Photos of the Collection Updates For February 23rd and 24th and March 2nd and 5th, 2007

While I could do descriptions for what I've added to my collection recently, I think I'll let the pictures do the talking this time...especially as someone just glad to have everything finally updated.

February 23rd, 2007

The back of the 1993-94 Pittsburgh Penguins Highlights video.

And in honor of that date being the first anniversary of Ron Francis Day in Sault Ste. Marie, ON...

And yes, you are seeing the ticket correct...it says "No. 248". What it doesn't say is that it was/is out of the *very limited* number of 350 or so.

February 24th, 2007

The most noteworthy pictures from the Penguins Reports...

From the January 9th, 1998 visit to the Pittsburgh Children's Hospital.

The poster in the "Ron Francis Tribute" issue.

The second of three times Ronnie would ever get to hold the Prince of Wales Trophy.

Ronnie's *very brief* stint of coaching during the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Florida Panthers, thanks to injuring his leg before the series began.

From the 1992 Stanley Cup celebration at Three Rivers Stadium.

And last, but certainly not least, Ronnie with one of the many participants in his then beginning "Night Out" charity program...which continued through into his time playing with the Carolina Hurricanes.

March 2nd, 2007

The 1994-95 Penguins Calendar...cover and Ron's respective page.

Ron's being featured as "Player of the Week" in The Hockey News.

And last, but certainly not least...

Quite possibly the last Junior Hockey Magazine (circa September/October 1981) to mention Ron Francis, at least as a Soo Greyhound, before his big call-up to the Whale.

Current Music: "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts

AT LONG LAST: Site Update For March 6th, 2007 and Collection Updates For February 23rd and 24th, and March 2nd and 5th, 2007

Did I say site and collection updates were coming ASAP? Oops...looks like I fibbed a little there. But, I think I've done pretty well, considering everything I had to go through and scan. And that everything included...

- The 1993-94 Pittsburgh Penguins Highlight Tape

- The 1994-95 Penguins Shop 'N Save Calendar

- A 2006-07 In The Game Heroes and Prospects "Silver" Memorabilia Used Jersey Card

- An issue of The Hockey News where Ron was named Player of the Week!

- A Junior Hockey Magazine released right before Ronnie became a Whaler AND NHLer for good.

- EIGHT Ice Time Programs

- And, TWENTY-SEVEN Penguins Report Newspapers!!

Yes, you read that right...twenty freakin' seven editions of the Penguins Report newspaper, primarily from the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. Folks, twenty-seven issues is A LOT. In addition to cleaning and spiffying up the website here and there, I had to scan each and every one of those in both senses of looking for articles about and/or pictures of Ron AND scanning the pictures, if there were any, to save in my computer's archives.

Anyway, for the wait I've put y'all through, I will make sure you get paid handsomely in the form of pictures from and of the newbies in my collection...AND ALSO the Ron Francis Day ticket and program I promised over a year ago...just check out the post above this one, coming later today.

Current Music: "Stars In Your Eyes" by Chieli Minucci

Site and Collection Update for January 30th/31st, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen...boys and girls of all ages...yesterday/today is quite the milestone for my collection. After seeing it at the 2003 Caniac Carnival (while waiting in line for an autograph from you-know-who ;) ) and then seeking it for a little over three years, I am finally in possession of...

A 2000-01 CAROLINA HURRICANES SEASON TICKET HOLDERS PARTY SOUVENIR LITHOGRAPH!!!

No, it's not the limited edition that is autographed by the artist, but who cares. The "regular version" of this sucker was hard to find...which is really not too surprising, considering that it is the absolute first in the series of lithographs the Carolina Hurricanes have given to their season ticket holders for each season, at least up through last season. Unfortunately, unless there's news about season ticket holders getting their 2006-07 lithos via the USPS or UPS or Fed-Ex, the "tradition" looks to quite possibly end with the 2005-06 season, the last featured player being Eric Staal.

Within three-four hours of getting the litho, I had it framed and hung in my bedroom/office area. It is truly a thing of beauty...the picture of it that was on the Canes' official website...




...did/does not do it justice. Pictures of the litho have to be seen to be believed.

Those pictures will come sometime before the end of this upcoming weekend. If there is anything I'm going to try my darndest to be better about, it will be having more pictures of my collection on my site.

A November 1986 issue of the Hockey Digest with an article about Francis and his maturing as a player and captain with the Hartford Whalers also arrived today. That made for a read that was far more amusing than the former Whale's performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.

Thank goodness AND KAS91269 @ the Score Boards Canes Message Board for the litho...I honestly cannot thank KAS enough for his wonderful help in my finally obtaining what I can very safely call the crown jewel of my Ron Francis collection thus far. :D

Current Music: "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel