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October 31, 2011

October 31, 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.

IN THIS ISSUE

Climbing Up To ‘C’ Level

On a roster with 10 first round draft picks, Blues center David Backes doesn’t hold that distinction. A member of the U.S. squad at the 2010 Olympics, Backes still isn’t a household name in the hockey world. Even in St. Louis, he’s not the most popular player. That title goes to T.J. Oshie. But when the Blues were picking the 17th player to captain the team in franchise history, the 27-year-old Backes more than fit the profile. He was crowned on Sept. 9, joining Bernie Federko, Al MacInnis, Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky and Chris Pronger among those who have had the ‘C’ sewn on their Blues sweater. “It’s a big honor and it’s a big responsibility, too,” said Federko, now an analyst on the Blues TV broadcasts. “Dave has been here. He’s…

IN THIS ISSUE

Sneaky Good

Kris Letang weaves easily through Pittsburgh’s dressing room, carefully making his way through crowds of media in front of his teammates, to his stall. All around him reporters line up to talk to Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury. “You just come in, get undressed, take a shower and you are done and out of the rink,” he says. “It’s pretty easy to do when you have those kinds of guys all around you.” Letang won’t be able to enjoy his solitude for long. That he remains relatively anonymous even now is surprising given his status and statistics: Letang emerged as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 blueliner with eight goals and 50 points, top 10 among NHL defenders last season. The only thing missing was consistency. After a sizzling first half, Letang…

IN THIS ISSUE

PLUS MINUS

+PLUS WAY TO STAMP’EM OUT NOW, WINNIPEG Local cops bust scalpers hawking Jets tickets for exorbitant amounts. Why doesn’t this happen more around the league? –MINUS BUM RAP FOR EX-RANGER Sean Avery may be a divisive personality, but even he deserved a better look at New York’s training camp before the Blueshirts waived him. +PLUS EARLY ASCENT TO ROYALTY The Kings’ Mike Richards pays immediate dividends for L.A., setting up the overtime-winning goal in the season opener. –MINUS ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER LOSS Montreal just can’t keep defensemen healthy. Chris Campoli leaves the Habs first tilt with a hammy and Andrei Markov’s still not back.…

IN THIS ISSUE

MOVING DAY!

NOBODY LIKES MOVING DAY, unless it’s long overdue. And that exactly the case for Hockey Canada as it prepares to move into its new $220-million Athletic and Ice Complex from their understated, red brick, single-rink home at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena. “It represents the evolution of hockey in this country,” Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser said of the 500,000 square-foot Calgary facility. “Now there’s a physical place that Canadian fans and players can identify with and call home.” Wickenheiser recalls walking into Hockey Canada’s vintage headquarters for the first time. She was a wide-eyed, 15-year-old prairie girl, preparing to try out for the Canadian women’s national team. The rest of Wickenheiser’s story is now famed history, but the AIC is all about the future. She believes it will help hockey culture in…