On a roll

Pretty pumped to share that Colin is now three-for-three with his pink stick-blade tapes raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Thanks to Jerry, my best bud from back home, Colin has now raised $95 toward his goal of $125.

Still, we have some work to do. The latest auction, found here, went live moments ago. Opening bid is only $5, but you can get it now by making a $20 bid.We'll even cover the shipping for you.

This week's stick tape was used in three practices and a game with the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars. In that game, he logged an assist in the Stars' 11-1 victory.

The top photo shows the stick tape that you're bidding on. Lots of puck marks, wear and tear. In the game-used arena, more is better.

The second photo, albeit fuzzy, shows Colin (#37, if you don't know by now) and the stick he used in that game.

All proceeds will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, where 91 cents of every dollar is used for research and awareness efforts.

If you'd like, he's willing to sign the stick tape for you for no additional fee.

As always, we appreciate your support.

Also, if you know of anyone fighting breast cancer, a breast cancer survivor or someone who lost a loved one from breast cancer, please, let us know, We have extra tapes we're live to share with them. Thanks.

Open for auction

After the first two stick blades tapes raised $75, we're using an eBay auction for the third installment of Colin's annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The auction, found here, went live moments ago. Opening bid is only $5, but you can get it now for making a $20 bid.

This week's stick tape saw a lot of use. Three practices, a Lightning Made Clinic sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning and a hockey tripleheader with games with the Scoprions and Pinellas P.A.L. Stars, In his last game of the day, he scored a goal with it in the Stars' 7-4 victory.

The top photo shows the stick tape that you're bidding on. The second photo, albeit fuzzy, shows Colin and the stick he used in that game.

All proceeds will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research foundation, where 91 cents of every dollar is used for research and awareness efforts.

If you'd like, he's willing to sign the stick tape for you for no additional fee.

As always, we appreciate your support.

Addendum Oct. 22: Thanks to my buddy Jerry, the auction ended today. Thanks again, sir.

Two for two

Two weeks into his fundraising effort, Colin has raised $75 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation after Wendy, one of his newest fans, stepped up and donated $40 for this game-used stick blade tape.

Wendy joins Brett, a longtime fan of Colin and our blogs, in getting Colin closer to his $125 goal. Thanks, folks.

For those who don't know, Colin wraps each of his stick blades in pink tape this month. One will be used as an auction piece to raise money. The other will go to someone who is battling or has beaten the disease, or to someone who has lost a loved one or friend to breast cancer. In fact, if you know someone who would like one of these, let us know.

This week's tape, which can be had for at least a $20 donation, should be well used. Between three practices, a Lightning Made Clinic and three games, it should show a lot of wear and tear. In fact, the tip is missing after only two practices.

So, if you'd like to avoid the eBay auction, like Brett and Wendy have, reach out to me through the blog, Facebook or Twitter. Remember, the minimum donation to secure this week's tape is $20. If you want to donate more, it'll be appreciated.

If not, the tape will be put up for auction next Monday on eBay. Minimum bid will be $5 and we'll pick up the shipping.

As always, thank you for your support.

Funny story

So, the big "secret" of the Hockey Bay hounding community Monday was where the New Jersey Devils were staying. They didn't stay at any of the four hotels commonly frequented by NHL teams. Instead, the Devils stayed at the Le Meridien hotel.

Apparently, this information was as guarded as Fort Knox, with looks of surprise (myself included) when a handful of us met near the corner of Florida and Zack in downtown Tampa. Still, though, that isn't the story.

No, I have New Jersey's ageless wonder, Jaromir Jagr, to thank for that.

We saw him leave the hotel, headed out for a walk before the team paraded onto the bus for a practice at the Amalie Arena. Rather than let the opportunity to snag a future Hall of Famer, I gave chase and started jogging down the street parallel to Jagr. That alone, I imagine, was probably pretty humorous.

As I pulled even and prepared to cross the street, I looked up. Here was Jagr headed my way. I was thinking "Hey, that's pretty nice. He's coming over to sign." Must have felt sorry for me, I thought. You know, one old man to another old man.

Guess what? I couldn't have been more wrong.

When I asked if he had time to sign a few cards (shown above), he declined, telling me he would sign only before Tuesday's game. Seeing that I would be at work at that time, it was a big swing and a whiff.

The only thing I got was this story.

Off to a great start

Thanks to Brett, one of Colin's biggest fans, Colin's fund-raising effort for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is well on its way to reaching its $125 goal. Even before last week was over, Brett, who writes the My Hockey Card Obsession blog, snagged the first game-used stick tape that we'll be auctioning off every week on eBay.

As you can see, the stick blade tape, shown above, received plenty of usage, with three practices and a game with the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars.

It's always nice to get the project started with a bang. Thanks, Brett. I'll be reaching out to provide the necessary information.

Each week this month, Colin will wrap each of his stick blades in pink tape. One will be used as an auction piece to raise money. The other will go to someone who is battling or has beaten the disease, or to someone who has lost a loved one or friend to breast cancer.

We already have the first week's recipient in mind, but will take suggestions for the others in the weeks ahead. Don't worry, too, we'll take care of the postage.

Now, if people want to follow Brett's lead and secure this week's stick blade tape, feel free to contact me through the blog or other social media. The buy-it-now price, so to speak, is $20. If and when it goes on eBay, the opening bid will be $5.

As always, we appreciate your support.