Alexander Frolov Autograph Card

Two weeks ago, after a year away from the game, Alexander Frolov announced he would come out of retirement and return to his former KHL club, Novgorod Torpedo Nizhny. His last KHL had been Moscow CSKA (i.e. the former Central Red Army team, now something closer to Central Athletics Team), and his last NHL team was the New York Rangers, in an injury-filled 2010-11 season.

However, in North America, he will mostly be remembered as the highlight-reel goal scorer and possession behemoth who spent 7 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and only once outside of his rookie season had less than 50 points, in his 48-point sophomore season in 2003-04.

Internationally, he has suited up for Team Russia on seven different occasions, medalling 4 times, with gold at the World Juniors (2002) and World Championships (2009) and well as World Championship silver (2010) and bronze (2007). He has participated in the World Cup (2004) and Olympics (2006) as well.

Here he is wearing the Kings' black and purple home uniform, from Upper Deck's 2006-07 SP Authentic set, card #ST-AF of the Sign Of The Times sub-set, signed on-card in blue sharpie, with his uniform number (24) included:

I preferred it when players didn't have their numbers on their helmets, as shown here; I find it cheapens the overall look, whereas this old look was sleeker.