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January 24, 2011
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.
Coming Into His Own
Coach Todd McLellan put the ‘A’ on Ryane Clowe’s sweater in October and any doubts as to why were erased the first week of January after San Jose dropped a 4-3 decision to the Vancouver Canucks. ‘‘We just want to cheat at times,” Clowe said in a monologue to the media. “They’re not afraid to play a sound defensive game and they’ll stick to it. We’ve got guys who want to do it occasionally, but not all the time because that’s hard work.” He spoke his mind for another minute, then walked away. The next day, he didn’t backpedal and wasn’t at all worried that any teammate might be offended. “This is the NHL,” the 28-year-old said. “This isn’t junior hockey anymore. You need a thick skin. But I think I can do…
50 Years Young
At 50 years old, Ray Bourque is still black and gold to the bone. But there sure isn’t any rust on him. Depending on the day, Bourque might be found mingling with the upper crust of Boston Bruins fans in TD Garden’s Premium Club or checking in on Tresca, a restaurant in Boston’s north end he’s owned for five years. Failing that, he can be spotted back on the ice, playing in the twice weekly pick-up game he’s a part of with a few other former Bruins such as Reggie Lemelin, Brad Park, Bob Sweeney and Terry O’Reilly. “Same guys, two teams; we just go black and white teams and we just play games to five,” Bourque said. “We play for about an hour-and-a-half, hang out, have a nice little workout and…
Face of the Future
There’s a reason Drummondville Voltigeurs center Sean Couturier has been the odds-on favorite to go first overall in the 2011 NHL draft and it’s not a tough one to figure out: He has a big body and he knows how to use it. That 6-foot-4, 191-pound frame and all the skills contained within it also made Couturier the only undrafted player on Team Canada’s silver medal team, a fact not lost on the most important observers. “He’s obviously a big kid and he moves well,” said one NHL GM. “He’s a very smart player. This is really a tournament for 20-year-olds and for an 18-year-old kid to be playing speaks volumes alone.” Particularly in Canada’s deep program. And the fact Couturier already has a Quebec League scoring crown under his belt adds…
Unknown Goaler
Russia’s ‘Kardiac Kids’ wouldn’t have even have had a chance to make their comebacks in the medal round had it not been for goaltender Dmitri Shikin, 19. Stats are minimal on the Elektrostaltioning native since he was traded from Amur Khabarovsk’s junior team to SKA St. Petersburg’s junior team this year with an injury costing him time in the middle. And even though he was pulled in the gold medal game, he has performed well in the past internationally and did raise eyebrows in Buffalo. “His posi and the way he squares to the puck is outstanding,” said one NHL GM. “But he’s also a battler. He fights to find the puck in traffic and he’s very quick.” Once again, however, the lack of a KHL-NHL transfer agreement means Shikin’s chances of signing…
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