IP Success: Jordin Tootoo

  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.

TTM: Patric Hornqvist

Patric Hornqvist has led the Nashville Predators in goals in two of the past three seasons, setting a career high with 30 in 2009-10.  Hornqvist has yet to find his stride in the play-offs, scoring 5 pts in 19 career play-off games including one assist in the recent 5 game series win against the Detroit Red Wings.  Hornqvist will have to produce like he has in the regular season, to give the Predators a chance of winning the Stanley Cup this season.  So far, Hornqvist has been a solid TTM returner in his brief career.  I received 2 of 2 from Mr. Hornqvist, taking 51 days.

TTM: Anders Lindback

Nashville Predators back-up goalie Anders Lindback heard his name mentioned a few times before the trade deadline.  Stuck behind the 2010-11 Vezina Finalist and 2011-12 games played leader, Pekka Rinne, Lindaback has only appeared in 14 games this season.  With Rinne signed through 2019, Lindback could have a hard time getting any playing time in the years to come unless he is traded or the Predators let Lindback walk this off-season.  Lindback will be a RFA this summer.

I sent Mr. Lindback 2 cards a a picture to sign.  He signed all three and also signed and returned the extra copy of the pictured offered for him to keep.  

TTM: Pekka Rinne

A 4 of 3 return from 2010-11 Vezina Finalist Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators.  Pekka signed both cards and signed 2 pictures, one personalized.  I had sent 2 copies of the picture with the offer he could keep the extra, but he signed both and returned them.  Nashville continues to be an offensively-challenged team.  They'll only go as far a Rinne carries them.

88-89 OPC Tribute: Kane, Thomas and Smith

 Here comes a long overdue update for the 88-89 OPC Tribute Set.  Patrick Kane has made a name for himself, on and off the ice.  The 1st overall pick from the 2007 NHL draft has made a Sylvain Turgeon card worth more than a dime, won a Calder Trophy, partied hardy, punched a cabbie, harnessed the power of the mullet, and scored the 2010 Stanley Cup winning goal.  If he could learn to use a mouthguard he could be unstoppable.

  Tim Thomas has been finding almost everything stoppable of late.  Thomas is a two time Vezina trophy winner and last year's Conn Smyhte winner from the Stanley Cup Champions, Boston Bruins.  Tim Thomas got a late start in the NHL, only playing NHL 4 games before age 31.  Tim Thomas was originally a 9th round draft pick, 217th overall,  by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994.  He later spent time in the Edmonton Oilers farm system before signing with the Boston Bruins in 2002.  Thomas is  great inspiration for player still toiling in the minors in the mid-20's.

  Craig Smith has been an early surprise contender for the rookie scoring race.  A 4th round pick from 2009,  Smith is currently second in rookie points behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  If Smith keeps his scoring pace up, he could be a finalist for the Calder Trophy.  If not, Smith might best be remembered for his empty net miss.  He had better luck attacking empty nets while playing with Wisconsin.  Ain't Karma a bitch?

 

88-89 OPC Tribute: Subban, Weber and Dionne

  P.K. Subban and Shea Weber are cards 44 and 45. Subban, who burst on the scene in the 2009-10 play-offs, made the All-Rookie team in 2010-11 and the flamboyant young star has a bright future with the Montreal Canadiens.  Nashville Predators defenceman, Shea Weber, is a six year veteran and a first team All-Star in 2010-11.  He finished 2nd in the Norris trophy balloting but took home first place for his play-off beard.

    

#44 - P.K. Subban

#45 - Shea Weber

    Marcel Dionne is 5th all-time in career points, 1771, and 4th all-time in career goals, 731.  He was drafted 2nd overall in 1971 by the Detroit Red Wings.  The Wings finished out of the play-offs each of his first four years, prompting Dionne to test free agency.   A deal was worked out the Los Angeles Kings, and Marcel Dionne help the Kings make the play-offs six straight years.  The Kings were never able to get to the Stanley Cup, or not even the semi-finals.  Frustrated, Dionne asked for a trade and he finished his career with the New York Rangers.  In 1988-89, his final season, Dionne got to play beside his teenage rival and the only player chosen ahead of him in the 1971 draft, Guy Lafleur. Despite Dionne great individual numbers, he never had any team success other winning the 1976 Canada Cup.  His one chance at winning a major junior championship was the infamous 1971 Richardson Cup, which he played against Guy Lafleur.

#108 - Marcel Dionne

88-89 OPC Tribute: Yandle, Rinne, and The Great One

  Keith Yandle scored finished 3rd in points by a defenceman last season and appeared in his first all-star game.  A star in the making Yandle had increased his points total in every season he has player so far.

#24 - Keith Yandle

  Pekka Rinne starts his 4th season as the starting goalie of the Nashville Predators, can this be the year he breaks into the elite tier of goalies?  While you ponder, check out some of his past work.

#25 - Pekka Rinne

   Wayne Gretzky.  The Great One.  The only player to score over 200pts in a single season.  894 career goals.  2857 career points.  4 Stanley Cups.  9 Hart Trophies.  10 Art Ross Trophies.  A 2 part Legends of Hockey video.  The Great One.  Wayne Gretzky.

#99 - Wayne Gretzky

Part 1

Part 2