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January 3, 2006
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.
Gretzky’s mom ‘glue’ of family
Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky took an indefinite leave of absence just before the team’s game against Los Angeles Dec. 17 to be at the side of his gravely ill mother in the family’s hometown of Brantford, Ont. Phyllis Gretzky, 64, died Dec. 19 night at Brantford General Hospital following a bout of pneumonia that resulted in her being admitted Dec. 15. Her husband Walter and all five of her children – Wayne, Kim, Keith, Glen and Brent – were by her side when she passed away. ‘‘Throughout my career, she was in the background, but she was the glue,’’ said Gretzky when his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer late in 2004. ‘‘She’s always been the toughest in the family.’’ Gretzky also took a leave of absence from his position as executive director…
Year of loss and recovery
History will record 2005 as the year a lockout killed hockey. But as astute readers of The Hockey News no doubt know, there was still a lot of, well, hockey news. Many battles went on in backrooms and boardrooms instead of on the boards and the backcheck. For the first time since an influenza epidemic in 1919, no team got its named engraved on the Stanley Cup. Some legends arrived, others left, and others simply added to their lore. Team Canada won world junior gold with a Sidney Crosbyled squad that may have been the best ever and the London Knights capped a dream major junior season with Memorial Cup on home ice. Here are 10 stories they’ll be talking about 10 years from now and beyond. 1. THE SEASON THAT WASN’T February generated…
Tough times
The hardest part for Devils coach Larry Robinson was telling his players he wasn’t quitting on them. In an emotional dressing room gathering less than 24 hours after the team’s Christmas party, Robinson explained he had resigned as coach because the pressures of losing were making him ill. “I’ve never walked away from anything before,” said Robinson, after stepping down Dec. 19. “This is kind of new territory for me. I just don’t feel that health-wise I can go on and have it bother me that much. I think right now my health is more important than anything else.” GM Lou Lamoriello stepped in as interim coach while he began a search for Robinson’s replacement. Hours before the coaching change, defenseman Vladimir Malakhov informed Lamoriello he wanted to retire and walked away from the…
Luc’s luck runs out
The situation with Los Angeles left winger Luc Robitaille came to a head when coach Andy Murray made the future Hall of Famer a healthy scratch for the Dec. 16 game against Anaheim. Robitaille has come under criticism for his offensive woes this season – he had five goals and eight points in 21 games as of Dec. 20 – and didn’t respond well to the benching. He told the Los Angeles Times, “I totally disagree with what’s going on,” and said his struggles were attributable mostly to a lack of ice time (13:18 per game). “Many people counted me out two years ago. I was counted out by Andy, but I found my way back…This isn’t the first time I’ve been counted out.’’ CENTRAL DIVISION CHICAGO The Hawks had four prospects…
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