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December 20, 2005

December 20, 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.

DEPARTMENTS

Heart scare for Mario

The Pittsburgh Penguins weren’t sure how long Mario Lemieux Twould be out of the lineup after being kept overnight in hospital for an irregular heartbeat, but the diagnosis in itself was a sigh of relief. The Penguins said Lemieux has atrial fibrillation, a treatable condition affecting roughly 2.2 million Americans. He entered hospital Dec. 7 after practice and was released the next day. GM Craig Patrick said Lemieux has had other episodes of the condition dating back to this past summer. "Mario has been diagnosed with a relatively common condition that can be treated with medication," Patrick said. "We expect that he will be able to begin exercising in a matter of days and return to the lineup in a brief period of time." According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation occurs when…

IN THIS ISSUE

Retirement not the end

I’m lucky to still have the chance to look for a second career.Jonathan Girard Society’s pre-eminent philosophy, cruelly perpetuated at every turn by Dr. Phil and the Walt Disney Co., holds that, with the proper dedication and a little luck, all endings can turn out to be happy ones. But those who have been slapped by the bony backhand of reality – the same reality unoccupied by candy-flossed kids and certain current leaders of the free world – know better than that. Bobby Orr is one of those people. So are Cam Neely and Norman Leveille. And now another former Bruin, defenseman Jonathan Girard, has joined a club nobody wants membership in. Once a promising blueliner for the Black and Gold, the 25-year-old is home in Joliet, Que., today, retired before his…

IN THIS ISSUE

To shoot or sell?

As the defenseman at the point winds up for a big slap shot, the defending forward throws himself down to block a slapshot that never comes. Instead, the defenseman stops as his stick reaches the puck. The forward can only watch helplessly as the opponent steps around him and into an open shooting lane. Success on a power play often comes down to creativity on offense. In the desperation of trying to kill a penalty, an opposing team may be too quick to react to big shooters on the point. A smart attacking player can exploit overaggressive defenders by faking a shot. Kevin Klein of the American League’s Milwaukee Admirals says it’s all about the bait. “You’re trying to sell the shot,” the 21-year-old blueliner says. “You want to make it look like every…

DEPARTMENTS

Closing in on dream

If Keith Aucoin is feeling comfortable with the Lowell Lock Monsters, there’s good reason. Going home for the 27-year-old is a four-mile drive. “I enjoy it,” Aucoin said. “It’s nice to be close to home. It’s not very often that guys get to play in front of family and friends like that, so I just take it all in because it might not happen again.” The 5-foot-9, 184-pound center from Chelmsford, Mass., following an outstanding high school career, landed at Div. III Norwich University in Vermont and pretty much gave up on his NHL dream despite shattering every school offensive record and winning a national title. “You don’t really hear about many guys getting the chance to play in the NHL from the Div. III level,” he said. “Once I put my foot in…