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September 21, 1984
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.
Senior Sabre Defenseman Not Thinking Of Retiring
BUFFALO—It was just about a year ago that Buffalo Sabre defenseman Bill Hajt announced he was retiring from hockey. Fortunately for the Sabres, Hajt’s retirement was short-lived, returning just before the end of training camp. Now, a year later, Hajt is ready for training camp with no thoughts of retirement. “I was just going through a period when I was a little frustrated and a little tired of hockey,” recalled Hajt, now beginning his 12th season as a Sabre. “Training camp was not that appealing to me and I just wasn’t ready to play hockey. “But getting away from all of it for a week (the length of the retirement) helped me out a lot. It made me realize how important hockey is to me. “I realized all the positive points of the game. The…
Nilsson Healthy…Knock On Wood
CALGARY—The recent history of Kent Nilsson has centered almost exclusively on his non-production. Blessed or perhaps cursed by a surplus of talent, Nilsson has never accomplished what people thought he would. Because he is so naturally gifted, everyone—coaches, general managers, spectators—naturally assumed that he would win a scoring title or contribute to a Stanley Cup or make an all-star team or set a record. It hasn’t happened for a lot of reasons that have been well-documented and one that hasn’t been: injuries. The last time he played in Calgary, Nilsson suffered a season-ending broken ankle. That came in a Mar. 27 game against the Los Angeles Kings and marked the latest in a long, irritating line of injuries and operations for the 28-year-old Nilsson. Since his 131-point season in 1980-81, Nilsson has been dogged by…
Training Camp Ain’t What It Used To Be
The term has grown obsolete. Nobody trains at National Hockey League training camps anymore. On Sept. 18, the first official day for workouts, you’d better be in game shape. The season will be just 24 days away. Thank the economy and the collective bargaining agreement between the Players’ Association and the owners, but training camp ain’t what it used to be. Pre-season games start less than a week after camps open. Training camp rosters that used to resemble the Philadelphia telephone book now fit neatly on three-by-five index cards. Summer used to be golf, golf, a week in the sun and a few rounds of golf. There’s still time for 10 holes these days, but not until after a daily skate and a whirl through the ol’ offseason conditioning program. Long gone is the…
Winnipeg’s George Smith Will Keep An “Eagle’ Eye
Remember George Smith, the Winnipeg transporter who had a replica of the Canada Cup made and presented to the Soviets in 1981? Smith became irate when Alan Eagleson sent the cops to seize the Canada Cup only a few hours after then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau presented it to the Soviets on national television in 1981. Well, Smith is as busy as ever, dispatching his fleet of trucks around the city and the province with loads of perishables. But he has his eye peeled on Eagleson again. If the Soviets happen to win again and have the trophy seized once more, he’ll be all over the executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association. Smith was hailed as a hero in parts of Canada and the Soviet Union when he pooled donations and had…
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