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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.
Ohlund stepped up when mates took ill
MVP There was a changing of the guard in Vancouver as center Henrik Sedin emerged as the team’s MVP. He pivoted the team’s most consistent line with twin brother Daniel and right winger Anson Carter. Henrik also became a strong penalty killer and top faceoff man. BEST D-MANWith Ed Jovanovski and Sami Salo missing large chunks of the season due to injury, Mattias Ohlund was the Canucks’ top blueliner pretty much by default. The veteran played in all situations and was always out against the opposition’s top forwards. BEST ROOKIE Left winger Alex Burrows made a name for himself after a mid-season call-up. He established himself as an agitator but also showed a scoring touch, capped off by a hat trick against L.A. in March. UNSUNG HERO Defensive defenseman Bryan Allen finally asserted…
IN THE NEWSROOM
IT’S ALL IN THE TIMING Ask a simple question…get a public flogging. After Game 4 of the final, a 2-1 Carolina victory, THN senior writer Mike Brophy asked Oilers coach Craig MacTavish if he was frustrated at Ales Hemsky passing up so many good shooting opportunities to pass. “What I get frustrated with is answering that question,” MacTavish. “You haven’t been here all year, but…” MacTavish went on to extol the virtues of his player, who really doesn’t shoot enough. After Game 5, a 4-3 Edmonton win, MacTavish was in a much better mood when Brophy opened the post-game press conference by asking, “Do you get frustrated that Ales Hemsky doesn’t shoot more?” MacTavish laughed out loud. “You were right. He shot tonight and scored.”…
San Jose recovery lead by Thornton
MVP The Sharks, riding a 10-game losing streak, were 8-12-4 when Joe Thornton stepped into the lineup courtesy the Bruins. He led the team to a 36-15-7 record the rest of the way and was the first Shark to win the Ross Trophy with 125 points. BEST D-MAN Scott Hannan rallied from a slow start to have the best season of his career, recording a career-high 24 points and posting a plus-26 rating the final 56 games. BEST ROOKIE Big, strong and fast, left winger Milan Michalek led all San Jose rookies with 17 goals and 35 points in 81 games after missing most of the previous two seasons with a knee injury requiring multiple surgeries and long rehabs. UNSUNG HERO Backup Vesa Toskala was the reason the Sharks found themselves in the…
Leave it to final fate
Maybe it’s a case of the Cinderella team knows it is lucky to be thereJohn Vanbiesbrouck The Edmonton Oilers never stood a chance. Forget about Jussi Markkanen’s solid play in the series after starting goalie Dwayne Roloson went down in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final. Never mind the fact Edmonton bumped off three of the best teams from the second half of 2005-06. It didn’t even matter the Oilers had the only bona fide superstar in the series, defenseman Chris Pronger. Edmonton was never going to win the Stanley Cup. Says who? Says history. That’s who. In recent years, Cinderella may have made it to the ball on numerous occasions, but each time her carriage turned into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight and her mag-ical evening ended in disappointment. This year’s final was…
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