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December 27, 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.
Johnson won’t miss out this time
*Team USA and the Carolina THurricanes hope defenseman Jack Johnson can do for the Americans at the World Junior Championship what Dion Phaneuf did for the Canadians a year ago. “We expect him to be an impact player there,” said Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford. Calgary prospect Dion Phaneuf was an intimidating force in leading Canada to the gold medal at last year’s event. Johnson couldn’t have picked up any points watching the Flames defenseman because he wasn’t chosen to play for Team USA. The decision was controversial and looked ill advised when Team USA struggled. The Americans believed Johnson, with his edge of the rulebook play, would hurt them with too many penalties. This year’s U.S. decision-makers view Johnson’s fiery style as crucial to their team. “He never lets up and that’s a talent,”…
Patience key for Horcoff
Although he retired in 2002 after 23 years as coach of the Michigan State hockey team, Ron Mason has kept track of the men he helped make out of boys. And when the all-time winningest coach in U.S. college hockey history talks about the development of former Spartan and current Edmonton Oilers center Shawn Horcoff–yup, the same guy playing on the No. 1 line and leading the team in scoring through mid-December–Mason talks about a pattern he has noticed. “Before the season started, one of the beat writers in Edmonton asked if Shawn being moved to the No. 1 line this year surprised me,” said Mason, now athletic director at Michigan State. “I told them I wasn’t surprised at all, because every year he played for us, he got better. He’s doing…
Championship caliber
With no less than half of last year’s team having played all or part of this season with the Flyers, it comes as no surprise the Philadelphia Phantoms won the 2005 Calder Cup. Defenseman Freddy Meyer became the 13th member of last year’s champions to dress for the Philadelphia Flyers, replacing the injured Joni Pitkanen against Calgary Dec. 6. He follows defensemen Randy Jones and Wade Skolney, and forwards R.J. Umberger, Ryan Ready and Ben Eager, who were all summoned to fill in holes in the Flyers’ depleted lineup. Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Pitkanen, Jon Sim, Dennis Seidenberg and playoff MVP Antero Niittymaki have been with the Flyers all season. Another, Patrick Sharp, was dealt to Chicago. “There’s a few guys that we probably wouldn’t have had if there been an NHL season,” said Phantoms…
NAUGHTY AND Nice
It turns out the rumors of Keith Tkachuk’s demise as a hockey player were greatly exaggerated. When we last checked, the St. Louis Blues left winger was piling up points like never before and insisting he was playing the best hockey of his long and colorful career. So those of you who thought he ate himself out of the game…well, don’t talk with your mouth full. When The Hockey News wondered who best represented the holiday season–you know, someone a little bit naughty and a little bit nice–Tkachuk immediately came to mind. His season got off on the wrong foot when he reported to training camp overweight and was suspended by the team. Then, when he rejoined the Blues, he got injured in the second game of the season. Upon his return–after missing…
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