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November 14, 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.
GOT IT ALL
FROM SUPERSTARS, TO GOONS, TO LOUDMOUTHS, THE NHL’S MOST DETESTED NAMES SUGGEST IT’S THE GAME, NOT THE PLAYER, THAT CREATES THE CHARACTERS WE LOVE TO HATE There are many reasons why we hate Henrik Lundqvist. Foremost among them is the guy can’t even lie very well. Ooh, that really bugs us. For example, Lundqvist is supposed to be a real bear on game days. Don’t mess with him because he’s so focused and intense. In fact, he doesn’t even have much time for his lovely wife, Therese Andersson, Lundqvist’s high school sweetheart whom he married over the summer. “Sometimes I might come off as being rude,” Lundqvist said. “If you run into me on a game day, you might think I am not the nicest guy in the world.” That should have…
OPINIONATED
It doesn’t take much for a player to be considered mouthy or opinionated. The NHL establishment has an abject fear of any player, coach or GM talkative enough to create bulletin board material for the opposition, which is why most players take refuge from inquiring reporters behind a shield of clichés. So NHLers who do say something of value stick out like sore thumbs. Outspoken players are a genuine rarity and usually attract an inordinate amount of hate for their candid approach. Philadelphia has two of the league’s most opinionated players – right winger Jaromir Jagr and captain Chris Pronger – which only adds to the Flyers’ loathsome-worthiness in the minds of some fans and the odd player or two. “That physical style the (Flyers play) makes it easy to dislike…
LAZY
Wayne Gretzky once said Alexei Kovalev was one of the most purely talented players he had ever seen. Soft hands, great shot, an ability to handle the puck gracefully – Kovalev had all the physical gifts. But if there is any historical poster boy for the lazy player, it’s Kovalev. In fact, he’s one of those rare players who is reviled more by the fans who cheer for him than those who cheer against him. But how accurate is that, really? Ask anyone who has ever played in the NHL and they’ll tell you there’s no way you play 1,302 games in the best league in the world by being lazy. You certainly don’t score that many points (1,024) playing on the periphery and you don’t earn the respect of your…
Twigs ’n’ Tweets
The global phenomenon that is Twitter hasn’t swept up the entire hockey industry just yet, but a significant number of NHL players have embraced social media. In fact, statistics compiled by former THN intern and student journalist Tim Kolupanowich show more than 20 percent of NHLers (141 out of 700) have opened up a Twitter account that allows them to communicate with the hockey community. Although more players are joining every week, right now the Toronto Maple Leafs have the most players on Twitter with 10 (including Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Jake Gardiner). Close behind were the Canadiens, Flyers and Oilers (each of whom had eight players with accounts), while the Sharks, Rangers and Lightning had seven apiece. At the other end of the spectrum, only the Ottawa Senators and the New…
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