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Great Debates SIP
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.
NCAA VS. CHL
NCAA The days of major junior’s dominance over the NHL are over. Take a gander at some of the biggest names in the sport and you’ll find college boys such as Jonathan Toews, Joe Pavelski and Jonathan Quick. Look at some of the fastest-rising youngsters around and you’ll see Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin and Noah Hanifin, with more on the way. The NCAA route always had an advantage when it came to education, and now it can push an even playing field when it comes to development, too. To be sure, major junior is a great route for players who are only making a quick stop en route to the NHL (Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon, for example), but for the majority of teens, the college option brings so many advantages. The schedule,…
STAMKOS VS. OVECHKIN
STEVEN STAMKOS Steven Stamkos may not fill up a highlight reel like Alex Ovechkin does when it comes to goals, but he sure knows how to fill the net. And he can do it many ways. Watch any compilation of Stamkos showing off his goal-scoring prowess and there will be shot after shot of his shot, like the one where he camps out in the left faceoff circle, stick cocked in the ready position anticipating a pass sliding over from the top of the point right toward his wheelhouse where he steps into the puck and delivers a precision laser to the top near corner. In a flash, the puck enters the net as the goaltender helplessly slides in a futile attempt to stop the inevitable from occurring. That type of goal became…
SAWCHUK VS. HASEK
TERRY SAWCHUK Others have surpassed Terry Sawchuk’s wins and shutout totals, but no one who dons goalie pads will ever surpass Sawchuk’s ability to stop the puck. “Terry Sawchuk is the greatest goaltender ever,” proclaimed Johnny Bower, who teamed with Sawchuk to backstop the Toronto Maple Leafs to their Stanley Cup win in 1966-67. In the era during which Sawchuk’s career began, there were six NHL netminding positions up for grabs. Future Hall of Famers like Bower, Jacques Plante, Gump Worsley and Glenn Hall toiled in the minor leagues, awaiting their opportunity. As a junior with the Windsor Spitfires, Hall would slip across the border to watch Saw- chuk tend goal for the Detroit Red Wings. “I tried to copy his style, that low crouch he played,” Hall said. All goaltenders tried to imitate…
IT’S A TIME TO REFLECT
I WAS IN Chicago for Game 5 of the Cup final between the Blackhawks and Bruins in 2013 when Jim Cornelison started the national anthem. Sitting in the stands, I hit video record on my phone and panned the crowd. It was an exceptionally special couple minutes for me. Having watched that same routine on TV dozens of times, I knew what I was in store for, but I didn’t know about the wave of shivers that would overcome me. And you’re talking about taking that away? Why? Because it’s not necessary? Granted, Cornelison belting out the Star-Spangled Banner in Chicago is as good as it gets, but I wouldn’t want to see any rendition taken away in any venue. Anthems offer a period of reflection before a sporting encounter – for fans…
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