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December 13, 2005

December 13, 2005

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

NHL can’t win for bruising

thehockeynews.com In some circles of journalism, including a specific calendar date in the lead paragraph of a story is considered a faux pas of sorts. But Saturday, Nov. 24, 2005, was a day worth breaking that rule for. That’s because the events of Nov. 24 illustrated not only how far the NHL has come since its return, but also the distance it still must travel before ascending back to its Al Bundy glory days as a Big Four Sport. That Saturday, we were enjoying the fine company of THN art director Jamie Hodgson – and his finer selection of adult drinks – at his house north of Toronto. After arriving home later that evening, we did what anyone otherwise bereft of a social life does: surfed the Internet for sports scores and stories. And…

IN THIS ISSUE

Saskin is in, but how long?

The National Hockey League Players’ Association reconfirmed the appointment of Ted Saskin as its executive director through a secret-ballot vote of its 37-member executive board, but that didn’t dissuade a growing group of NHLers from continuing their challenge of his leadership.“This entire ‘secret ballot’ vote was a joke,” said Detroit veteran Chris Chelios, whose Red Wings were among several teams – the New York Islanders, Maple Leafs, and Minnesota Wild also were rumored to be in the group – that withheld their ballots in protest of the process that led to Saskin’s initial hiring July 28. “This secret ballot is another example of Ted Saskin manipulating the process for his own personal gain.” In an Nov. 27 interview on CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada, Saskin wouldn’t say how many ballots remained…

IN THIS ISSUE

HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF

GIRARD NOT ABLE TO RESUME CAREER The once-promising career of Boston’s Jonathan Girard is over at 25 because he’s not able to perform at the NHL level. The offensively skilled defenseman was attempting a comeback after missing two years due to rehabilitation from injuries sustained in a 2003 near-fatal off-season car accident. He was trapped for 45 minutes in his overturned vehicle and sustained two broken vertebrae, a broken pelvic bone, fluid in his lungs and significant blood loss. “We were hoping Jonathan would be successful in his comeback, but his doctors advised him he is not physically able to compete at the level of professional hockey,” said Bruins GM Mike O'Connell. “He is a courageous young man and we are thankful that, although he is unable to resume his career,…

DEPARTMENTS

Sharks use cap advantage

The intent here is not to get carried away patting the San Jose Sharks on the back for making a good trade. In the ‘what have you done for me lately’ world of professional sports, the cynical Sharks fan might say it’s about time the boys in teal did something right. This is a team, after all, that turned the calendar from November to December nine points out of a playoff spot and stuck in a 10-game, three-and-a-half week losing streak, during which time they managed to blow points in nearly every possible way. When the Sharks played well defensively, they couldn’t put the puck in the net. When they finally ran up the score by putting six pucks past Detroit goalie Chris Osgood Nov. 26, Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov let in…