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August 1, 1978
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.
NHL FRANK ORR SAYS
Tough To Define THE OLD STUFF about major league hockey teams signing players before their eligibility for junior hockey has expired reared up again this summer and, once again, it’s difficult for someone standing in the middle of the argument to finger the bad guys. First, Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association signed Wayne Gretzky, the 17-year-old scoring star of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Then Birmingham Bulls inked a half dozen juniors, all clients of hockey lawyer Alan Eagleson. The National Hockey League refuses to go after the underage juniors. Their view seems to be that the WHA teams can develop the young players, then they’ll move in a little farther down the road and acquire the services of the lads when they become experienced professionals. When the NHL turned down the WHA…
Grand Rapids Completes ‘Double’ NHL Affiliation
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKS Made in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg, Ontario Sold in U.S. and Canada LOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKS Made in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg, Ontario Sold in U.S. and Canada Special To The Hockey News GRAND RAPIDS— International Hockey League teams are hard at work this summer signing players, coaches and agreements with National Hockey League for the start of the season, Friday, Oct. 20. The Grand Rapids Owls solidified their situation by firming up their working agreements with the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins for the coming season. The Owls set a season ticket sale goal of 1,000 subscriptions and reached nearly half that figure by mid-June. They were also busy on the player front, sending defenseman Greg Neeld to Kalamazoo Red Wings, to complete an earlier trade for right…
U.S. Hall Of Fame Adds Three New Hockey Names
EVELETH— A dedicated amateur hockey administrator, a peerless goaltender, and a hardrock defenseman are the 1978 enshrinees to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Don Clark, long time amateur hockey executive; Hubert “Hub” Nelson, Minneapolis born goaltender; and Peter Bessone, a New England bred defenseman are among the latest to join the American hall. Clark has traveled the length and breadth of Minnesota preaching the gospel of amateur hockey. He, along with Hall enshrinee Bob Ridder and Everett “Buck” Riley, founded the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) in 1947 and proceeded to build it into the most successful organization of its kind in the United States. Among his accomplishments with the MAHA were founding the first bantam level state tournament in the nation, serving as president from 1954-57 and secretarytreasurer from…
Big Names Still Heading NHL’s Free Agent Ranks
Special To The Hockey News MONTREAL— The National Hockey League’s once imposing free agent list, which numbered well over 100 players at the close of the 1977-78 season, has dwindled but there are still some well known hockey names up for grabs. Probably the most talented of the free agent pack is still the Los Angeles Kings’ duo of goaler Roger Vachon and center Butch Goring. Neither has signed with the Kings and while some NHL clubs, notably Detroit, expressed an interest in the pair, the compensation price is apparently too rich for the Red Wings’ blood. Wings’ GM Ted Lindsay said he would be willing to give up some players to get Vachon but not Dale McCourt and Reed Larson, both of whom have been mentioned by the media as being demanded by…