Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jean Beliveau.  Good health, my friend.

Signed Olympic jerseys may be tougher to come by this year, as it seems Nike seriously underestimated demand for their product. There are no jerseys to be had at the wholesale level right now, and apparently no more are being produced. I had a request to provide 30 Team Russia jerseys for the wives of the players to wear in the stands, but coming up with the jerseys was an impossibility. We are doing an autograph session with Phil Kessel this week, but have no access to Team USA jerseys.  We have a handful of Canada jerseys in stock, but are debating whether or not to save them for possible higher-dollar sales down the road.

 

I am sure that Nike had vast amounts of unsold product after the disastrous 2006 Olympic hockey results, and played it extra cautious this time around.  Hopefully there will be enough jerseys available to at least come close to meeting customer demand.

 

 

 

Sports Collectors Digest (SCD) has been the sports collectibles industry publication dating back to the 1970’s. It was a must read, and I remember eagerly anticipating each week’s issue and reading it cover to cover. In its heyday, some issues were over 400 pages thick.

 

The economic downturn has obviously hit the company hard. It was not unusual for issues in 2009 to peak at 36 pages, while they rarely exceeded 50.  SCD took to accepting ads from less than reputable companies in an effort to stay afloat. This never would have happened in the old days, when all advertisers were screened and the publication diligently followed up on customer service issues.

 

I let it go the first time, but there’s no way it’s going unmentioned again. The Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate that is also owned by the parent club, sent out an email blast in November promoting their upcoming bobble head nights. I had to send the Leafs an email, making note that 3 of the 5 players listed had their names spelled wrong.

 

Vesa Toskula (Toskala)

Terry Sawchuck (Sawchuk)

Jonus (Jonas) Gustavsson

 

Remember all the Fabian Brunnstrom hype last year? Dallas won the sweepstakes for the free agent Swedish star, and he looked like an amazing find after scoring a hat trick in his first NHL game (only the 3^rd player ever to accomplish the feat).  This year, he has one goal and eight points and has spent time in the minors.

 

We can actually play this game with a lot of players.  Last season I called Kyle Turris a “Jonathan Toews clone” and picked him to win the Calder Trophy. After a disappointing 20-point year, Turris has spent the entire 2009-10 season playing in the AHL.  Viktor Tikhonov and Mikkel Boedker also spent the majority of last season on the Coyotes roster and had huge expectations thrust upon them. Right now, both are struggling to score for the San Antonio Rampage.

 

Other players having disappointing seasons include:

 

Shawn Horcoff – 19 points in 45 games and making $5.5 million a year

Chris Drury – 19 points in 47 games

Sergei Samsonov – 15 points in 40 games (so much for his re-birth)

Dennis Wideman - -8 for Boston after finishing with a +32 last season

Chris Higgins – 13 points in 51 games for the Rangers

Jonathan Cheechoo – 13 points in 51 games for the Senators – did he really win the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2006?

Rod Brind’Amour – 12 points in 49 games

Andrew Cogliano – 12 points in 50 games

Ethan Moreau – 8 points in 49 games

Ville Leino – 7 points in 42 games; Justin Abdelkader – 6 points in 48 games – see my comments on them in “The Pond Chronicle”

 

McFarlane Toys recently released a promotional photo of Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson signing bases that are to be randomly included in packaging for their NHL 24 series being shipped in April.

My favorite part of the image is the framed autographed photo of Patrick Roy in the background.  That was actually my Christmas gift to Jonas.  He idolized Roy as a youth, and the photo is inscribed “To Jonas, Best of luck in your NHL career, Your friend, Patrick Roy”. Thanks for your help Patrick.

 

I have explained this philosophy to people on so many occasions that I figured it was about time I put it in writing.  While the readers of this blog are by no means my target audience for this rant, I figure they can relate to the questions being asked and the rationale behind my commentary.

 

 

Why would anyone pay for an autograph when you can get one for free?

 

When you attend a public autograph session (at Frozen Pond or elsewhere), you are not just buying an autograph.  You are purchasing an experience. 

 

Non-collectors can not understand how any sane person could pay $100+ just to get a player to scribble on their keepsake, but let us put that into perspective.  How many people are paying that same amount just to attend a hockey game in most major cities?  10,000 per game?  15,000?  They pay several hundred dollars for tickets to the game and parking.  They get a couple hours of mediocre entertainment and then go home disappointed when their team loses.

Now let’s assume you are paying $100 to meet and receive an autograph from Gordie Howe.  For that $100 you get to meet one of the greatest players ever to play the game.  You get to talk to him for a few seconds.  You get your picture with him.  You get a beautiful signature; potentially personalized just to you.  You get an appreciable asset, something that will have value in the future.  Most of all, you get a memory, something that will never be taken away from you.

