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.
October 24, 1980
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.
Oilers’ Coffey Coming On Strong
EDMONTON—When they drafted Paul Coffey, The Edmonton Oilers figured he would fit their situation to a T. They wanted a fast-skating, offensive defenseman, a guy with a shot that could knock goalies on their behinds and who could get the puck out of their end; somebody who could play the point on the power play. For most of training camp, the underage (19) blueliner from Kitchener was less-than-sensational. Bothered by a bad groin pull, suffered early in practice sessions, he not only couldn’t do the things he was hired for… when he tried he was nervous, hesitant, afraid to make a mistake. Coffey only started to come around late in pre-season, in a game against Colorado in Wichita, Kan He followed it up with another strong effort against The Toronto Maple Leafs at…
Leukemia Strikes Portland’s Ostir
PORTLAND-The Western Hockey League’s Portland Winter Hawks suffered a damaging blow when defenseman Glen Ostir was admitted to St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg for treatment of leukemia. Ostir, a 19-year-old, was expected to be the leader on the Winter Hawks’ blueline. He was the Winnipeg Jets’ fifth-round selection in the National Hockey League’s June draft, and attended that club’s training camp. Ostir was expected to return to the Winter Hawks for the 1980-81 season. A Winter Hawks’ spokesman said Ostir’s return to the club this season is doubtful and. in fact, his future career is uncertain.…
Playing For Cheesy Excites Bruin’s Miller
BOSTON—“Everybody is excited about this year and so am 1,” said Bobby Miller, who was so excited that he went out and scored two goals, exactly one-eighth of his 1979-80 output, as the Boston Bruins demolished the New York Rangers 7-2 in their season’s opener. “Cheesy doesn’t say anything to me, that he wants me to score more goals or be more offense-minded,” Miller said. “1 think that he knows what I can do defensively. Anything I can do on top of that offensively, 1 think Cheesy’ll appreciate that.” “In the back of my mind, I thought I might be shipped out,” said Tom Songin, who scored another one of the seven Bruins’ goals. “But Cheese has been good to me for the three years I’ve been in the organization and he’s…
Red Wings Acquire Smith For Defensive Experience
DETROIT—The Detroit Red Wings claimed veteran defenseman Rick Smith from the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League’s waive draft. The Red Wings paid $2,500 for the 32-year-old Smith. Detroit dropped Dennis Polonich from the protected list, but the Bruins elected to take the money. Smith’s got experience and he played with a club that had a winning attitude,” said Jimmy Skinner, the Wings’ director of hockey operations. “His experience will help kids like Jim Korn… Smith will help balance our defense. He’s not a puck carrier, strictly a defensive type. That’s what we need. If it’s for one or two years, it’s a help for us.” Smith joined the Wings in Vancouver for the season-opening two-game west coast swing. The Wings lost both games. The Canucks rallied for three goals in a 93-second…