Jay Bouwmeester Jersey Card

Tonight's game between the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks was postponed after Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench, 12:10 into the game's first period with the score even at 1. It is considered a "cardiac episode".

Here he is from early in his career on card #FP-JB from Topps' 2003-04 Traded & Rookies set and Future Phenoms sub-set:

It shows him wearing the Florida Panthers' original white (home) uniform, with a matching game-worn jersey swatch from his rookie season.

He became the 29th member of the Triple Gold club last June when he added the Stanley Cup to a resume that already included an Olympic gold medal (2014) and World Championship gold (2003 and 2004).

He also holds two World Cup titles (2004 and 2016), World Championship silver (2008) and World Juniors silver (2002) and bronze (2000 and 2001) medals with Team Canada.

Jay Bouwmeester Swatch Card

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester dressed for his 1000th NHL game tonight, most of which he was an impactful player in. Unfortunately, the Blues lost 5-0 against the New York Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist was phenomenal in netting the shutout.

J-Bo made the news late this summer when he replaced Duncan Keith on Team Canada's World Cup roster, ahead of the likes of Mark Giordano, P.K. Subban and Kristopher Letang; however, the former third-overall draft pick (2002, Florida Panthers) and usual defensive partner of Alex Pietrangelo did fine, winning a fifth title with his national team, which now reads like a Hall Of Famer's checklist: World Championship gold (2003 and 2004), Olympic gold (2014) and World Cup (2004 and 2016). Oh, and World Championship silver (2008), and three World Juniors medals (silver in 2000 and 2001, bronze in 2002).

Sure, he could have been a more physical player and reached elite status and won a Norris trophy like Chris Pronger, but he may not have played in 737 consecutive games had he done so - and may even be permanently concussed like Pronger is instead of playing in his 1000th game.

The only thing he needs now is playoff success; he hadn't played a single postseason game until 2013, and has barely suited up for 38 in total. The main reason for that is he played on disappointing, low-level teams such as the early-00s Panthers and the post-Cup run Calgary Flames.

Speaking of which, here he is wearing the Flames' white (away) uniform, on card #96 from Panini's 2011-12 Titanium set and Game-Worn Gear sub-set:

It features a beautiful black game-worn swatch.

Jay Bouwmeester Autograph Card

Here's a beauty: card #BW of Upper Deck's Sign Of The Times sub-set from the 2005-06 SP Authentic set. It is a thin blue sharpie hard-signed (directly on the card rather than on an applied sticker) card of then-Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

You'll notice from my previous Bouwmeester jersey card posts (here and here) that I am fond of the still-young current Calgary Flames alternate captain. He has uncanny speed for a man his size, can pass and shoot like a powerforward and covers a lot of ice defensively; sure, he could be more robust, à la Chris Pronger, but the Edmonton native might not be the NHL's current Iron Man if he did.

The seven-time Team Canada member has won medals at every level of international play except the Olympics - expect that to change in 2012.

Jay Bouwmeester Jersey Card

In keeping with the subject of the day, the trade that sent Dion Phaneuf packing to the Toronto Maple Leafs, here is the Calgary Flames' new, undisputed #1 defenseman, Jay Bouwmeester.

Bouwmeester was acquired by the Flames on June 27th. 2009, at the entry draft, in exchange for Jordan Leopold and a third-round draft pick, when the Florida Panthers, faced with the prospect of losing their captain for nothing in return to free agency, opted to at least receive some compensation. Although I am a fan of Leopold's, Bouwmeester is in a whole other category: his size, strength, speed, shot power, crushing hits and overall vision make him an eventual Norris trophy candidate; I liken him to the Philadelphia Flyers' Chris Pronger, but younger and less of a cheap shot artist.

He is also the current NHL Ironman - the player who has not missed a single game for the longest time (although he is way short of the all-time record holder, Doug Jarvis, who played 964 consecutive games from 1975 to 1987).

With Phaneuf gone, I see Bouwmeester's ice time increasing, more responsabilities, an All Star Game or two - and a Norris nod within 3 years' time.

This card depicts him in his white Panthers uniform, and is card #GJ-JB of Upper Deck's 2008-09 Series 1 set. I showed you a black Bouwmeester patch here, I just need to find a red one to complete my Panthers' "colours" collection...

Three SP Game-Used Jersey Cards: Keith Primeau, Martin Biron & Jay Bouwmeester

I wouldn't recommend it for uncertified autographs, but for something as simple as an Upper Deck jersey card, Ebay can work wonders.

Here we have three jersey cards from the 2006-07 SP Game-Used Edition series: Keith Primeau (Philadelphia Flyers), Martin Biron (Buffalo Sabres) and Jay Bouwmeester (Florida Panthers) - each sporting a uniform they no longer wear.

The advantage of purchasing more than one item from one seller is that you get to save on shipping - most times. Some don't reduce shipping fees from extra items bought or won, but most do, so it becomes more worth it to get the extra 2 cards at fifty cents per card (plus fifty cents shipping) than fifty cents a card plus three dollars or so. Add them up, and, on average, they become way more affordable.