Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
July 4, 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.
Bears roar to victory
The street lights are shaped like chocolate kisses in downtown Hershey, Pa., but Calder Cups would be more appropriate. Chocolatetown, U.S.A., has again been overwhelmed by the sweet sensation of championship hockey. Ousting the Milwaukee Admirals in six games, the Bears tied an American League record set by the old Cleveland Barons by winning the ninth Calder Cup in franchise history and their first since 1996-97. “Our players were hungry,” said coach Bruce Boudreau. “There was just so much pride and character on this team.” And talent. From Tomas Fleischmann’s 11 goals and 32 points, Kris Beech’s 14 goals and 28 points, to rookie defenseman Mike Green’s three goals and 18 points, to the suffocating check of Dave Steckel, Boyd Kane and Boyd Gordon, the Bears dominated the spring. After steamrolling Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in…
Spokane bucks trend or owner will ante up
Bobby Brett has made quite the financial statement. The Spokane Chiefs’ president and co-owner has guaranteed his team will make the Western League playoffs in 2007 after two non-playoff seasons. Failing that, $100,000 will be distributed among ticket-package holders. “I am like every fan out there,” Brett said in a media release. “I want to win. It has been frustrating and I think our fans deserve to watch a playoff-calibre team. “I think they should get some of their money back if we don’t put a quality product on the ice. I guarantee we will make the playoffs this season. I feel very strongly about this.” So does Chiefs’ GM Tim Speltz, who does not feel pressured by the owner’s bold proclamation. “For me, I don’t think there’s any extra heat,” Speltz said. “Obviously, the…
Kaberle key cog on Leafs’ power play
MVP Because of a dearth of candidates, the honor goes to Mats Sundin by default. The captain missed all but one shift of the team’s first 13 games and struggled the first half, but was an indisputable force as the Leafs chased a playoff spot down the stretch. BEST D-MAN Bryan McCabe put up the numbers, but Tomas Kaberle proved to be the perfect fit for the new NHL. His first-pass skills were unrivaled and he controlled the power play from the back end, setting up McCabe with juicy passes. BEST ROOKIE Alex Steen proved he could play at the NHL level with 18 goals, but Kyle Wellwood accomplished as much as Steen did with less ice time. UNSUNG HERO Fourth-liner Chad Kilger scored a career-high 17 goals and was an effective two-way…
New plumage for Anaheim
There’s nothing Mighty about the Ducks, anymore. They are now known simply as the Anaheim Ducks. The NHL team made the nickname change official June 22 by unveiling the new look featuring a stylized webbed duck foot in the letter ‘D.’ The alteration was necessary when Disney Corp., sold the Mighty Ducks to Henry Samueli last year. As part of the deal, Anaheim city council ensured the word ‘Anaheim’ cannot be eliminated from the franchise. In other franchise news, it’s looking more and more like John Davidson’s last game in an NHL broadcast booth was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Davidson was expected to be named new president of the St. Louis Blues, after Dave Checketts’ purchase of the team and the Savvis Center lease is finalized. The NHL board of governors…
Made possible with the support of
