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March 1, 2010
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.
‘BLUELINE BALLADEER’
“Now I’m just one warrior with this simple tale, But I swear to heaven every word is true, And every Warrior of Winter from Howe to Gretzky Has a distinct, yet similar, tale for you.”– excerpt from Warriors of Winter SHELDON KANNEGIESSER’S TALE, contrary to the lines penned in the title poem of his book Warriors of Winter: Rhymes of a Blueline Balladeer, is quite dissimilar from that of the typical retired professional hockey player. The North Bay, Ont., native’s pro career spanned 11 seasons, including 366 games and 81 points over eight years manning NHL bluelines, starting with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1970-71 and finishing up as a Vancouver Canuck in ’77-78. The journeyman’s longest tour of duty was four seasons with the L.A. Kings. Pretty common story, right? Not quite. “All…
Pittsburgh
PENGUINS GM Ray Shero has won at the past three trade deadlines, swinging deals that helped the team return to the playoffs, reach the Stanley Cup final and win the Cup. His challenge this season is to solidify a roster that returned all but four regulars from last post-season. More than anything, Shero must find a way to add depth. Injuries to wingers Chris Kunitz and Max Talbot forced the Pens to shuffle their lines – including pairing centers Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin together. Shero has called the 1-2-3 pivot punch of Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Staal his club’s great advantage, but the Pens can’t keep them apart if players like Kunitz and Talbot are injured.…
POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK
In January, a Bloomington-Flint game featured a line brawl and 270 penalty minutes. Flint then signed three enforcers, just for the rematch. “(Flint GM) Peter South has no respect for the game, no respect for the league,” PrairieThunder coach Jarrod Skalde, whose team leads the league in PIMs, told the Bloomington Pantagraph. “You bring in players who can’t skate and can’t play, just looking to hurt people…Peter South will get his.” But then, down five to Muskegon, Skalde put out his bruisers and an 81-PIM fracas ensued. “I’m not condoning everything that has happened this year,” he said.…
SHINING SEA WILL STAY STRONG
The Saint John Sea Dogs believe they have the best of both worlds. With one month remaining in the season, they sat atop the standings at 44-8-1-0 and were No. 1 in the CHL rankings. “The nice part is we didn’t have to mortgage our future to build a contender,” said coach Gerard Gallant. “We have a great group of players and it’s a good mix of younger and older guys.” Saint John was quiet during the mid-season trade period, making just one acquisition. It refused to give up quality young players and high draft picks to enhance its championship chances this season. “With the young guys we have coming back, we think we’re set up nicely for the next couple of seasons,” Gallant said. “We’re excited about this season,…
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