Fall 2016 Sportcard & Memorabilia Expo to bring in plenty of local favorites
By Stephen Laroche | Beckett Hockey Editor
The Fall 2016 Sportcard & Memorabilia Expo is just a few weeks away, but autograph hunters are already gearing up for a lineup which has some of the greatest players to ever skate for the Toronto Maple Leafs along with others from the sporting world that are sure to draw a crowd.
Most of the athletes in attendance are being brought in by A.J. Sportsworld and their area of the show floor at the International Centre just outside of Toronto will be busy throughout the weekend of November 11 to 13. Several other guests are coming in via Frameworth, Frozen Pond, and CoJo Sport Collectables. With the Maple Leafs entering their centennial season, fans in Toronto are hopeful for the future due to the team’s strong pool of prospects, but it is also a time to celebrate some of its legends.
The show begins with former captain and Hockey Hall of Fame member Darryl Sittler on Friday at 3:00 p.m. A member of the Maple Leafs from 1970-71 to 1981-82, he not only scored an NHL record 10 points in a single game during the 1975-76 season, but also scored the winning goal in the 1976 Canada Cup. His autographs start at $45.00 each for regular items (such as cards, toys, pucks, books, and small photos) and increase to $65.00 for medium-sized items like 16″ x 20″ photos or canvases. For those wanting premium items like jerseys, numbers, or equipment signed, the fee is $99.00.
Following Sittler that evening are four other Maple Leafs alumni in Don Marshall (6:00, price ranges from $20.00 to $30.00), Claire Alexander (6:00, $10.00 for any item), Jamie Macoun (7:00, $20.00 to $30.00), and Gary Roberts (7:00, $30.00 to $40.00). Marshall is one of the last living members of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty that won five straight Stanley Cup championships from 1955-56 to 1959-60 before retiring in Toronto while Alexander, who famously worked as a milkman during his playing days, patrolled the blue line for the Leafs in the 1970s and was one of Wayne Gretzky’s first pro teammates in the World Hockey Association. Macoun was part of the successful Maple Leafs teams in the early 1990s and Roberts had a strong run with the team in the early 2000s. Both Macoun and Roberts won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1988-89 as well.
Moving on to Saturday, the show begins with former teammates, A.J. exclusives, and local legends Wendel Clark (11:00, $45.00 to $65.00) and Doug Gilmour (11:00, $45.00 to $65.00). They are followed at noon by former Toronto Raptors star Tracy McGrady ($89.00 to $179.00) before a trio of 1970s Leafs stars show up at 3:00 in Borje Salming ($25.00 to $45.00), Lanny McDonald ($35.00 to $65.00), and the NHL’s all-time penalty minutes leader Dave “Tiger” Williams ($20.00 to $30.00).
Two Hall of Fame members of the Chicago Blackhawks are also in the house as goaltending legend Tony Esposito arrives at noon ($70 to $90) and the Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, gets ready to greet fans at 2:30 ($40 to $60). There is also the possibility of a question & answer session with Hull that is open to attendees. Sportscaster Ken Reid is also signing copies of his books, including the new One Night Only ($20 for book and signature), on both Saturday and Sunday (11:00 to 1:00 both days).
Even though the show closes on Sunday, there are still plenty of intriguing autograph guests. Fans of the movie Slap Shot will be happy to see Yvon Barrette, who played frazzled Charlestown Chiefs goalie Denis Lemieux (all day, $30.00 to $40.00).
Sunday’s lineup also includes former NHL players Mike Palmateer (11:00, $20.00 to $70.00), Warren Skorodenski (11:00, $20.00 to $30.00), Rick Ley (11:00, $20 to $30), Ed Belfour (1:00, $50.00 to $90.00), and Johnny Bower (1:00, $20.00 for any item). Former MLB pitcher Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams (12:00, $25.00 to $40.00) sportingly stops by in the city where he served up the winning run of the 1993 World Series and Toronto Raptors rookie Jakob Poeltl and sophomore Norman Powell (both 3:00, $25.00 to $45.00)will also stop by to meet their supporters.
Rounding out the autograph lineup is current Maple Leafs starting goaltender Frederik Andersen (via Frozen Pond at 2:30, $49 to $75) along with one of hockey’s most controversial coaches, Mike Keenan (AJ’s, 3:00, $30 to $40.00). Frameworth is bringing in two of its exclusive athletes in Maple Leafs stars James Van Riemsdyk and Morgan Rielly (2:30, $49 to $85) while CoJo Sports has Matt Martin coming to the show (2:30, $30 to $45).
Additionally, expect to hear plenty of cries of “Wooooo!” as pro wrestling legend Ric Flair (11:00, $40 for regular items, $50 for photo op, and $80 for both) will be stylin’ and profilin’ at the Expo. Both Flair and Keenan will also be participating in Q&A sessions that collectors are able to attend.
Ryan Smyth and Scotty Bowman had been scheduled to appear previously, but they have had to cancel.
There are also VIP packages available for Gilmour, Clark, McGrady, Salming, and Belfour. For information on rates for mail-in or drop off autograph fees, personalizations, or inscriptions, please consult the A.J. Sportsworld website or the Sportcard Expo’s website.
Keep an eye on the Beckett news page regarding our plans for the Expo, redemption programs, and any additional changes to the autograph lineup.
Stephen Laroche is the editor of Beckett Hockey, Beckett Basketball, and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at slaroche@beckett.com or follow him on Twitter @Stephen_Laroche.
Can’t wait, who from Beckett will be there