Collectors’ Corner January

I want to wish all the collectors out there a Happy New Year and pass on some information to help you keep your resolutions (assuming one of them is to collect more autographs). January is a cold month, both in temperature and in the amount of signings that are going to take place. Remember some venues allow you to take a picture with the athlete, so make sure you ask before trying to take one, and always remember to thank the player for signing your item and as always, happy collecting…

Assuming you weren’t nursing a hangover on New Year’s Day, maybe you got a chance to meet Bruins’ legend Johnny Bucyk. He’s a great guy and very personable. If you weren’t able to meet Mr. Bucyk in person, you can always send him (or any current Boston Bruins player) something to sign care of the Boston Bruins at: TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114. Make sure to include a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) for the player’s convenience.

Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) will be “Bruins Day” at the Big Sports Card & Memorabilia Show at the Holiday Inn located at 31 Hampshire St. in Mansfield, MA. Free admission to anyone wearing anything Bruins related (otherwise a $2 admission fee). Signing autographs will be Rick Middleton ($10 dollars an autograph, $8 for each additional), Ken Linesman ($9 for one autograph, $7 for each additional) and Ken Hodge Jr. (free for the first, $5 for each additional). The players will be signing from 10:30AM-12:30PM. Door prizes include 2 autographed copies of Bobby Orr’s new book, “Orr My Story”.

Sunday, February 2nd in a RARE public signing Willie O’Ree will signing autographs at the Knights of Columbus at 462 Broadway in Methuen, MA. Autographs are $20 each and he will be signing from 10-12PM. Willie O’Ree played wing for the Boston Bruins but is best known as being the first African American player to play in the NHL when the Bruins called him up on January 18, 1958.