Let's Talk about Autograph's Through the Mail

One of the reasons why I enjoy collecting autographs through the mail is the challenge of building one of the biggest and best collections. I am only focusing on collecting Women hockey player autographs. I do enjoy watching their play and it will be interesting this season in the PWHL with the players drafted this year. I look forward to watching the first 2 picks in this years draft. The 2 players are Caroline Harvey and Abbey Murphy. It is always interesting to see how these players can do offensively in this league versus when they played college hockey and we got a taste of that earlier in the year when we had some college players playing in the 2026 Olympics.

First let me start off discussing the good part versus the bad part. What I love the most is getting up each morning around 4:00 A.M. to check the informed delivery to see what I have coming back for mail on that day. Mondays are usually better days for getting multiple back because the players sending them back usually send on a Thursday or Friday and with Sunday being a no mail day that usually indicates that the odds are greater getting more back on Mondays. The mail still moves on Sunday but no deliveries. If I send to a highly sought after player I usually put a certain mark on the address label which is an indicator of who it is from.

                                    1997-98 First Goal Card # 1

I have asked Julie Otto to sign the front of the card too, I may send one of those cards to Brittny Ralph asking her to sign the front by her photo. I do not have any double player autograph cards in my collection so this would be a very nice and important addition.

                       1997-98 First Goal Card # 1 Reverse

These are the 2 cards that I am waiting to get signed by Julie Otto. The other player to already signed them is Laura Tryba. The front of the card is titled: First Goal and on the front of the card is shows the first ever goal scored by Julie Otto and it shows Brittny Ralph celebrating. The back of the card has 2 inset photo's. On the Left is Julie Otto and the right is Laura Tryba. She signed her name then under her name she added the inscription 11/2/97 First ever assist.

I am hoping they come back this week and when they do I will be adding card # 1 on the page titled: 1997-98 Minnesota Lady Gophers Inaugural Season. I will show the front and back of that special card.

I do get upset when I get a few back in a week's time especially when I average 20-25 auto requests per week. This week including today’s mail (Saturday August 29, 2026) will give me a total of 4 this week. That is a weak number but getting 8 to 10 back a week is very good but it happens only a few times a year. Currently I have got back 155 successes and I usually put 2-3 cards per envelope. So I have added over 300 autographs this year with 4 more months to go which is a decent year for returns. 

These 4 auto's really made me very happy and one of them was one that I needed the other 3 I had asked the players to sign the front of the card because they earlier in the year signed the back because the front of the cards are a dark color but as you can see Kris Scholz signed hers in a blue marker and I am ok with that as it is visible. I sent each player a silver sharpie and I told them they could keep the sharpie. That can get costly close to $10 each time and I never did send a silver sharpie to Kris and I won't have to as the blue is ok.

Collecting autographs through the mail is risky. Risky because you may never see the card again and there have been times I have spent $60 on one card and never got it back. My letters to the players are always nice and I am always thanking them for taking the time to read my letter and sign for me. I know there are some players who won’t sign but I won’t name those players. I just keep the names in my head. This is the bad part of collecting autographs through the mail. The letters can get lost by the mail itself and I have had players take as long as 7 years. I have had some letters lost that show up on the informed delivery but never make it to me.

I Will be adding a new page Titled: Great Signers and on that page I will list the players who are great signers so stay tuned as I compile that list. I will also add some players that are tough to get through the mail and some that have never signed for me.

This is Hilary Knight's first card with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, her freshman year. I am hoping that someday I get this beauty of a card signed by Hilary. When I first saw this card I thought it said Quaker State like the motor oil because it is the same green color but it actually says  Quaker Steak & Lube along with Best Wings USA.

This is Hilary Knight's second year card as a sopohmore and again this is a nice card and it shows the outline as a shadow. This would be another one I would love to get signed but that will not be very easy but I will give it a try this upcoming PWHL season as Hilary will be with the Detroit team, this will be their first season in the PWHL.

