's whose contracts he compared himself to.

TTM: Craig Anderson

 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.
  Mr. Anderson signed 3 of 3. c/o the Ottawa Senators.  He also signed and returned the extra copy of the picture.

TTM: Sergei Gonchar

  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.

TTM: Jonathon Cheechoo

Jonathan Cheechoo faded away as fast as he burst onto the scene.  Cheechoo led the league in goals in 2005-06, but within four seasons, was playing in the minors.  Cheechoo benefited greatly from the San Jose Sharks trading for Joe Thornton.  Before the trade Cheechoo had 7 goals and 15 pts in 24 games.  After the trade Cheechoo had 49 goals and 78 pts in 58 games.  Each season afterwards, Cheechoo's production dropped, until he was traded in 2009, to the Ottawa Senators, in a package deal for Dany Heatley.   In 2009-10, Cheechoo scored 5 goals in 66 games and had his contract bought out by the Senators at the end of the season.  Cheechoo has played in the AHL the past two season, trying to regain his scoring touch.  Cheechoo is from Moose Factory, a First Nation's community near Hudson Bay in Ontario.  Mr. Cheechoo signed four of four, c/o the Peoria Rivermen.  

  If you haven't seen the Cheechoo song videos, then you really need to.

TTM: Brian Elliott

  Brian Elliott had a horrible finish to the 2010-11 season.  He finished the season with a 3.34 GAA and .893 save percentage.  His season was tainted even more, after finishing the season 2-8-1 with a 3.83 with the Colorado Avalanche, after a late season trade from Ottawa.  Not a good way to sell yourself while heading into free agency.  In the off season, Eliiot signed a two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues, expecting to battle with Ben Bishop for the back-up role behind Jaroslav Halak.  Elliott has responded by setting a NHL single season record for save percentage, .940, and post-WWII record of a 1.56 GAA.
  Even with the amazing season Elliott has had, his name is not being mention in the Vezina Trophy talks.  Many people point out that he only played 38 games.  What do you think?  Is Brian Elliott Vezina worthy?  I think he deserves to atleast be Vezina Finalist.

88-89 OPC Tribute: Karlsson, Campbell, and Neely

Erik Karlsson is currently leading all NHL defencemen in points and in All-Star balloting.  The Senators traded up, 18th overall to 15th, in the 2008 draft to select Karlsson.  Could a Norris Trophy be in his future?  Speaking of Norris Trophy candidates, Brian Campbell has found his game in Florida, after three subpar seasons in Chicago.  Although he helped the Hawks win a Cup in 2010, Campbell was viewed as a major disappointment after signing a large contract in 2008.

#75 - Erik Karlsson

#77 - Brian Campbell

  Cam Neely was inducted into the HHOF after a career shorten by knee injuries.  During the 1991 playoffs Cam Neely injured his knee on a hit by Ulf Samuelsson.  Neely played 22 games over the next two seasons.  In 1993-94, Neely scored 50 goals in 49 games and won the Bill Masterson Trophy.  Neely retired in 1996 after scoring 395 goals in 726 games.  His career 0.544 goals per game is 15th best all-time.  He currently the Vice President of the Boston Bruins.

#116 - Cam Neely

TTM: Don Beaupre

This return from Don Beaupre was sent out October 26th and was received November 21st.  It was sent to his home but the postmark on the return envelope was from his business address.   Beaupre spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota North Stars and the Washington Capitals before finishing his career with stints in Ottawa and Toronto.   Mr. Beaupre signed both cards and a 4x6 for me.  He kept the extra copy of the 4x6.  It is just as exciting to have a player keep a custom as it is to get it back signed.

88-89 OPC Tribute: Halak, Spezza, and Beliveau

  Jaroslav Halak made his mark in the 2009-10 playoffs, where his brillant play helped the 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens upset the President's Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals.  Halak's stellar play helped the underdog Canadiens team make it to the Stanley Cup semi-finals.  In a surprising move, Halak was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the offseason.
  Jason Spezza is a player who always seems to be on the cusp on stardom.  Injuries have played a large role in holding Spezza back.  Spezza has missed an average of 12 games per season.  Spezza shared the lead in Play-off scoring with line mates Daniel Alfredsson and Danny Heatley in 2005-06 with 22pts

#52 - Jaroslav Halak

#53 - Jason Spezza

  When the Montreal Canadiens bought the Quebec Senior League in 1953, they were really only interested in one player, Jean Beliveau.  In the end Jean Beliveau, aka Le Gros Bill, would play 21 seasons, win 10 Stanley Cups, and gain entry into the HHOF.  After his retirement in 1971, Beliveau's name would make it onto the Stanley Cup seven more times as an executive of the Montreal Canadiens.  No other person in history has had his name on the cup as often as Beliveau.

