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May 2, 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.
JerseyHound
The Chiefs have always looked good in their Montreal Canadiens-inspired jerseys, especially because of their own note-worthy logo, but the Habs never flipped the paint script like this. Much like the Colorado Avalanche did with their third jerseys, Spokane took their secondary color and made it their primary base, creating an eye-catching design that doesn’t stray too far from the original. The American flag shoulder patch even stands out more on the blue, but the clean look of the original sweater remains on this take.…
From No-Name To Big Deal
If there’s one play that perfectly symbolizes Mika Zibanejad’s season, it came in Djurgarden’s final regular season home game. Zibanejad, 17, took a long pass against Skelleftea, stopped the puck with his skate, flicked it up the ice on top prospect Adam Larsson’s right side, went around the 18-year-old defenseman on the left and beat the goalie with a wrist shot five-hole. Larsson has been the highest-ranked European prospect this season, but Zibanejad is closing the gap. “The first thing I noticed when I saw him last fall was that he was as strong as an ox,” said Goran Stubb, the NHL’s director of European scouting.” Zibanejad, the son of an Iranian father and Finnish mother, is trying to take his ascension in stride. He expected to spend the entire 2010-11 season…
On The Edge With A Plan
The rallying cry was “Two weeks! Two weeks!” from Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. It was an unsolicited view of the fluid Coyotes’ ownership situation; for the past several months, fans had heard that a resolution would be reached in “two weeks.” It has been another tough year off the ice for the organization, but once again the Coyotes found a way not only to emerge as one of the league’s better teams, but also to block out the distractions of possible franchise relocation. Throughout the season, however, there has been constant chatter about the possibility: If they don’t want to talk about it, visiting media certainly do. Players do their best to accommodate them, but at times patience has been tested. For the most part, the team has expressed the desire to remain in…
Exceptional Ekblad To Join OHL
Being granted “exceptional player status” in the Ontario League is about more than being a great hockey player. To gain early entry the applicant must pass a series of tests from Hockey Canada that include academic, mental maturity and on-ice evaluations. Most importantly, there must be a strong family backing. “The support system is crucial for any person who is moving on,” said Phillip McKee, the Ontario Hockey Federation’s executive director. Sun County Panthers (Windsor, Ont.) blueliner Aaron Ekblad, 15, became the second player granted early entry to the OHL draft after John Tavares was deemed “exceptional” in 2005. He eventually became a No. 1 NHL pick, so the honor comes with its own unique set of expectations. Ekblad’s a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who scored more than a point per game playing a…