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August 19, 1981
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.
The Hockey News The International Hockey Weekly Founded in 1947
Published by W.C.C. Publishing Ltd. 214 King St West. Suite 314. Toronto, Ont M5H 1K4 Eagleson’s Nameless Helpers AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON OF Sept. 1, 1981, when Team USA faces off against Team Sweden in Edmonton, the Canada Cup will finally and officially be underway—one year late but, as they say, better late than never. For over a year now, ever since Canada Cup 1980 was cancelled and efforts to reschedule the event for 1981 began, the man who has been at the center of attention is R. Alan Eagleson, the executive director of the National Hockey League’s Players’ Association who doubles as Hockey Canada’s chief negotiator. Eagleson, who will never be accused of being reticent or camera-shy, deserves to be in the spotlight: The Canada Cup is his baby and not a lot…
The Canadian Strategy
From the time Bobby Orr arrived in the National Hockey League and changed the role of the defensemen in the game completely, increasing amounts of the attack have been generated by the backliners. Except in international competition that is—and Team Canada’s head coach Scotty Bowman wants to change that dramatically in the 1981 Canada Cup tournament. “In the NHL, much of your offense must be created by your defensemen and teams without good attackers on their blueline have problems in the game the way we’re playing it now,” Bowman explained. “But when we’ve ventured into international play, our defensemen have been haltered offensively.” In the 1972 Summit Series against the USSR national team, Team Canada scored 32 goals and only two were produced by defensemen. In the ’74 series, the World Hockey Association’s version…
ON THE CONTRARY
The Best of 1980-81 OH, WHAT A YEAR 1980-81 was! Or was it? It all depends on your set of dramatic values and what you, the fan, believes constitutes a good season, a superb playoff, not to mention a fine game. And to hockey journalists, I ask: What were the best stories, not to mention the worst, of the past year? Warner Hessler of the Buffalo Courier-Express says Wayne Gretzky’s orchestration of the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff win over the Montreal Canadiens was the story of the year. “When a kid like Gretzky can rally a bunch of other kids to beat Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey and Steve Shutt,” says Hessler, “then you have one hell of a story.” Steve Simmons of the Calgary Sun seconds the motion while The Chicago Tribune’s Bob Verdi says…
EHL’s Future Uncertain With Four Teams
UTICA—The future of the Eastern Hockey League was still unknown when this issue went to press, but every effort was being made to propel the circuit into its fourth season. League spokesman Bob Payne of the Salem Raiders revealed that four teams are set to play with three other sites being considered in an attempt to make the EHL a six-team loop for the 1981-82 campaign. Baltimore, Salem, Utica and Winston-Salem are the four teams ready for the coming season, while Richmond. Cape Cod and Johnstown are listed as possible franchise locations. Baltimore spokesman Jim Watson related that the Maryland city will compete in the EHL this season only if there are six total teams, otherwise they will forego hockey in the coming year. Watson has already informed the EHL that should Baltimore…
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