In an effort to ween myself off of online sports wagering, I've decided to instead spend my idle time on the web perusing sports memorabilia. I have had some difficulty finding good, reputable, sources for legit sports merchandise in Canada. I have been happy with the results from Pristine Auction. Although as it is a US based auction house, I am always gutted by the steep International freight charges and the exchange rate.

I have mostly stayed away from cards for now, because I am ignorant of their market values and have little desire to start spending money on Beckett magazines and things like that. It's all just for my personal collection, so the values are truly just relative to me.

I am looking for some ideas for how to best present my collection. I have shadowboxes and things, and I am storing my merch in my home office for now, but I am struggling to envision the overall esthetic that I want for my future basement "fan-cave".

I am starting to collect Boxing, Football, and pop culture memorabilia now, but my main focus has been, of course, your Ottawa Senators. When it comes to unsigned, random, Sens merch, I am up to: 8 official team jerseys (two of which are fully lettered), 11 different hats, an 8x10 framed Alfie collage, an 8x10 framed Spezza collage, several t-shirts, Todd MacFarlane Alfie figurine, a metallic Sens locker room sign, blankets, bottle openers, playing cards, coasters, OCC chopper model, NHL branded Zombie figure, beer steins, wash cloths, baby bibs and pacifiers, a plush teddy bear, a bendy action figure, a Molson replica Stanley Cup ring, lighter covers, Score in-game program and ticket stubs, pez dispensers, and a barbeque set. When it comes to autographed Sens merch, I now own:

- Brady Tkachuk 8x10 photo
- Tim Stutzle Draft Puck
- Erik Karlsson 18x20 poster
- Mike Fisher Card
- Matt Puempel Rookie Card
- Mathieu Joseph Tampa Bay Jersey
- Erik Brannstom Sens logo puck
- Anton Volchenkov + Chris Phillips white Sens logo puck

My newest addition will be this 8x10 pic of G (just won this at Pristine this past weekend for $18 USD):






Here are some neat fancaves that currently inspire me:










Do you have a triumphant collections of Sens merch? Do you own a unique autographed piece with a cool story? Did Borocop come shovel your car out of the ditch one time? Do you have an epic fan cave that you wouldn't mind a stranger "borrowing" some of your ideas? Can you reccomend a reputable Canadian source for awesome Senators gear?

Show your pride and share your best in the comments below! GSG!