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.
June 1, 1977
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.
Defense Barons’ Problem But Crombeen Seen Pick
CLEVELAND— The main priority for the Cleveland Barons in the 1977 amateur draft will be the best man available, according to acting general manager Harry Howell. The club needs a hard-hitting, policeman-type defenseman. Howell lists Robert Picard and Barry Beck in that category but it is unlikely they will be around by the time the Barons make their selection—fifth in the opening round. “We will determine who the best athlete is in the first round and then pick him,” said Howell, named interim GM after Bill McCreary was fired back in January. That best athlete could very well be right winger Mike Crombeen, the second-best forward in this season’s crop of amateurs. After the first pick, Howell is select ing for need. “Our second and third round picks probably will be wingers if we can…
Unwanted Vets Become Free Agents
PHOENIX— All but five of last season’s Phoenix Roadrunners claim they don’t know where they’ll be playing next season. Brian O’Neill, president of the former World Hockey Association team, suspects some of them do but also knows many of them don’t. Center Robbie Ftorek, left wing Del Hall and goaltender Clay Hebenton were sold to the Cincinnati Stingers. Left wing Andre Hinse and right wing Frank Hughes revert to the Houston Aeros. Attempts are being made to peddle the remainder. Those who are deemed to have no market value are being informed their medical coverage has been discontinued thus making them free agents. That makes them eUgible for the June 2, WHA intra-league draft. O’Neill, who has returned to the position he left a year ago, vice-president of marketing for Combined Communications Corp., would not identify…
Hopeful Flames Launch Ticket Drive
ATLANTA— In the Atlanta Flames’ case, the offseason is every bit as vital as the regular season. The Flames remain in desperate need of funding and they are counting on seaso” ticket to provide it. For two years they have lived on borrowed money and borrowed time. Officials within the organization say the club must halt the rising deficits and start making a profit to repay past debts. Team owner Tom Cousins has determined the break-even attendance mark to be 13,000 per game. Last season, with massive ticketpurchasing by local businesses and by the Flames’ players themselves, attendance closed at 12,259 per game. That was up 300 from the year before. But the club must do better than that or find additional stockholders willing to incur losses. However, the prospects are not all gloom…
Aeros’ Captain Taylor To Hang Up His Skates
HOUSTON— Ted Taylor, the only captain the Houston Aeros have ever had, has announced his retirement. The 35-year-old left wing, who missed part of the 1975-76 season with mononeucleosis, played all but two games last season and missed those only to direct the club in coach Bill Dineen’s absence. The Aeros’ Booster Club named defenseman Poul Popiel the most valuable player, center-left wing John Tonelli the unsung hero and right wing Rich Preston the playmaker award. The Aeros did not expect to be knocked out of the World Hockey Association finals by the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets won the series in six games but the Aeros. felt bitter towards referee Ron Harris, whom they felt played too large a part in the outcome. Harris refereed three of the six games and Winnipeg had 44 power…
Made possible with the support of
