Stephane Fiset

Players' in-person Signing Habits

Me with Arturs Irbe
(This picture was published in Beckett Hockey Collector, 9/2000)

Here is my guide to getting autographs in person. Where do they stay? What do you bring? What can you expect? What are some examples of good and not-so-good autographs? Here's hopefully one of the most complete autograph guides in-person available. For a list of players' in-person signing habits as rated by me, click on the link at the top of this page.

WHAT DO YOU BRING?

Pens: First of all, it would be nice to bring something to sign with. Otherwise, you'll have to bum a pen off of someone else, which makes you look like a fool. Sharpies are usual, and sometimes I even see someone using a Lumocolor pen. These are both really good. I do not suggest that you use Black Sharpies. Over time, the black turns yellowish and the autograph is no good anymore. I've seen that happen on a few of my cards. So stick to blue or green or whatever, just no black. Sharpies are perfect for signing 8 x 10's, cards, and almost anything. Don't use paint pens on cards or 8 x 10's. Pucks look good with silver paint pen. Jerseys and hats, well those depend on the color. Sharpies and paint pens are both pretty good on jerseys, except that a Sharpie's point is usually gone by the time a few signatures are given on cloth.

Items to get signed: Here's something you also might want to bring. It all depends on what you want to get signed. Some people collect a set of trading cards, some do pucks, some do jerseys, some do 8 x 10's, and some do a little bit of everything. Here are some tips on some common items.
Trading cards: In-person autograph opportunities provide you with an excellent opportunity to get that favorite set of yours signed. Check which players you'll be needing and you're on your way! If you are bringing other cards to get signed, make sure that the glossy ones are rubbed down. Pacific Paramount, Upper Deck, Topps, Pacific, and most all of the cards in the Pacific line are horrible; they have craploads of UV coating. Be sure that you rub those cards down with a vinyl eraser or something.
Photos: These are among the best items to get signed. 8 x 10 photos usually go for around $3-$6 at a card shop. There are also 16 x 20's available for wholesale, at PhotoFile. These are both glossy, but need no rubbing down. Obviously, you should use a Sharpie or Lumo on this. Do not touch the autograph for a minute or two, otherwise the 8x10 will smear and will look like crap. 16x20's are awkward and apparently do not fit into binders, as 8x10's do. Take care of these, because they will be worth something!
Pucks: The success of getting pucks signed is directly proportional to the quality of your paint pen, and whether it will sign well. I've gotten beautiful signatures on pucks before, and of course, I've also gotten crap quality signatures. Make sure the paint pen is shaken well. Also make sure there's ink left in it. Always test it before you hand it to a player. Pucks are great because you can get anyone on the team to sign it. If that player is a rookie or a star, it will be worth money in the long run.
Jerseys and Hats: These are both good things to get the whole team on. Usually, light jerseys work better because you won't have to mess around with a paint pen. If there's a featured player on the back of the jersey, you can get it on the numbers. I haven't done much in this category, but my friend Jon has a jersey signed by all the Sharks.
Other Stuff: There's some unique things that I've seen people collect. Magazine covers can look good. I've seen a few try to get Starting Lineup figures signed. They look great when signed on the base. I've seen Hockey Beanie bears get signed on the tags, and mini goalie masks and player helmets signed. I'm sure that there's some other stuff that I missed here.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET THIS STUFF SIGNED?

It all depends on the city, and where the hotels/arenas/practice rinks are. Most modern arenas have underground parking which allows the team bus to park in a fenced-off lot usually with a bitch of a security guard. Here's a few places to get the signatures you oh-so-desperately want.
At the Arena: As I said, most new arenas have underground parking. The home team drives their cars in. Find out where this place is and wait outside the entrance, and they might stop. More often than not, there is a security guard who despises autograph hounds. He/she/it might put up barricades on both sides of the driveway. If this is the case, then you're screwed for most of the autographs. On a beautiful day, some of the visiting team might walk into the arena. If they enter through the arena in a different entrance, go there. In older arenas like the Saddledome, the bus has to stop and the players have to get off and walk in. This is a gold mine, as the players are easily accessible when walking in.
At the Hotel: Here's another primo spot. If you can't get 'em at the arena, then get them at the hotel. Which hotel is it? Here's a way you might not have considered. Call the hotel. Don't ask if <team name> is staying there. For example you might want to ask: "Hi, I was wondering if Guy Carbonneau has checked in." If they connect you, I would hang up as quickly as possible, as to avoid disturbing the players. If they aren't finding anyone under that name, then ask for someone else. If you get two no's for an answer, then try another hotel you know the NHL teams stay at. At the hotel, do not get them inside. They will probably boot you outside. You should wait outside the hotel. Many hotels with atriums do not let autograph seekers stand in the atrium. This isn't very good, because you'll have to call the players over to the sidewalk to sign, and the more elusive players will bolt away in cabs. Don't disobey the rules and bolt into the atrium or into the hotel. Usually there is a hotel security guard there who will kick you out. If you do it multiple times they can arrest you for trespassing. I've seen it done before. The only exception to this is when a player waves you over into the atrium so he doesn't have to walk over to the sidewalk. What if the hotel doesn't have an atrium? Well, man, you sure lucked out! Here in San Jose, the Hotel De Anza doesn't have an atrium. I've gotten tricky players like Paul Coffey to sign there. The players walk from there because it's only 1/3 mile away from the arena.
Practices: This is also excellent if you can find out where they exit. There is no underground parking in the practice facilities, so you can get the home team as they walk to their cars.
Special Events: Fanfests and charity events are pretty good places to get autographs. But be prepared to wait hours in line to get only one autograph. The good side to all this? It's usually a sweet autograph. If you're looking for quality instead of quanitity, this is your place!

WHAT DO YOU KEEP IN MIND WHILE GETTING 'SIGS?

Common courtesy, and sense, go a long way. Here are a few pointers to help.
Organization: Being organized helps a helluva lot sometimes. You should have your cards, pucks, photos, etc in a place which you can get them easily. I don't really use those photo corner things, I stick to the old-fashioned binder way. If you use a binder, put two-three in a pocket, and stick the cards out a little so you can grab them easily. Again, this is how I do it. Whatever is the most organized way for you is usually the best.
Know the players: Yeah, here's something that also could come in handy. You know, it is frustrating to veteran collectors when a rookie says, "who's that, who's that?" like he's your annoying little brother or something. Do a little research. Find out what the heck they look like. And if you're pressed for time, at least know your superstar players. It sucks when you miss someone when you don't know who it is but you know he's a player. I print out all the head shots of the players and ex-NHL personnel on the team, using Microsoft Word. If I don't know who it is, I'll have him sign that sheet. That way, I'll know.
Be Polite: Another important thing to remember. If for some reason unknown the player chooses not to sign, that's his decision. I've seen people yell at the player, saying "You suck!" or "Messier is a jerk!" This not only pisses off the player, it also decreases the chance for autographs by that player, or on a grander scale, even the team! Also, you don't have to start a brawl to get through the crowd to that superstar. Just be polite, and respect the player's space. Don't go into the hotel; wait outside. Just use common sense!

The end.

You can e-mail me to complain about the similarity of this guide to Kuch's guide.