The standard tool of the trade.

Who is that? The most common question asked amongst autograph seekers. Everyone was familiar with the star players but it was tough to distinguish and properly identify the role players. It's not a great way to make an impression on a player by asking him to sign the wrong card. So there was some definite hesitation in asking a lesser-known player for an autograph, the same type of hesitation I have for owning a Mitsubishi car. If I bought a Mitsubishi I would feel compelled to always have the car stocked with my friends, plenty of dance music and one designated dancer in the front seat. That's way too much pressure.

When the bus did roll in, the atmosphere was that of an awards show; the crowds flocked around the players like we were the associated press. There was also some strategy involved. You had to plan ahead of time which players where the biggest priority because if you didn't time it just right, the players would walk right past you. In true essence there were two opportunities to getting a players autograph; once on the way into the arena and then once again after practice was over. You also had to prepare the hockey cards you wanted signed ahead of time. For all you young kids out there here is my free advice that was passed down to me. A lot of the later cards I collected had a glossy finish on them. Nowadays practically every card has a glossy finish. The key to getting an autograph that will last is to erase the gloss of the card with a white eraser.

	The feathered mullet.

One of the greatest attractions of getting autographs was the other characters who were there waiting with you. My friends and I attended these autograph opportunities only a handful of times; we were not obsessed. We were all content getting one autograph from each player and then keeping that autograph as part of our collection. I never got an autograph with the intention of hoping to sell it one day. We were the minority for the most part; I would describe the other autograph seekers as Lifers. These Lifers would attend each autograph opportunity. They all knew each other but never saw each other outside of these events. A typical profile of an Autograph Lifer: A thick binder with at least 5 cards of every player which they intended to get signed, a black trench coat, a Molson or Labatt's ball cap, an un-kept beard, the standard "so you staying out of trouble" greeting, Andre Agassi hair circa the pre-shaved head years a.k.a the feathered mullet and a psychological profile that would characterize them as a borderline stalker. Not exactly society's prize jewel but nonetheless they provided us great entertainment in listening to their great autograph escapades and the lengths they went to track down players.

Here are some of my memorable autograph moments:

	Kid, this better not be a Stanley Cup card.

- My buddy Kevin running alongside a young Radek Bonk stride for stride in attempt to get an autograph. Through the broken English it took Kevin a while to realize Radek was telling him he would sign after practice.
- Ron Francis refusing to sign my card because it had him pictured with the Stanley Cup." "Sorry kid, I won't sign that card" "Why?" "Because it's got me pictured with the cup." Oh I'm sorry Mr. Millionaire, let me get a more flattering picture of you for next time. Is signing a card with the Stanley cup pictured sac-religious? I still don't understand that.
- Luc Robitaille entering the arena through the seldom-used back entrance. Out of all the players Luc was the only one who wanted to skip out on the crowds. You would figure that it would take a bigger star to use the back entrance.
- All 5'9 of Joe Mullen pushing away my buddy Phil. All Phil was trying to do was get an autograph and instead he got a "Get out of my way kid" threat in a New York accent. I guess Joe was doing his best Pesci impression.

Of course for all these bad incidents there were a ton of great ones. Most of the players were very gracious and patient.

Looking back at my collection now, it brings some laughs and welcome surprises. The laughs come from the autographs of players who at the time were well known. Back then I was excited and eager to get these players autographs but a few years have passed and I realize that a Blaine Lacher or Brett Lindros autograph will never match those early expectations. Of course there are also welcome surprises, young players who at the time had yet to make their impact including Pavol Demitra, John Leclair and Markus Naslund.

Those days of camping out front of morning practices are long over. Like many of the players who I received autographs from there comes a time when you must step away. I'm sure we have been replaced by another group of high schoolers that are eager to create their own stories about Marion Gaborik, Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley. As much as things change, one thing will stay constant; those same Autograph Lifers will still be there.