Montréal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes Preseason Game

Earlier tonight, a preseason game between the Montréal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes was played at the Colisée Pepsi in Québec. I went to the game with a few cards of players of both teams, not expecting much. At the beginning of the game, I noticed a few players sitting together up in the balconies. I went up there (it was accessible to the public, although nobody sat there for the game - the game wasn't sold out) just before the 2^nd intermission and found out that the players hanging out up there were all Carolina players (those who weren't playing tonight, obviously). Unfortunately, I hadn't done my homework and couldn't recognize most of them (always do your homework, kids!). One I did recognize was Jordan Staal, who signed my 2 cards:

Also up in the balconies, but in another section of the Colisée, Ron Francis stood alone as the 3^rd period was about to begin. With the help of Justine, a hounding colleague, I was able to get 2 cards signed by him:

After the game, I waited outside the arena for the players from both teams to come out. Save for Brandon Prust, none of the Canadiens players came out and signed, as their team bus was parked in the garage inside the arena. As for the Hurricanes, they had to come out of the arena to get on their team bus. There was almost no security there, which should have helped, but most of the players went straight to the bus without stopping for anyone. One player who was generous of his time and signed for a few minutes was Eric Staal, who signed this card for me:

That wrapped up the night for me!

54th Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament - My 3rd Outing

I went to the Colisée Pepsi early this morning in hopes of getting 2 more cards signed by Denis Savard, since the Chicago Mission was playing at 8:00. I found Mr. Savard hanging out in the concourse after the game. He graciously signed my 2 cards:

I also saw Martin Lapointe, who quickly signed this card I had added to my pile for today's outing:

Then I was lucky enough to have someone I know identify Michal Pivonka for me (I wouldn't have recognized him by myself). Mr. Pivonka was just hanging around waiting for his players to come out after the game. He signed these 2 cards for me:

I then had to call it an early day, as I had an appointment to go to and then I had to go to work...

54th Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament - My 2nd Outing

This morning I started by going to the Galeries de la Capitale for the Atlanta Fire's exhibition game. Like last year, one of Tom Glavine's sons plays for the Fire. Mr. Glavine signed these for me before the game:

I then set off for the Colisée Pepsi. Just as I arrived, I noticed the Buffalo Sabres' coaches chatting together in the concourse. One of them, ex-NHLer Rory Fitzpatrick, signed the one card I had of him:

Mr. Fitzpatrick's friends made sure to make fun of him for the mullet he sported on that card. :o)

A few moments later, after the Nashville Predators' game, I was able to get J.P. Dumont's autograph on 2 cards as he was leaving:

The next team I looked for was the Chicago Mission, coached by former NHLers Martin Lapointe and Michal Pivonka. I had also heard of Denis Savard's godson playing for team, so I brought 2 of his cards with me, just in case, but I had no great expectations about his coming to the tournament. I spotted Martin Lapointe as he was half-watching a game. He signed these 2 cards:

I looked for Michal Pivonka and Denis Savard, but didn't see either one of them... until I was about to leave for lunch and came upon Denis Savard in the concourse, who was wearing a Chicago Mission jacket! He signed the 2 cards I had brought:

Later today, after lunch, I went back to the Galeries de la Capitale, where I was able to catch Michael Peca watching his son's exhibition game. His son plays for the Buffalo Sabres. Mr. Peca signed all these for me during an intermission:

I know, I had way too many, but he said he didn't mind signing them all...

I ended the day by heading to the Colisée Pepsi once more. When I got there, the Colorado Thunderbirds were almost done playing their game, so after the game, I finally met Adam Foote and he signed my 2 cards:

When Joe Sakic came out of the stairs leading to the Colisée's concourse, he was immediately surrounded by people who wanted his autograph or a picture with him. As he didn't seem to mind signing everything in sight, I was able to get his autograph on one more card:

Once again, Joe Sakic was very generous of his time, signing for pretty much everyone when he could have just as easily avoided the crowd!

The next autograph I got was Sylvain Côté's, who's here coaching Team Maryland:

Finally, I looked for Mike Richter before the New York Rangers' game (he's one of their coaches) but I couldn't find him. I watched the game from the stands and I could see him behind the Rangers' bench, but I couldn't wait for him after the game, I had to leave early. I sat next to the corridor that led the team from the ice to the locker rooms and I asked Mr. Richter for an autograph from there, as he was leaving the ice. He signed this card for me:

He wouldn't sign more than one though... That's too bad, since he was the player whose autograph I wanted the most, the Rangers being my second favourite NHL team. I'm still very happy that I got him to sign his nicest rookie card (as far as I'm concerned)!

54th Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament - My 1st Outing

If you've already been on this blog and have read my posts from the previous years, then you probably already know about the Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament. In addition to being a great event for its participants, it's also a nice opportunity to get autographs from some former pro players who come here as parents of players, as coaches of a team, or as both!

Today I went to the Galeries de la Capitale for the Colorado Thunderbirds' exhibition game. Among others, the sons of former NHLers Sergei Krivokrasov, Adam Foote and Joe Sakic are playing for that team! Unfortunately, I didn't see Mr. Krivokrasov nor Mr. Foote around, but Joe Sakic, who's an assistant coach for the team, signed 4 cards for me before the game!

As you might have noticed, I smeared the autograph on the 1990-91 Upper Deck card by holding it by the wrong end before the ink had dried... At least the others look great! Mr. Sakic was very generous with his time before the game, signing autographs and having his picture taken with those who asked.

Rob Blake TTM

Rob Blake c/o home - 837 days - 3/3