Manny Legace

Manny Legace has seen himself on the short side of the stick many times over in his professional career, and unfortunately hasn't been able to always bounce back from it. Playing for Detroit for many years, winning a Stanley Cup as a back up in 2002, he floundered his first year as a starter for Detroit against Edmonton, in the first round of the playoffs. Driven from Detroit, he was sent to division rival St Louis and was never quite the same, even as the starter. Now with the rise of Mason, Legace found himself again without a team. November 9th, a few days ago he just signed a 1 year, 500K deal with the Carolina Hurricanes to either back up Cam Ward when he's healthy again, or just be his temporary fill in, to be sent back down to the AHL when he's healthy again. Only time will tell.

Slava Kozlov

Slava Kozlov was an original member of the infamous "Russian 5", back when Scotty Bowman was coaching the Wings. I *believe* it was in 95 when this line debuted, but it could be 96, I'm not entirely certain at this point. Played great with the Wings, won 2 Stanley Cups with us, before being let go in the 2001-2002 season when the Wings became the super team with Hull, Robitaille, Hasek, Fedorov, Datsyuk, Yzerman, Lidstrom...this list goes on and on. Still playing well in Atlanta, I even have him on my fantasy hockey roster right now. Haha

Mikael Sammuelson

I picked up this jersey right after the Winter Classic in '09, and had the opportunity to meet Mikael at a local memorabilia place to get his autograph. I gotta be honest, the first thing I noticed about him is that he had some guns on his arms. His bi's and tri's were about the size of my head, and thats not small to start with. Very nice guy. His agent was sitting next to him, and I had him sign my jersey with that special inscription, making it one of a kind. It's the box score from the Winter Classic game. My goal is to have everyone that was on the box score sign it, but now it's pretty difficult considering that Hudler is now in Russia, and I have no access to Hossa or Conklin anymore either. Sucks, but, what can you do?

I just really like this piece, and I feel it's one of a kind, and special to me.

Pavel Datsyuk

Today I recieved one of my favorite players back. Pavel Datsyuk! It came in and is the first to start my collection of pucks of the 2002 Stanley Cup Detroit team. I did ask for him to inscribe "Stanely Cup '02" along the bottom, but thats ok. Its a little smudged, though I sent along a paint pen instead of a silver sharpie like I normally do. I like knowing they are much more permanent, though the smudging is the risk I take. I know Sharpies do fade though too, so, it's not quite a win win situation, haha.

When I get my brothers camera back I'll throw up a picture of it. Maybe I'll try a little later again in the season and try my luck again, and maybe get the inscription on the bottom as well.

Igor Larionov

Recieved today one that I tried to get numerous times before, and always got an RTS on my past two attempts. The Professor was an awesome hockey player, when he played with the Soviets, to playing with the Wings, he had talent. He was able to set up plays, see the open man, and always went about everything with a logical thought first. His high intellegence of course is how he got the nickname. Though, wearing those sweet glasses off the rink that makes him look exactly like a Professor helps as well.

Larionov is the third step in my quest for a auto's from the Russian Five. With Federov, Konstantinov and now Larionov, I am now just waiting for my request from Slava Kozlov, and then just get lucky and hope to find an autographed card of Fetisov in a Red Wings Uni, seeing as no one can seem to locate him, or at least get him to sign TTM anymore.

Kris Draper

Kris Draper, what can I say about this guy? I recieved it today, and waited since the middle of May. It was worth the wait though on him. He only signed one of the two cards that I sent, but I feel this man is one of the most under respected players in the NHL. He plays such a great shut down hockey game, and can nuetralize any stars that he goes up against. Great player, especially in the playoffs. What else can I say about this great two way player that I respect so much? 1 autograph is better than none, and i'm happy he chose the Fleer card to help my collection along.

Sergei Federov

Today after 10 days of waiting, I recieved Sergei Federov's graph in the mail. He returned 3/3 all of which i believe are stamped. It's unfortunate, especially because I'm trying to get as many real auto's as possible for my 06-07 Fleer set, but, what can you do? I was also hoping to get his autograph in a Red Wings Uniform, because it's going into my special plaque I want to create dedicated to the Russian Five that played in Detroit. I have Konstantinov's autograph for that one already, so, 20% there already. But alas, something is better than nothing right now. Worst case scenario from Sergei, I find a certified autograph of him in a Red Wings uni.