There are some players that are sporadic and sign but not as quick as the ones listed. Hilary Knight has signed only one time for me but I have sent 3 other times to her with nothing back. My most recent one to her was a bubble mailer I sent her with 4 cards and I included a silver sharpie. Curious if I get those back signed. The thing I keep thinking about is why wouldn't these players want other fans to see them being positive with their fans. The PWHL is new and I thought the players would all sign to build a positive fan base and grow the game. I have and will continue to support Women’s hockey and mostly I love watching their game and watching the players improve each year.

I hope that other autograph collectors find the fun and yes there will be times when you feel bad. Just try not to let it stop you because collecting autographs through the mail is very challenging and to make yourself a better collector you must not let the obstacles get in your way. Remember collecting cards is only a hobby and in the collecting world today I see the cost just in wanting to open a box of cards. I know it would be nice buying a box and pulling a big card but in reality the chances of that happening are just against the collector. I keep telling myself to put the same amount of money towards cards that you want and this way you will enjoy the hobby for what it is and that is you the collector is the one responsible for enjoying the hobby. Just remember this: JUST HAVE FUN!!!

Women in Nets Signed Part II

I thought I would show the recent autographs for some of the best Women Goalies. I have watched the NHL for 57 years and I will say that the past 10 years I have watched the Women hockey players. The Winter Olympics, PHF, CWHL, College games, PWHL. I will tell you that I am enjoying it more, I see exciting plays on scoring goals and incredible saves by those brave lady's. I say brave because that is the only position I would never play. I have played in net using a street hockey ball but I wore a mask but these were not players taking slapshots only snap shots so it was like just playing catch, ball to glove. Taking a street hockey ball off the shin is painful with just a snap shot, I cringe just thinking about a player winding up taking a slapper, not for me. Here are some incredible Lady goalies that just seem to have fun and have no fear which makes them stand alone in being some of the best ever.

Erin Whitten was the first American Women to play in professional hockey and got her first win with the Toledo Storm a 6-5 victory over the Dayton Bombers of the East coast league. This card is the 1996 Flint Generals card and I love the cartoonish circular with her name and position.

This player needs no introduction as she was one of the biggest female players of her era. She has more cards than any other Woman and a majority of her cards were by Classic games. She has been having more cards being added in some of the cards being produced today. As you can see she signed many thousands of cards as this single issue has a run of 6300 auto's. What a lot of collectors would rather have are hard signed and over 75% of her autographs are hard signed. This card is certified hard signed and I am not a huge fan of the band aid auto. Manon also was the first Canadian female to play in a professional league. She also played in an NHL exhibition game with the Tampa Bay Lightning and signed a contract with them. If you send to her for an autograph requests chances are you will get the card signed but it will be initials only with her jersey number 33, maybe signing all of those cards earlier in her career has taken a toll on her hand.

This card is the 1999-2000 Upper Deck Prospects Signatures of tradition Charlene Labonte. This is another hard signed certified card and she has a unique but beautiful autograph. I am not a fan of Upper Deck but this card I do like very much as the colors in the photo just pop.

This card is the 2011 In the Game Between the Pipes Women of the Nets Authentic Goaliegraph of Sami Jo Small. My reason for loving in the game versus Upper Deck is the beautiful colors and the names for these subsets. I love the Goaliegraph and the highly collectible between the pipes cards year after year.  The 2 time Olympic gold medalists also 1 silver Olympic medal. She won 4 gold medals in the Women's Worlds and played 10 season in the CWHL, 3 seasons with the Mississaugus Chiefs and 7 seasons with the Toronto Furies.

This card is the 2011 In the Game Between the Pipes Women of the Nets Authentic Goaliegraph of Kim St-Pierre. Beautiful card and I sure would rather see In the Game making cards as the designs and names are of hobby legend. Kim won 3 gold Olympic medals and in the 3 Olympics she was a perfect 8-0. She played several seasons in the NWHL-CA (W) league and the CWHL with the Montreal stars. Kim was inducted into the HHOF class of 2020 but the ceremony was not until 2021 because of the covid pandemic. She has a beautiful autograph and is always identical in appearance each time.

