Theo Peckham Autographed Card

Theo Peckham was the 76th pick of the 2006 NHL draft, ahead of other notable prospects Kaspars Daugavins, 91st), James Reimer (99th), Richard Bachman (120th), Chad Johnson (125th), Pavel Valentenko (139th), Viktor Stalberg (161st), Mathieu Perreault (177th), and Erik Condra (211th). No All-Stars, perhaps one Olympian in Valentenko.

Upon picking Peckham, the Edmonton Oilers knew they weren't getting a sniper or a playmaker; he got 60 points over three seasons in Juniors (181 games), with seasons of 209, 236 and 173 penalty minutes. He did manage a pretty impressive 2005-06 OHL postseason with a goal, seven points and 32 penalty minutes in 11 games, but at 6'2'' and 235 lbs, he's more of a defensive defenseman.

He was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks this summer, so perhaps they're trying to get heavier on the back end to defend their title this upcoming season...

He did seem like a gentle giant when I met him in 2011 to have this card signed (then again, I'm 6'3'' and close to 275 lbs and had long hair until recently...):

The card is from Upper Deck's 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee set (card #532, the Marquee Rookies sub-set) and was signed in thin blue sharpie - someone else's that he used to sign a few objects, mostly pucks since I was the only one with a card for him. He wore 49 and 24 as an Oiler, and though it looks like a '29', he was sporting #24 at the time.

I guess the Oilers feel they've upgraded by signing the equally-physical but more-experienced (and Stanley Cup winner) Andrew Ference to their line-up; the Hawks must feel that six seasons after having been drafted and an injury-plagued lockout-shortened season, he'll play with a chip on his shoulder for a championship-caliber team. All in all, could be a win-win for both teams.