 

I can guarantee the person that attended the hockey game will not have any long-lasting memories, and unless their ticket stub holds some value, there will be nothing left over to show for their money spent.  Sure it’s great to watch Alex Ovechkin play, but am I wrong to assume that the majority of people in the seats would eagerly trade in their ticket for an opportunity to meet him in person and get a souvenir autographed photo and a picture with him?

Of course you could spend your day waiting outside the arena or the team hotel for the chance that you see the player and he stops to sign your item.  But is the opportunity cost of your time not worth something?  Will the quality of the signature be anywhere near what you receive at a formal autograph function?  What are the chances you receive nothing more than a scribble, potentially signed in the wrong color and in the wrong location on your item?  What if you don’t get to see the player at all?

 

Why pay for an autograph when you can get one for free?  Why go to a concert when you can listen to the same songs on the radio?  Why go to the Super Bowl when you can watch it for free on television?  Sometimes I find the ignorance of this question to be mind-boggling.  Sure you can wait for the chance opportunity that the athlete will be signing fee autographs at a local sporting goods store.  You can arrive four hours early and get the exact same experience as I described above; all the power to you.  But using the same logic, why buy a car or flat-screen television or iPhone when there is a chance it will eventually go on sale?  Do people not buy things because it makes them feel good?

 

Canadians and Americans are fascinated with celebrities.  I can guarantee that whenever you meet or see one, you tell everyone you know.  So why do some consider it such a bad thing for people to pay for something that brings them enjoyment? 

I read a quote in a chatroom where someone was comparing autograph dealers to the lowest forms of life.  Why?  If you do not want to meet Marty Brodeur or Joe Thornton or Guy Lafleur, that is your prerogative.  No one is forcing you to spend your hard-earned money on something in which you have no interest.  But when we have 1,000+ people show up for some autograph appearances and lineups that last for over five hours, does that really make us bad people?  Is giving people what they want not the definition of capitalism?

 

 

 

I don’t understand how a player can possibly charge for his autograph.  Am I not the one paying his salary?

In most cases, the player is not charging for his autograph; the promoter is.  I am buying two hours of Doug Gilmour’s time and then re-selling it to the public in the form of an autograph.  Is that bad?

 

If you want a player to appear in your commercial, you have to pay him for his time.  If you want him to speak at your function, he needs to be compensated.  Time is money and it is naive to assume that everything these people do should be free.  Professional hockey players make countless hospital visits and community appearances without being compensated.  They also donate far more to charitable causes than most of us ever will.  But what kind of life would they have if they were expected to do everything asked of them without being offered any kind of remuneration?

 

Sure you help pay their salary.  But you also pay the salaries of school teachers, bus drivers, and politicians.  Does that give you the right to show up at their houses and expect them to do your laundry?

 

Most collectors realize how lucky it is that there is a formal industry in place to make athletes accessible to their fans.  It is much tougher to get near actors and musicians, since there are rarely formal autograph sessions in those realms.  I should know.  I tried for years to meet Shania Twain (the future Mrs. Borenstein).  I have a bunch of friends in the music industry, but they could not get me near her.  She was just too big; one of the most popular people in the world at the time.  The closest I came was an offer to sit in on a MuchMusic “Intimate and Interactive” session in downtown Toronto.  But I had already been to her concerts and did not want to see her sing or hear her talk.  I wanted a picture of the two of us, a personalized photo, and a memory.

I eventually ended up with the high bid in a charity auction and enjoyed a quick “Meet and Greet” with her in Detroit in 2003, but the experience cost me a five-figure donation to Shania’s charity.  It was worth every penny, but if there were “Frozen Pond’s” in the music business, I could have saved myself an awful lot of money.

How many hundreds of thousands of tween Jonas Brothers or Justin Bieber fans would right now pay anything for the opportunity to meet their pop idols?  If such a service was available, would it not be beneficial for both parties?    

 

I went to a Hollywood Autograph show over the summer and met the cast of Happy Days and got them to sign my picture.  I was even able to spend a few minutes talking to Ralph and Potsie.  At the same show, I was able to speak with and get my picture taken with Davy Jones.  I love the Monkees – who wouldn’t want to meet the guy that sings Daydream Believer?  A few years ago, I went to a similar show in Burbank and met Don Knotts.  Now that Mr. Furley is no longer with us, this memory is more special than most. 

Do I chastise the promoters for putting on such a show?  Do I berate the celebrities for having a fee attached to their signature?  Of course not – I value the fact that I was able to meet the people that brought me a great deal of entertainment over the years.  My office is lined with photos of these celebs and I truly treasure my encounters with them.

 

We have a great hobby, one that pays my salary and keeps me entertained year in and year out.  I just wish the naysayers would tone it down a little.  Our industry provides a ton of enjoyment and keeps famous people clothed in Armani suits long after their playing days are over.  Is that all bad?

