WMUCarGuy 8 Report post Posted September 9, 2011 For those of you who have been before, I have a few questions. 1. How crowded has it been in the past? 2. It starts at 11, but do doors open any earlier than that? 3. Does the Joe allow fans to line up outside to wait ahead of the doors opening? 4. For the autographs, does each player have an individual line or do all of the players for a time frame just sit at one table and you just move down the line and get everyone's signature? 5. Will the souvineer stands be open to purchase items to have signed on top of what I bring with me? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonNewEra 84 Report post Posted September 9, 2011 1. How crowded has it been in the past? A: Last year was bad. They had everything on the ice area, and a bunch of people in the stands waiting for Autographs. Not to mention the people in the locker room. I'd say about 2,000 people were there. 2. It starts at 11, but do doors open any earlier than that? A: No, they make you wait. 3. Does the Joe allow fans to line up outside to wait ahead of the doors opening? A: I assume they'd have no problem with that. I got there late last year but where would they put everyone if they didn't? 4. For the autographs, does each player have an individual line or do all of the players for a time frame just sit at one table and you just move down the line and get everyone's signature? A: Last year was odd. They had a table in the Zamboni area where two players would sit. They lined everybody up in a line that would wrap up into the stands. It didn't work very good and made for a lot of angry fans when they couldn't get an autograph. This year, as far as I can guess, they will be setting up multiple tables in the main walkway. They will rotate the players every hour or so. In other words, you are not guaranteed anything. 5. Will the souvenir stands be open to purchase items to have signed on top of what I bring with me? A: They weren't last year, and if they line people up in that area for auto's, they will probably be closed again. Hope that helped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit40oz 21 Report post Posted September 9, 2011 to add to Q's 4 and 5: 4. For the autographs, does each player have an individual line or do all of the players for a time frame just sit at one table and you just move down the line and get everyone's signature? - It's going to be set up with multiple tables, and either 1 or 2 players at each table and signing for anywhere between 1-2 hours each. I'm bringing puck's and a silver pen because you don't know who will be at the table when you get there. (except for the alumni table) 5. Will the souvineer stands be open to purchase items to have signed on top of what I bring with Yes. http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=72586 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WMUCarGuy 8 Report post Posted September 9, 2011 Man, ALL I want is my Lidstrom jersey signed! I don't care if I get anyone else's signature. I hope it works out. I'm thinking of getting down there around 8-9 to line up outside in hopes it increases my chances. Also, what's the parking situation like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit40oz 21 Report post Posted September 9, 2011 There's a lot directly across from the west side of the arena that will be open for tomorrow. If you get there early you should definitely be good with parking there. Alternately, there's lots of free parking along Fort St. and elsewhere. The lot on the west side of JLA is only gonna be 5 bucks and is literally right across the street. I'd go that route if its not full when you get down there. And don't pay the 10 dollars independent lots will probably be asking, there's gonna be plenty of safe free street parking in the AM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WMUCarGuy 8 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 Perhaps the big question though, should I have Nick sign in black or red on the number of my winter classic jersey? The number is white. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit40oz 21 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 Definitely black. I've never seen a number signed in red, but I don't imagine it holding up over time as well as black would, and Jersey's i've seen signed are almost always in black. Good luck with the Lidstrom auto though! If you don't end up getting him, he usually does public in store signings a couple times a year for around 40 bucks, which is worth it considering you're getting a jersey signed. He's also probably not leaving Detroit any time soon, so you've got some time if it doesn't happen today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WMUCarGuy 8 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 Definitely black. I've never seen a number signed in red, but I don't imagine it holding up over time as well as black would, and Jersey's i've seen signed are