I am still awaiting those 1997-98 University of Minnesota First Goal card to come back. I hope I get them back this week as of this writing I have only got back 1 card incoming today so I hope the next 4 days I get those back signed and more. I have over 300 auto requests out and waiting. Getting cards through the mail is risky but the rewards of getting back the cards signed is a great feeling which helps keep me looking for more players to send to in the future. Happy Collecting and as always Stay Safe!!!

Women in Nets Part I

 With the hockey season about to get underway and my focus is on the Women's Hockey and with keeping with the sites title. I want to discuss the Women who patrol the Nets. There has been so many female goaltenders that have gone on to playing in men's leagues.

One of the most famous ones is Manon Rheaume who has played in 8 leagues over her Illustrious career. Her first season she was with Trois-Rivieres Draveurs of the QMJHL. She also played in a pre-season exhibition game with the Tampa Bay Lightning in games in 1992 and 1993. She is the first general manager with the PWHL Detroit team which begins play this season.

This card is one of Manon Rheaume's most difficult card to locate. I was fortunate to have found 3 of these cards and currently I have just sent one to Manon asking her to sign the card. The card is by Semic Globe and the text on the cards reverse is Swedish. This is her rookie card and is card number 250. This shows Manon during her playing time with team Canada. I like the small hologram on the front of the card as it is in gold which changes colors when moved in the light.

This card is from the 2023 Tim Hortons Record Books card. Again this card shows her playing for team Canada. These cards have a metallic look and Manon won gold medals with team Canada during the World Championships in 1992 and 1994. She went on to win a silver medal during the 1998 winter Olympics losing the gold to team USA.

This card is one of my favorite as it is the beautiful design as it has many unique symbols. This card is the 2011 In the Game Women of the Nets card. Kim is one of the most successful goalies in Canadian hockey history winning 3 gold medals in the winter games. Kim was the first woman ever to practice with the Montreal Canadiens when Carey Price was ill.

This card is another beautiful cards of Kim St. Pierre. I wish In the Game was still manufacturing hockey cards as I would easily choose them over Upper Deck. Just the name for the card set Going for Gold says a lot and the clean crisp photo's. In the Game made many autograph issues and I do have a Kim St. Pierre certified auto of Kim by In the Game. I will show some of these cards in the second part of Women in Nets.

This card is the 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee card of Charline Labonte from the Canadian Heroes subset. Labonte helped team Canada win the gold medal in the 2006 winter games in Torino and she also won a silver playing in the Woman's worlds in 2009.

This card is from the 2006 In the Game Going for Gold and Charline did just that getting 2 shutouts in the 3 games played during the 2006 winter games in Torino.

This card is the 2014 Women'sNational team USA card of Jessie Vetter. Jessie played 4 years at the University of Wisconsin Badgers winning a national championship in 2009. She won an NCAA record 91 games and now the record was broken by Hillary Pattenden who broke the record with 100 wins in 2011. Jessie went on to win 6 gold medals at the  Women's World Championships, 2 silver medals at the 2010 Vancouver and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic games. She also won 2 silver medals at the Women's world championships.

This card is the 2024-25 Upper Deck Elevated Talent card of Ann Renee Desbiens. Desbiens also played 4 years with the University of Wisconsin. In her senior year 2016 she broke the shutout record held by Noora Raty's with her 44th career shutout by defeating Bemidji state beavers 6-0. She has won Gold in the 2022 Olympics and won 3 world championship gold medals along with 3 silvers in the Worlds.

Her last trophy was guiding the Montreal Victoire of the PWHL to their first ever Walter Cup in 2026.

This card is the 2024-25 Upper Deck PWHL of Aerin Frankel. Frankel played in this year Winter Olympic games leading team USA to the gold medal. She also has won 2 world champions gold medals along with 3 silvers and a 5 time NCAA hockey east championships.

