MEET JON: “I’m a 35-year-old teacher’s assistant and disabled Navy veteran living in Havelock, North Carolina. I’m also a rabid fan of the Carolina Hurricanes, making the 300-mile round trip to Raleigh 15-20 times a year to watch the team practice or play.” GETTING STARTED: “In 2016, I was going under the knife for hip surgery with a lengthy recovery period, and needed something to do during my down time. I purchased a tin of 2015-16 Upper Deck Series One and was instantly hooked on the hobby.”
THE COLLECTION: “I collect American-born Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk, along with through-the-mail autographs of past and present Hurricanes players, scouts and executives. I own 181 different Justin Faulk cards, including many printing plates, patch cards as well as autographs. I also have more than 120 autographed cards and pucks of current and past ‘Canes, including Hall of Famer Ron Francis.”