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November 12, 2012
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.
BOB STELLICK
When the CBA dust settles, the league and players must team up to win back fans’ respect “ONE COULD ARGUE the current NHL labor situation is partially a byproduct of the skills and expertise of the marketers and salespeople at the league and team levels. If this group hadn’t been so proficient in growing hockey-related revenue, there wouldn’t have been the same commensurate growth in salaries and the league and its players would have a smaller financial pie to squabble over. When the dust settles and everyone gets back to work, how does the league rebuild trust with fans and sponsors? Will it be different this time around? Do fans believe the vitriol from either side or have they started to tune out the NHL? As the president of a Toronto-based sports marketing…
Dog Days Continue
Once he examined his options and the criteria he had for possible lockout destinations, there was really only one decision for Phoenix Coyotes defenseman David Schlemko: to stay in Arizona. But unlike a group of teammates skating locally on their own, Schlemko is participating in game action with the Arizona Sundogs in the Central League. “The offers I had in Europe weren’t in the best leagues,” Schlemko said. “It wasn’t going to be about making money. It was kind of going to be somewhere to play until we’re up and going again.” Add in a new baby, a daughter named Ava born in September, and Schlemko, 25, didn’t want to stray from home for playing experience. “I was thinking earlier if there was a lockout, it might be cool to go to…
Northern Exposure
As the lockout scattered players across Europe and minor leagues, three ventured north – way north – to play for their hometown team. Tampa Bay’s Nate Thompson, Columbus’ Brandon Dubinsky and Washington’s Joey Crabb, all natives of Anchorage, joined up with the only pro team in the state, the ECHL’s Alaska Aces, to give their furthest-removed group of fans a chance to watch them in person. “Once these guys finished their minor hockey they moved on and they never came back to play here again,” said Aces coach Rob Murray. “Now their fans can come and see them up close and it’s been a great atmosphere.” The hockey community in the area is passionate, with rooting interests in the Aces as well as the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, both of which play…
Hall Should Call Goodenow
For the better part of seven years, we haven’t heard a word from Bob Goodenow. There are 12.25 million reasons for that. But it is rather incredible the man who was once one of the most powerful men in the game now operates in seclusion, managing his investments and whiling away his days in Michigan and Florida. The man who has Goodenow’s job now, NHL Players’ Association executive director Donald Fehr, is just as adamant that the players receive all the money committed to them this time around as Goodenow was that the players not accept a salary cap in 2004-05. Just spitballing here, but for some reason I doubt Fehr will have to fall on his sword over his principles the way Goodenow did. Goodenow’s resistance to a salary cap is…