Autographs from 1-2-16 Fargo Force Game

My wife and I finally had a "date night" last weekend, so of course, we went to a hockey game! The Fargo Force (USHL) ended up losing 3-1 to the Waterloo Black Hawks, but considering this is the first game I have been able to attend this year, I was just happy to be watching some hockey. As an added bonus, Monique Lamoreaux, who won 2 Olympic Silver Medals (2010, 2014) and 4 IIHF World Championships, was signing autographs before the game, and brought her hardware along. We also got to meet Force defenseman Griffin Foulk, who was the featured player signing autographs after the game. We had a great time, and look forward to going to a few more games before the season is over.

Two Mystery 8x10s from FanHQ

While at FanHQ last month for the Zach Parise/Jason Pominville signing, I also shopped around in the store and picked up two "Mystery 8x10 Envelopes." Each contained an autographed 8x10 from a Minnesota professional athlete, so no matter what, I figured I would pull one that I'd at least be ok with.

I decided on purchasing two of them, and here's what I got:

Neal Broten

Normally, this would be a fantastic photo for me to pull. As the first hockey player to win an NCAA National Championship (1979), Olympic Gold Medal (1980), and Stanley Cup (1995), Broten is a Minnesota Hockey LEGEND!

Unfortunately, last year, I got this exact same photo signed By Broten at an autograph show.

Still a great item to add to the collection, though, and something to add as a trader, as well.

Steve Jordan

At least this is a new one. Jordan was a tight end for the Vikings from 1982-1994, and was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls (1986-1991). His son, Cameron, was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1st round (24th overall pick) in the 2011 NFL Draft and plays for the team as a defensive end.

I always enjoy opening up these "mystery envelopes," and will probably get myself a few more the next time I end up there.

Zach Parise & Jason Pominville Signing 12/16/15

Although I live in Minnesota, it's all the way on the western side of the state's border, right next to Fargo, ND, which puts me about 4 hours away from Minneapolis/St. Paul (or as we call them up here, "The Cities"). As such, I rarely get the chance to make it down there, unless there's a big even going on, that makes the day-long round-trip excursion worth it.

Such an event took place Dec. 16th, when Zach Parise and Jason Pominville had an autograph signing at FanHQ in Minnetonka, MN. Parise was a big enough name, for me, to make the trip, and better yet, a player my wife has heard of, which makes it all that much easier to convince her to go. It also helps that Fan HQ is a store located in Minnetonka's Ridgedale Center, and the mall location gave her something to do, instead of standing in line with me for a couple hours.

The event started off with the photo sessions for those who bought tickets. This way, they could just get the photos snapped, and the line moving, before getting into the autographs. It would just eat up too much time for the lines to stop where they were, so that the player could stand up, and the table moved aside for the picture. I will say that both players were absolutely gracious to all the guests who came. I must have been the 100th or so person Parise took a photo with, but he still had a smile on his face, was conversational, and offered his hand for a handshake as I was walking up.

The event was scheduled to go from 7-8 p.m., but both guys stayed until everybody who bought a ticket got an autograph. I think Pominville finally left at about 8:20, and Parise didn't leave until at least 9:15! It was a fantastic experience with two players who were absolute gentlemen.

I definitely went all-out for this one, as I wanted to really make the trip worth it. I got jerseys signed by both guys.

I also wanted to get a 16x20 signed by Parise for my wall. There were some really cool in-game shots that would look great, but I ended up with this print produced by Steiner Sports (where Parise is signed to an exclusive), that was PERFECT to get signed. It isn't framed in this image here, but I have since framed it and put it on my wall, and it is amazing.

As a puck collector, I had to get those, too. I know some people like the black space that an autograph puck provides, but for me, the Official Game Pucks look SO much better. It just seems like a higher quality piece, and to me, all other pucks just look so cheap.

Lastly, I also got a few cards signed. They all were for a specific purpose, as I'm working on the 2014-15 Fleer Ultra and 2013-14 Score sets, and I'd also like to get as many Young Guns rookie cards signed as I possibly can.

That's it for this excursion. It was a fantastic experience overall, and I look forward to the next one. I try to make it to a couple every year, if there's a big event going on. It's just great living in this area, as there are three companies in MSP that put on signings, and they all have Wild players in-house in the next week or so. Fan HQ will be hosting Mikko Koivu and Devan Dubnyk Jan. 13, Crave Sports Company will be hosing Matt Dumba Jan. 11, and AME Sports will be hosting Charlie Coyle and Darcy Kuemper Jan. 11. I won't be able to make any of them in person, but they all do mail-orders, and I have ordered pucks for Koivu and Dumba, an 8x10 of Dubnyk, and sent a puck in for Kuemper and a Young Guns card in for Coyle.

I know I am, and always will be a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, but as far as fan interaction goes, you just can't beat the Minnesota Wild. They are certainly a great "home team" to have.

TTM Returns: Week Ending 12-5-15

Here is a quick look at my TTM returns for the week ending December 5, 2015:

Daniel Briere

Johnny Boychuk

Louis Domingue

Nick Schultz

 Filip Kuba

TTM Returns: Week Ending 11-28-15

Here is a quick look at my TTM returns for the week ending November 28, 2015:

Dan Cleary

Lee Stempniak

Benoit Hogue

TTM Returns: Week Ending 11-21-15

A little behind on these, but here's my TTM returns for the week ending November 21, 2015:

Johnny Gaudreau

Gary Suter

Vaclav Prospal

Beau Bennett Autographed Puck

Real quick, this is simply just a puck I found on Ebay at a really good price. usually, I like to get the Official Game Pucks signed, but if the right deal comes along, I have no problem accepting a signature on an autograph puck. For just $15+shipping, this Beau Bennett puck is now mine.