Her last accolade was being named the PWHL MVP and goaltender of the year in 2026. Aerin is a great at signing an autograph for her fans.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer as it sure has flown by and very soon the white flakes will be flying in the air. I am ok with that because this year I will be watching more hockey. I am adding to start watching the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State and others this year along with my Bruins. Good luck reeling in cards from your want list and stay safe. Happy Collecting!!!

I am Not complaining

As many of you know this site is mostly for my through the mail autographs of Women in Hockey. There will be posts I do of a certain card that I find searching through my cards that I have purchased. A few years ago I purchased a very large hockey card collection that has cards of players from all different leagues of hockey minor and pro. I have even found a bunch of Women hockey players and some nice custom cards. I plan on sending the ones out that I need an auto of that player. I will say that I am noticing a increase of successes through the mail and one maybe one in particular. I will know more about that once I get today's mail as I see it could be from that player that has been difficult to get through the mail.

If anyone starts trying to get autographs through the mail and you keep getting back the dreaded RTS(Return to sender label) it by no means is an indication that the address is incorrect. I have been told that if the person you are requesting an autograph from does not want your letter they can tell their mail carrier to return the letter which is why you get the dreaded RTS label. You sometimes will see in ink that someone wrote wrong address or the person is no longer living here. That can be written just to stop the person from sending an auto request. I wrote to one player over 9 times all coming back as a RTS. So on the 10th try I changed the players name as her full name and not as the card indicated by her name being a shorter version of her first name and it worked. I also have added on the back of the envelope in Caps PLEASE READ!!! and that I believe helps too.

The first card I am going to show is a request I sent to back on May 7th and I got it back over the weekend and she even added 2 cards of her own and the one card is from that mysterious set of cards that I would love to find a checklist of the players in that set. 

This is the card that I am talking about as the mysterious set because I have looked everywhere for info on these cards. The backs of the card have no information as to who manufactured these beautiful little gems. I have tried writing to certain players that have sent me one of their cards without me asking them. I do not even know to ask since I have no checklist as to who is in the set. I am still trying to pinpoint the correct year and I may be able to do that by seeing from the cards I do know that are on the checklist by seeing the years they played and trying to figure out the year that way.

This is the back of that card and as you can see there is no information about the cards manufacturer or even a year. Maybe the did you know could help figuring out the year. I may try writing a letter to the Women's National Team as someone must be able to have a checklist for these cards and who knows about other card sets done for them that are not checklisted or even known about. The cards are really beautiful front and a nice photo of the player wearing the team USA jacket. If anyone has any information about these cards would you please share the info and if you have players please indicate who the cards you have so I can add those names to the checklist. Currently I know of the cards that I have and they are these players: Lisa Chesson, Natalie Darwitz, Angela Ruggiero and Kerry Weiland. Now I can compare these players I know about by using the years they played together and I hope one of them only played their last season which will be an indication of the correct year.

This is the index card I sent to Kerry and she did sign on the puck and I have had some players not sign the puck and I keep asking myself do they not understand and I even put it in the letter I write them asking if they would please sign on the puck. I like that Kerry added 2010 USA inscription.

This autograph is one that I had but the first card she signed for me she signed on the back using a black sharpie. I know why she did that because the black would not show on the front because of the dark background. So I had decided to send her a silver sharpie asking her to sign the front of the card and as you can see she obliged. I love how it pops with that silver and it blends in nicely just like the shadow around the player. This does get costly sending a sharpie not the sharpie but the postage. Roughly $9 just in postage but it is worth it to me as I am close to having this 1997-98 inaugural season of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers complete.

This card is of Erica Killewald and I did the same with her card that I did with Kelly Olson's card sending her a silver sharpie. There were some players that did have either a gold or silver sharpie as they signed the card the first time which does save me the postage. I have seen Erica's auto several times before and she is a consistent signer with it looking identical each time.