 

I apologize for the delay since the last “Hersh Blog” and I appreciate all the calls and emails asking for an update.  I hope to get back on a regular schedule of 1-2 blogs a week.  I have definitely gathered enough material over the past few months, now I just have to find the time to write the darn things.

Colleen Howe ruffled more than a few feathers in her lifetime. 

She was the outspoken business manager of the most prominent family in the history of the sport.  She was fiercely protective of her husband and sons and often ventured into territory where women were not welcome.  She was such an argumentative negotiator that some had given her the nickname “Dragon Lady”.

She set the groundwork for wives in professional sports, handling all the back-end dealings and letting her husband concentrate on playing hockey.  She negotiated contracts, planned itineraries, and processed fan mail.  She arranged plane tickets and booked hotels for non-team travel.  She paid the bills and tucked the kids in at night while daddy was out making a living.

She was Gordie Howe’s agent, his dietician, and his counselor.  Most importantly – she was his inspiration.

She was also an award-winning video producer, sold life insurance, ran for political office in Connecticut, owned a travel agency, an Amway distributorship, and bred cattle and llamas.

I did not know this Colleen Howe.

The Colleen Howe I became friendly with in the mid-1990’s was a kind, soft-spoken, charitable woman who had taken a liking to a young memorabilia dealer that started spending a lot of money with her company, Power Play International Inc.  She was a young senior citizen who loved telling me stories about playing “hard to get” when Gordie was courting her and asking my thoughts on the future of the autograph industry.

In 1997, The Howe’s treated me to a vacation in Sarasota, Florida, never once letting me reach into my pocket to pay for anything.  I ate with them three meals a day and learned the inner-workings behind hockey’s first family.  We went for long walks on the beach searching for seashells that Gordie enjoyed gifting to children on the hike back.  The three of us threw a softball around and spent a lot of time just hanging out in the sun.  During this time I was able to learn what good people they really were.

Colleen was excited about the success of their new book and all the money it was mustering for charitable causes.  “And…Howe!” ended up selling more than135,000 copies and raising over $1 million for The Howe Foundation.  Colleen’s great love for people and especially children gave her the vision to create a foundation that would generate money for kids of all ages in need.  Her mission was to improve the quality of life through developing programs for children in physical or psychological crisis. 

I was a guest in their house in the affluent Bloomfield Hills suburb of Detroit.  I will always remember the tour given to me by Mr. and Mrs. Hockey.  Whenever I spoke to Gordie on the phone, Colleen would grab the receiver and ask what was new in my love life.  By this time she was no longer a business partner; she was a friend.

Colleen and Gordie were invited guests to the Grand Opening of our new store in June of 2000.  They came on their own dime and proceeded to sign autographs and pose for photos with everyone that asked.  In my speech, I referred to the Howe’s as my surrogate grandparents and thanked them for all their contributions to the success of Frozen Pond.  Gordie was visibly moved when I presented him with a “Mr. Hockey” license plate that once had belonged to the legendary Eddie Shore, and Colleen could not thank me enough for my kindness.  I remember Gordie would not pose for pictures with the Toronto Argonaut cheerleaders that were on hand for fear that Colleen would get mad at him.  J

I first noticed all was not well with Colleen at the 2002 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.  She was becoming forgetful and I was asked not to leave her alone.  I was not given any information as to her health at that time, but it was obvious something was not right.  This ended up being the last time I ever saw or spoke to Colleen.

 

Eventually the Howe family went public with her medical condition.  Pick’s Disease is a rare form of dementia characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of social skills and changes in personality leading to impairment of intellect, memory, and language.  

 

I remember Gordie telling me that eventually all she cared about was their dog, a teacup poodle named Rocket, and she barely recognized him anymore.  She had not spoken in over three years and her quality of life had deteriorated rapidly.  She required constant care and had at least three nurses and Gordie watching her round-the-clock.

 

Still, Gordie felt a sense of fulfillment in taking care of Colleen.  After all she had done for him; it was nice that he could now be there for her.  Occasionally she would squeeze his hand when he tucked her into bed at night and that would bring a big smile to his face.

 

Colleen stopped eating last week and was put on an IV for nourishment.  But her frail veins could not hold the needle and it was eventually decided to let nature take its course.  Still, Gordie was not prepared and has not taken Colleen’s death well.  Several friends and former teammates have called with their support, and the arrival of the Howe’s four children has made things a little easier on the family patriarch.  But a tough week lies ahead.

 

We will miss you, Mrs. Hockey, and our prayers are with you Gordie and the rest of the Howe family. 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial tributes to: The Howe Foundation, 4935 Fernlee, Royal Oak, Mich. 48073 (MrandMrsHockey.com) or The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias, 1616 Walnut, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, Penn. 19103 (www.ftd-picks.org).