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July 6, 2009
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
NHL Team Reports
News & Views As veteran Star Mike Modano prepares to skate into his 20th NHL campaign, Dallas charts a different direction with a new coach and GM in place Dallas TOM HICKS DESCRIBED it as shaking things up a bit. The owner of the Dallas Stars said switching up the GM and coaching staff in June were a sign the team definitely has high standards. “To be honest, this team is about winning championships and we need to get back to that,” Hicks said. “We need to get our edge back.” So out went the patient Les Jackson – co-GM Brett Hull had pretty much become just a figurehead by the end – and in comes a very determined Joe Nieuwendyk (Jackson and Hull both were reassigned within the Stars organization). Out went the too-kind Dave…
PROVING HIS ’VIRTH
Michal Neuvirth Hershey Bears Ht. 6-1 Wt. 193 Pos. G Age 21 AND COUNTING 4 Number of shutouts posted by Neuvirth during the playoffs WATCHING SIMEON VARLAMOV carry the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup playoffs gave Michal Neuvirth incentive to do the same for the Caps’ farm team. Only Neuvirth – who at 21 is just a month older than Varlamov – took it a step further. In his first full season in North America, Neuvirth led the Hershey Bears to their 10th Calder Cup championship and earned the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP. “We knew he had the talent,” said Bears coach Bob Woods of Neuvirth. “Talking to (Caps goalie coach) Dave Prior, they had high hopes for him. He said, ‘He’s a guy who could win a Cup for us,’ and he was right. With Varlamov…
BEST OF THE REST THE CHAMPIONS
CALDER CUP BEARS RACK UP RECORD TITLE With scoring and leadership from veterans and an MVP performance from a rookie goaltender, the Hershey Bears added another chapter to their legacy. Hershey’s victory over the Manitoba Moose in the Calder Cup final gave the Bears franchise its record 10th AHL championship and second in four years. In its 71st season of operation Hershey had shared the record of nine titles with the original Cleveland Barons. The Bears’ 21 final appearances are also the most in the league’s 73-year history. “It means a lot to the organization,” said 36-year-old Hershey captain Bryan Helmer. “They expect a lot here in Hershey. Somebody said to me this year that Hershey is like the New York Yankees of hockey. That says a lot about your organization. To bring a 10th…
ZEZEL’S LEGACY
Peter Zezel’s minor league stay was short, but impactful. Zezel, who died May 26 following complications from a rare and incurable blood disorder, played 35 games for the Albany River Rats in 1997-98 and represented them at the AHL All-Star Game. “He’d do anything for anybody; all you had to do was ask,” said Albany assistant coach Geordie Kinnear, who captained that Rats team. Zezel was a veteran of 800-plus NHL games when he arrived in Albany. It was the only full-time minor league assignment of his 15-year playing career. “When he got sent down, he never pouted or did anything negative,” Kinnear said. “The guy was unbelievable. He was on an NHL salary, so we had sushi on the bus more often than not.” Zezel was MVP of the 1998 AHL All-Star Game,…
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