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November 23, 1979
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.
Sabres Glad They Gambled On Rookie Ruff
BUFFALO—With veteran defensemen Jerry Korab and Jim Schoenfeld both sidelined by injuries, the Buffalo Sabres are mighty glad they took a chance on Lindy Ruff. Ruff is one of the seven underage juniors the Sabres picked up in the National Hockey League entry draft. He was the club’s second choice. The first pick, Mike Ramsey, also a defenseman, is with the U.S. Olympic team. Ruff has been a regular since the first game of the season and he has done well. Replacing Korab at left point on the power play, the big 19-year-old from the Lethbridge Broncos picked up nine points in the Sabres’ first 15 games. Two of his points were goals. Seven were assists, most coming when rebounds of his shots were turned into goals. One came last week to give…
BILL LIBBY’S HOCKEY AD LIB
Beyond Mere Points IT IS SAID that you often cannot measure the value of a player by his points, and it is so. Stan Smyl scored only 38 points last season and was not in contention for Rookie of the Year honors, but the Vancouver right-wing led his side in plus-minus ratings and was in the top ten in the league. Short, but sturdy at 5’8” and 190 pounds, the youngster plays with power and defenses foes determinedly. He hits with shattering impact and was one of the few who played with passion for his side last season and early this season. He sets an example for older players with his hustle. Canuck coach Harry Neale said, “He is the kind of kid you want to bring new blood to a team.” Manager…
The Howes: Unique ‘First Family’ Of Hockey
Gordie Howe, no less amazing than Grace or the ‘69 Mets, confronts the same question at every stop of his second time around the National Hockey League. How, at 51, does the game’s only active grandfather keep doing it? It’s not the how that worries me,” he says. ‘‘It’s the why.” The road untaken, one of very few Howe hasn’t traveled in 32 pro seasons, explains part of it. “The dream of playing alongside my sons in the NHL hasn’t been fulfilled yet,” he says. “It’ll come about, but they’d better hurry before these old legs give out.” Mark Howe, 24, is a quality player, the first protected by the Hartford Whalers in the expansion draft. He’ll be around the NHL for a decade or so and stands as the single, most important difference between…
SLAPSHOTS
McVie Suspended MONTREAL—Tom McVie, coach of the Winnipeg Jets has been fined $500 and suspended from his coaching duties for Winnipeg’s next three games as a result of an incident in a Nov. 6 game between ‘Winnipeg and Atlanta. Referee Ron Hogarth’s report on the incident indicated that McVie attempted to scale the partition separating the players’ benches for the purpose of “getting at” coach Al MacNeil of Atlanta. At a hearing conducted in Montreal by NHL executive vice president Brian O’Neill, McVie admitted that he had acted irresponsibly. “He has no explanation for his actions other than he became distraught at seeing his players involved in an altercation which was taking place at the time,” said O’Neill. “He expressed deep remorse for his conduct and vowed that it would not happen again.” O’Neill noted…
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