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January 1, 1982
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.
Habs Grit Teeth As Larouche Saga Continues
MONTREAL — The unhappy saga of Pierre Larouche continues. Unhappy with the fact that coach Bob Berry had kept him out of the lineup since a 5-5 tie in Winnipeg, Larouche openly displayed his frustration on a Canadiens’ team bus travelling to Boston after the Canadiens had won convincingly in Hartford. With an excess of the grape evident, Larouche began harrassing and insulting several of his teammates, including Keith Acton, the sophomore center who took over the No. 1 center job again. He also directed invectives toward English play-by-play man Dick Irvin, rookie defenseman Gilbert Delorme, managing director Irving Grundman, who was on the trip, and Berry. “I was at the front of the bus and I didn’t hear it,” Said Grundman. Neither did Berry, but both men found out about it. Grundman was also…
HOCKEY VIEWPOINT
Good, But Puzzling, Year THE YEAR 1981, despite recession, inflation, higher taxes and heating bills, weight gain, arthritis, holes in the roof and a few other distractions, was a good one for your humble correspondent. But it also was a puzzling 12 months because there were many things in the wonderful world of hockey that I found it difficult to understand. Now I’ll admit that I’m a lad from humble rural roots and being juxtaposed on all the sophistication of the national Hockey League simply might be too big a step. But as the old year headed for history, I found myself musing in front of the fire about a few things that I just couldn’t quite understand. One of those puzzles was the anxiety attack inspired by the national team of the Soviet Union…
ON THE CONTRARY
The Gretzky Effect What is this thing called Gretzkysism? — Anonymous Like the quickening darkness that accompanies an eclipse, The Gretzky Effect is settling upon us. As the man once warbled in that fine tune Some Enchanted Evening: “Who can explain it; who can tell you why. Fools give you reasons; wise men never try.” We do know that Gretzkyism cannot be contained. Although it is a clear and present danger to 20 NHL teams, only the Boston Bruins appear to have even a remote idea of what to do about it let alone how to do it. It is expected that the Bruins will soon be enveloped by its deadly powers and Bostonians will join the entranced legions. But life must go on. Since we all are enveloped by the Gretzky spell and it…
Highlights of 1981
• Mike Bossy tied Maurice Richard’s 1944-45 record, scoring 50 goals in 50 games.• Guy Lafleur became the fastest 1,000-point scorer in history, turning the trick in 720 games.• Minnesota GM Lou Nanne surprised the NHL by calling for a ban on fighting.• Wayne Gretzky broke Phil Esposito’s mark of 152 points, winning the scoring title with 164.• The NHL went over the 11 million mark in attendance for the first time.• The Soviet Union won the world cup championship for the 15th time in Sweden.• The New York Islanders successfully defended their Stanley Cup title.• Bob Berry became the surprise new coach of the Montreal Canadiens.• Olympic Gold Medal winning coach Herb Brooks finally made it to the NHL with the Rangers.• The Quebec Nordiques spirited a third Stastny…
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