A couple more that came in today and one I actually forgot I had sent to was Erika Lawler. Erika played in the 2010 Winter Olympics and helped her team win a Silver medal. She has played in 3 World Championships winning 2 gold and 2 silver medals. She went on to play 4 seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers helping them win three NCAA championships in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

 The final 2 autographs are from Chelsey Brodt and I had got her autograph earlier in the year and I never had a card of her just a index card so now I am glad to add these to my collection. These 2 cards are from her college days with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Chelsey went on to play several seasons with the Minnesota Whitecaps. She has a sister Winny Brodt who also played several seasons with the Minnesota Whitecaps. She played her last game with the Whitecaps at the age of 44.

I hope everyone had a nice time at the National and found some cards they needed. The one thing about the national is if you are looking for any certain tough cards to locate you will find them there. Speaking of tough cards to locate if anyone has any info about these cards, here is a scan of the cards I am talking about.

These cards are from either the 2007-08 or 2008-09 season. I now know of 4 of these cards and it would be nice to put together a checklist. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Until next time Happy Collecting and Stay Safe!!!

Let us never forget

 As a huge collector of Women's autographs I enjoy this hobby not just collecting the autographs but what I enjoy the most is watching these Women play and when I get their autograph through the mail it makes it that much nicer. That is the part about life that I can understand and there are other parts of life that baffles me. I try and stay positive with everything I do and it is not always very easy. Currently I am following the careers of many great female hockey players and now that they have their own professional league it makes it more enjoyable as I look forward to their annual PWHL draft and then I can follow them and watch them play and compete for that Cup of their own, the Walter Cup.

This next card I will show is what I have been referring to as not understanding why things happen to people that have so much to offer not just to the game but to others. The love in their hearts and their caring approach to others, teammates, friends and family members. 

This card is the 2013-14 Upper Deck Series 1 Game Worn Jersey card of Mandi Schwartz who played college hockey for the Yale Bulldogs. Her first season 2006-07 Mandi played in 31 games and finished the season with 13 points 5 goals and 8 assists. The 2007-08 season she played in 31 games with 14 points 4 goals and 10 assists. The 2008-09 season Mandi played in 11 games and this is the year she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2008 her junior year at Yale. Mandi underwent multiple treatments and continued to fight but she sadly passed away April 3, 2011 at the age of 23. Mandi played minor hockey at Athol Murray college of Notre Dame of Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

This is the back of the Jersey card and as you can see at the very top of the card what Mandi says. I was fortunate to get 2 of these cards and they are worth much more to me because of the kind of person she was. Life is so hard and I do not understand why beautiful people seem to lose their lives at such an early age. Owning this card is sad because I would rather of been able to write to her asking for her autograph instead of this card. I love the card but it makes me sad knowing she passed away but I also look at it as a way to always remember her and I can turn it over and see her smiling face and I can touch the jersey piece and say I have a piece of something that she wore in a Yale game of course I would still rather have just her autograph because that would indicate she would still be with us. I did see this card as check listed in the Beckett Monthly Price Guide.

The next autograph I got through the mail today is the 2022 Upper Deck PHF All-Star Showcase Captains card of Shiann Darkangelo of the Toronto Six. This was in Buffalo and if you look closely at the upper left corner you can see it says Breaking Boundaries. She signed the card in a Silver Sharpie which pops well on this card because of the darker background. Her autograph is not bad but it could be better. I have been studying her autograph and I am convinced that I see a capital letter "D" and a lower case letter "d" I can easily see where she wrote her jersey number of 27 above the signature itself. Shiann will be playing this season with the new Detroit Franchise of the PWHL in 2026-27 season.

This card is the 2025 Leaf Women of Sport of Jade Iginla certified autograph card serial numbered 1/10. Jade was picked in this years PWHL draft in the second round 18th overall by the Hamilton team.

Jade is the daughter of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. It will be interesting to see how Jade and the other picks perform this year. The next release of Upper Decks PWHL will be very interesting with young guns rookie cards of Caroline Harvey and Abbey Murphy. I wonder if it will cause the cost per box to rise. Now that the National is over I hope everyone who attended found cards they needed. The only national I ever attended was the one in Atlantic City in 1988. It was a great show and we got to spend the evenings walking the boardwalk and sitting on the bench listening to the waves crash. Stay safe and as always Happy Collecting!!!