Any time an Original Six team rolls into Hockey Bay, it draws a big crowd of hounds and fans. When that team is the New York Rangers, seasoned hounds know that crowd will be that much bigger. Big teams with big-name stars mean big crowds. It's just the way it is.
That doesn't mean, though, that you won't score some autographs.
After Colin and I headed out for a Saturday morning adventure -- our first of the 2013 hockey-hounding campaign -- we certainly didn't head home, only hours before into his final two regular season Jr. Bulls travel-team hockey games, empty-handed after dealing with the masses.
No, sir, not one little bit.
Though we missed on Brad Richards, arriving a few minutes too late, and later watched Henrik Lundqvist and Rick Nash ride the bus to the team's morning skate, we came home with a respectable 24 autographs, including this puck signed by Marc Staal and another by Marian Gaborik.
Signing cards, shown above, were:
Top row: Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan and Benn Ferriero; and
Bottom row: Gaborik, Daniel Girardi and Carl Hagelin.
More Rangers players who signed cards were:
Top row: Jeff Halpern, Ryan McDonagh and Taylor Pyatt; and
Bottom row: Staal, Derek Stepan and Anton Stralman; while
Michael Del Zotto inked a quartet of cards.
Where is the morning skate held?
ReplyDeleteAt the Tampa Bay Times Forum
ReplyDeleteHere's some more information you might find useful:
ReplyDeletehttp://tampahockeyhounding.blogspot.com/
http://bluegrafs3.blogspot.com/search/label/Tricks%20of%20the%20Trade
Thanks, and do you hound the away team at the Westin Harbor Island hotel or do you wait by the players entrance outside the Forum? And what time do hounders go to get autographs (either the Forum Or the hotel ) Thanks for the advise!
ReplyDeleteUsually hang out near the visiting team hotel. It'll either be the Westin Harbour Island, Marriott Waterside or Embassy Suites. Best times are from 9-11 a.m. and 3-4:45 p.m. on gamedays.
ReplyDeleteIn return for this information, please send a $25 check, in this blog's name, to USA Hockey. Thank you.
Just 1 more question I was wondering how you carry the cards? What method do you use? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI use a spiral-bound 4-inch by 6-inch index card notebook as my book. That's big enough to allow you to present up to four cards (two on each page) to every player. Use photo corners on the top left and bottom right of cards to attach them to each page.
ReplyDeleteThis post, from august 2008, should be helpful:
http://bluegrafs4.blogspot.com/2008/08/whats-in-your-hounding-bag.html