TTM Success: Jake Gardiner

  Received on the same day as the Ben Scrivens return, I got teammate Jake Gardiner's return.  Gardiner spent the majority of last season with the Maple Leafs but joined the Toronto Marlies for the play-off run.  Gardiner, a 1st round pick in 2008, was traded to the Leafs by the Ducks, along with Joffrey Lupul, for Francois Beauchemin.  Wow, does that ever look like a one-sided trade.  Gardiner made the NHL's All-Rookie team and has a bright future with the Leafs.  Just like the Scrivens return, I had sent a picture I took during the Toronto Marlies game I attended.  I can't remember if I sent an extra of the picture I took or not.  Jake did return both copies of the auto on the right.  If you're near an AHL franchise, make sure you get out to see a game.  Decent prices on seats you could never afford at a NHL rink and a chance to see future stars. 

TTM Success: Ben Scrivens

  Ben Scrivens was to challenge for the back-up goalie spot on the Maple Leafs roster this season.  Instead he gets to be the starting goalie of the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate.  Scrivens had a great year with the Marlies last season, helping the team get to the Calder Cup finals.  I was on holidays in Toronto and got to see a play-off game live.  For under $50 a ticket, we got to sit 3 rows off the glass for a play-off game and I was able to take some great pictures.  That's what makes this return extra special.  The pictures Scrivens signed were ones I took.  The Marlies won that game, 3-0, and Scrivens was the first star.  Another cool think is that I have a ITG Between the Pipes auto card of Scrivens and his paid auto looks just the same as his ttm auto.  His auto is really just a big BS30 but he does it with flare.  He even dots the i in last name too.  One of my favourite returns to date. 

TTM Success: Jordan Sigalet

  Jordan Sigalet played a total of  3 minutes in the NHL.  His career was dealt a serious blow even before he turned pro, when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Jordan battled the disease through out his career.  While Jordan was never able to reach his full potential as a hockey player due to the disease, he has made a greater difference in the world by being a role model and inspiration for others with multiple sclerosis.
  I had already featured Jordan Sigalet in a previous post.  Check it out to read more about Jordan Sigalet. 

TTM: Jonathon Cheechoo

Jonathan Cheechoo faded away as fast as he burst onto the scene.  Cheechoo led the league in goals in 2005-06, but within four seasons, was playing in the minors.  Cheechoo benefited greatly from the San Jose Sharks trading for Joe Thornton.  Before the trade Cheechoo had 7 goals and 15 pts in 24 games.  After the trade Cheechoo had 49 goals and 78 pts in 58 games.  Each season afterwards, Cheechoo's production dropped, until he was traded in 2009, to the Ottawa Senators, in a package deal for Dany Heatley.   In 2009-10, Cheechoo scored 5 goals in 66 games and had his contract bought out by the Senators at the end of the season.  Cheechoo has played in the AHL the past two season, trying to regain his scoring touch.  Cheechoo is from Moose Factory, a First Nation's community near Hudson Bay in Ontario.  Mr. Cheechoo signed four of four, c/o the Peoria Rivermen.  

  If you haven't seen the Cheechoo song videos, then you really need to.