#110 - Jean Beliveau

88-89 OPC Tribute: Alfredsson, Lidstrom, and Forsberg

#38 - Daniel Aflredsson 

  In 2010-11 Daniel Afredsson was limited to only 54 games due to back injuries and posted his lowest points total, 31, and points per game, 0.57, of his career.  The team mirrored Alfredsson's decline as the Senators posted thier first losing season since 1995-96 - Alfredsson's rookie season.

  Alfredsson had back surgery in the off-season and both he and the team are looking forward to making improvements over last season.

  Alfredsson is 11 goals away from 400 career goals.  In 2010-11, Alredsson registered his 1000th point of this career.  Is Alfredsson HHOF worthy?  Unless he does something spectacular in the next year or two, I think he falls short.  Not coming to the NHL until, he was 23 really hurt his career totals.  Although did anyone really want to play for the Senators in the early-mid 90s?

#39 - Nicklas Lidstrom

  Speaking of the HHOF, Niklas Lidstrom will be in on the first ballot.  A seven time Norris Trophy winner and 12 consecutive 1st or 2nd All-Star team selections, Lidstrom is often mention as one the top 5 defencemen of all-time.  Lidstrom also has 4 Stanley Cups and an Olympic Gold Medal.  Previously Lidstrom won a gold medal at the 1991 World Hockey Championship, making him a member of hockey's Triple Gold Club.

#105 - Peter Forsberg

  I didn't mean to go a Swede run, but it just happened.  Peter Forsberg rounds out this update. full of Swedish hockey stars.  Forsberg re-retired in 2010-11 after a 2 game comeback.  He retired a few hours before what was to be his home debut, leaving many fans disappointed.  It is unfortunate that injuries had to play such a significant role in Forsberg career.  Forsberg only once played more than 78 games in a season and that was in his sophomore campaign.  Forsberg sat out the entire 2001-02 regular season in to heal from a rupture spleen and the culmination of previous injuries.  Forsberg returned for the play-offs and led all players with 27 points.

  Forsberg is 10th all-time in points per game with 1.25.  A remarkable accomplishment considering his prime was during the years of the Trap.  Did Forsberg do enough with the time he played to make it to the HHOF?  When healthy, I think he was the dominant all-round player of 90s and will in on the first ballot.

88-89 OPC Tribute: Byfuglien, Duchene, and Greening

#30 - Dustin Byfuglien

   In 2010-11, Dustin Byfuglien switched teams, converted to a full-time defenceman, played in the All-Star game and had his best season of his young career.  The following summer Byfuglien has been in the news for other reasons.  On August 31st, Byfuglien was arrested under suspicion of boating under the influence.   Criminal charges have been pressed.  What was also unearthed was Byfuglien's weight of 286lbs!  40lbs over his playing weight of  the previous season.

  The irony of all this is his Panini Sketch card.  The card on which Byfuglien drew a boat.  That same card sold for over $120 on ebay.  I thought it was a joke, but the card is real.  The details of the sketch cards can be found on the Panini Blog.

#31 - Matt Duchene

   A first-time All-Star in 2010-11, sophmore Matt Duchene led the Colorado Avalanche in scoring during the 2010-11 season.  After finishing third in the Calder Trophy voting in 2009-10, Duchene increased his totals for goals, assists and, therefore, points the following season.
  With the return of Peter Mueller, another season of increase across the board, would not be considered a bold prediction.  That would call for a celebration dance.

#121 - Colin Greening

  Colin Greening is the first 2011-12 rookies to make the set.  Greening played 24 games for Ottawa last year so he still qualifies as a rookie this season.  A player has to play 25 games before losing his rookie eligibility   He also had no rookie cards in 2010-11, so that also still qualifies him for as a rookie for this set.
  In 24 games last season, Greening had 13 points.  Although the more important stat is that he was born in Newfoundland.  On Feburay 1st, 2011, Greening became the 28th player born in Newfoundland to play in the NHL.  Why is this important?  Because my Dad is from Newfoundland and he collects their cards. So here is one more card for my Dad to get.