Players you know?

[Nairb06]

If you know a player or grew up around them would you collect them?

I have lived in lemont Illinois my whole life, it is not the biggest of towns and it is not known as a place for athletes to come from. But Blackhawks back up goalie Scott darling is from here. I am younger then him but I remember seeing him around in school and stuff. He doesn't know me nor do I know him, but i do remember him. Yesterday he brought the cup back home and he had it about 30 seconds away from my house.

Another person is Coby Fleener tight end for the Indianapolis colts. I grew up 2 streets down from him and he was part of the group of kids we played football with growing up. I am one year younger then him. I don't know him on a personal level but I do know him. I doubt he would recognize me, but there is a very small possibility. I went to the same school as him until he transferred to a better football high school his sophomore year.

So my question to you.. Would you collect either of them for being local? Do you collect local players?

[RGM81]

Being a local boy is one of the main reasons I've collected Josh Gorges all these years.

[theboxbreaker96]

Matt Clement MLB pitcher for Cubs and Redsox about 7 years ago is a distant cousin of mine. I have met him once and my dad knows him better. Got knocked out 2 times from line drives back at him in the majors.

Don't collect MLB cards though.

[hossa18sens]

I have been lucky enough to have lunch and golf with Billy Smith on more than one occasion through work.

I do collect his stuff and have several things signed by him and also got to try on his 4 Stanley Cup rings.
http://s247.photobucket.com/user/hos...?sort=6&page=1

[joshpackham]

I collect Nathan Horton and Matt Johnson because I know them and their families

[flemingc04]

Played on the same team as Joffrey Lupul one season when we were young and was friends with Mike Commodore's brother. Other than that, I got to know a lot of the Belleville Bulls over the past couple seasons.

[MattDMC]

My sister and her boyfriend went to Western Michigan at the same time as Danny Dekeyser and knew him off the ice which led to me getting to meet him a few times during his college years a few years back.

Thats all I have for knowing any NHLers.

[Scobes]

I went to school with Chris Bala and Patrick Rissmiller, former NHLers. Bala was two years ahead of me so probably didn't know me. Rissmiller lived in the dorm room across the hall so he knew me a little better. I collect their cards as well as an older player (Bob Kudelski) who graduated from my high school.

Scobes

[Walter Sobchak]

Dont really know too many NHLers but my brother used to skate with Justin Bailey locally. I have had much more interactions with NFL guys. I played on a team in youth football for a 2 years with superbowl winning running back James Starks and then played against him in high school. I also played in a double overtime game in high school that featured 2 NFL players with the last name Gronkowski. Rob Gronk was actually my blocking assignment and (mostly because he wasnt in the best shape in high school lol) i sort of held my own. We happened to win that game in double OT which holds a spot as my favorite personal sports moment lol. Kind of cool hearing about peoples interactions with the athletes we collect

[miscs75]

I had a massive Theo Peckham PC going and I have one currently of a player who plays in the DEL. I've skated with a bunch of guys who are playing places if that counts too.