Slow Month...

After busy Holidays in the mail department, things have cooled down. I thought I'd chip in with some statistics and a few lessons I've learned in the past year and a half.

First off, here is the list of players I have sent mail to so far (in parentheses, date of reception):

January 29, 2010:
Brent Sutter: 2 cards, c/o Flames (March 2, 2010)
Jaroslav Halak: 2 cards, 1 postcard, c/o Centre Bell (March 31, 2010)

March 11, 2010:
Jean-Sébastien Giguère: 6 cards, c/o Leafs
Mike Glumac: 2 cards, c/o Bulldogs

March 20, 2010:
Dion Phaneuf: 3 cards, c/o Leafs
Curtis Sanford: 3 cards, c/o Bulldogs (May 25th, 2010)

September 2, 2010:
Steve Shutt: 2 cards, c/o Habs Alumni (November 1, 2010)

September 13, 2010:
Andrei Kostitsyn: 2 cards, c/o Habs

September 21, 2010:
Dale Hunter: 3 cards, c/o Knights (2/3 cards, October 12th, 2010)

September 22, 2010:
Henri Richard: 2 cards, c/o Habs Alumni (3/2 cards + 1 postcard, October 22, 2010)

Jean Béliveau: 2 cards, home (returned to sender, November 5, 2010)

Rick Wamsley: 2 cards, c/o Senators (October 12th, 2010)

September 28, 2010:
Hal Gill: 2 cards, c/o Habs practice facility

Alex Auld: 2 cards, c/o Habs practice facility (November 18, 2010)

Mike Van Ryn: 3 cards, c/o Niagara Ice Dogs
Kirk Muller: 4 cards, c/o Habs practice facility

September 29, 2010:

Trevor Linden: 4 cards, c/o Canucks Alumni (December 14, 2010)

Henrik Sedin: 4 cards, c/o Canucks
Carey Price: 2 cards + 1 mini-standee, c/o Centre Bell
Pascal Leclaire: 4 cards, c/o Senators

September 30, 2010:
Jason Spezza: 4 cards, c/o Senators (October 19, 2010)
Miikka Kiprusoff: 4 cards, c/o Flames (October 14th, 2010)
Brian Gionta: 4 cards, c/o Centre Bell

October 9, 2010:

Dave Reid: 4 cards, home (October 29, 2010)

October 18, 2010:
Stéphane Richer: 4 cards, c/o golf club (November 1, 2010)
Chris Neil: 3 cards (2 same), c/o Senators

October 20, 2010:
Sergio Momesso: 6 cards, c/o his restaurant (returned to sender, November 1, 2010)

October 22, 2010:

Steven Finn: 2 cards, home

November 3, 2010:
Sergio Momesso: 6 cards, c/o CJLO (5/6 cards, November 18, 2010)

November 17, 2010:
Kevin Lowe: 5 cards, c/o Oilers
Mike Fisher: 4 cards, c/o Senators
Marc Denis: 5 cards, c/o RDS

November 18, 2010:
Randy Ladouceur: 3 cards, c/o Hamilton Bulldogs (December 20, 2010)

Tomas Kaberle: 3 cards c/o Leafs
Rick Vaive: 5 cards, c/o Leafs TV
Gilbert Brulé: 4 cards, c/o Oilers

Jamie McLennan: 4 cards, c/o Flames (December 23, 2010)

November 19, 2010:
Tomas Plekanec: 3 cards, c/o Centre Bell (December 20, 2010

November 23, 2010:

Milan Michalek: 4 cards, c/o Sens (December 23, 2010)

Colby Armstrong: 4 cards, c/o Leafs practice facility

Roman Hamrlik: 4 cards, c/o Centre Bell

Alexandre Burrows: 3 cards, c/o Canucks

November 25, 2010:
Craig Simpson: 4 cards, c/o Hockey Night In Canada / CBC Audience Relations

November 29, 2010:

Ron Sutter: 2 cards, c/o Flames scouting staff

Roberto Luongo: 3 cards, c/o Canucks

Bobby Smith: 5 cards, c/o Mooseheads (December 20, 2010

November 30, 2010:

Darrin Shannon: 3 cards, c/o office (December 10, 2010)

Vincent Damphousse: 5 cards, c/o Spa Vieux-Montréal
Josh Gorges: 3 cards, c/o Centre Bell
Max Pacioretty: 3 cards, c/o Hamilton Bulldogs

Randy Cunneyworth: 3 cards, c/s Hamilton Bulldogs (December 23, 2010)
Steve Smith: 4 cards, c/o Edmonton Oilers
Maxim Lapierre: 4 cards, c/o Centre Bell

December 3, 2010:

Raffi Torres: 3 cards, c/o Canucks

Brent Sutter: 6 cards, c/o Flames (December 20, 2010) 22/55

January 17, 2011:
Sam Gagner: 4 cards, c/o Oilers
Shawn Horcoff: 4 cards, c/o Oilers


I knew the Rangers and Devils didn't forward mail to their players, so going TTM with them is pretty much equal to losing whatever you send them; I have come to the conclusion that things are the same when it comes to Leafs players, which is a shame, since they employ some of my favourite players, namely J.S. Giguère.

At first, I figured typing and printing fan letters would be best, since my handwriting is uneven at times - and looks terrible with some pens. But then I thought about it, and it does seem less sincere, regardless of what words you use. Also, you are asking them to write their name on cards... fair's fair. Make the effort to write, they'll make the effort to read.

I've also learned player movements can affect even those you thought would never move: two of my November 30th sendees (Pacioretty and Lapierre) are no longer with their team; the other active player, Gorges, is out for the season. On the other hand, retired players and current Sens are über-fast in responding.

Not counting the two I sent this morning, I have received 22/55. Hopefully by season's end, I almost double that percentage. If not - more lessons I'll have learned.