almost always in black. Good luck with the Lidstrom auto though! If you don't end up getting him, he usually does public in store signings a couple times a year for around 40 bucks, which is worth it considering you're getting a jersey signed. He's also probably not leaving Detroit any time soon, so you've got some time if it doesn't happen today. Welp, didn't manage to get Lidstrom's signature, which was a drag, but I did get pucks signed by Kindl, White, Conklin, Howard, Mursak, Zetterberg, Ericsson and Kronwall. Definitely not a bad day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted September 11, 2011 Welp, didn't manage to get Lidstrom's signature, which was a drag, but I did get pucks signed by Kindl, White, Conklin, Howard, Mursak, Zetterberg, Ericsson and Kronwall. Definitely not a bad day! Not a bad set. Got Bertuzzi, White, Kindl, Mursak, Conklin, Franzen, Kronwall, Legace, Wooley and Cleary. Just barely made it for Kronners- they were shutting down a few people after us. I used my Helm sweater I had signed at a signing in Woodhaven- it's pretty crowded on the back now! Awesome day- well worth it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoshuaW92 9 Report post Posted September 11, 2011 It was my first time going to this and it was quite the experience. I got autographed pucks from White, Commodore, Ericcson, Mursak, Cleary, Helm, Holmstrom, and Bertuzzi. I got 2 of my jerseys signed (Datsyuk and Franzen) along with a photo of each player. Also, my wife got said guys to all sign another item for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper84 333 Report post Posted September 11, 2011 I took my 11 year old neighbor who plays hockey and is a huge Red Wing, specifically Hank fan. We were in line for Homer, and they stopped the line 1 person in front of us because Homer was swapping out. Next thing I know, my little neighbor is screaming her head off as Hank sits down right in front of her, getting ready to sign our stuff. We stood in long lines, managed to get 3 signatures, but the three we got were the 3 out of the 4 we really wanted and ended up very happy. Hank, Lids and Mule. My neighbor likes to ask questions, I mean she never stops. First thing she does when she gets up to Mule's table, "How's Eddie Bo?" Mule laughs, says He's great, thank you for asking. When we got home, she tells everyone that she had a conversation with "Yo-Hannn". Comedy, this kid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit40oz 21 Report post Posted September 12, 2011 From people I talked to at hockeyfest and the post's here, it seems like everyone there for autographs did pretty well. I was on ice level checking things out for maybe a half hour, but I've seen and done most of those things at past hockeyfest's and at the Motor City Casino soundboard game viewing parties. I went there with the main goal of getting Dino Ciccarelli on my Hall of Fame stick I've been collecting signatures on since 98'. Everything aside from that would be a bonus, and Just getting Dino on the stick would have made my day. He was gonna start signing at 11:30. the line outside for 9 dollar game tickets was around 2 hours long at 10am, so I didnt mess with that and went straight to the alumni table when doors opened. Nick Libett was signing along with Dino, but Dino was running about 20 minutes late, so most of the people waiting just decided to leave. I ended up being one of the first few in line and got my stick signed on the blade, and went back in line again and got pucks signed because the line was literally only about 20 people deep. Then I went into the Ian White line which had about 20 people in it, got him on a puck, and Bertuzzi came to the table to sign right after that. I went back into the line which still only had a handful of people, and got Bertuzzi on an 8x10 that I brought on the off chance I would be in his line. Then I went back into the Bertuzzi line because almost nobody was there yet and I got my Hockeytown poster signed. Eventually his line was pretty packed. i was intensely hungover and running on 4 hours of sleep and thought about just leaving, but I got some coffee and a soft pretzel and soldiered on. I ended up with the following: Dino is on the blade, and other signatures already on the shaft are: Ted Lindsay Henri Richard Johnny Bower Alex Delvecchio Eddie Giacomin Yvan Cournoyer Bobby Hull Bill Gadsby Hockeytown Poster: Current Players- Todd Bertuzzi Ian White Alumni: Brent Fedyk Dennis Hextal Manny Legace Nick Libett Eddie Mio Jason Wooley Pucks: (2) Dino Ciccarelli w/ Hall of Fame inscription Current Players: Johan Franzen Mike Commodore Niklas Kronwall Jimmy Howard Jakub Kindl Jan Mursak Ian White Cards: Manny Legace Ty Conklin My mom came with, and got all of the players we got sigs from on a blank jersey she has: Definitely good times, and the lines for autographs were way more organized than past hockeyfests. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
