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October 17, 2006
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.
Top troika terrifying with Bell on wing
THE FIRST LINE The Sharks earned three major trophies on their first line last year and figure they upgraded at left wing in the off-season. That’s saying something. Hart and Art Ross winner Joe Thornton and Rocket Richard winner Jonathan Cheechoo have been joined by Mark Bell, who improved his goal and point totals in each of his first five seasons in Chicago. Bell, 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, brings a physical presence to the line. A power forward who can create space for his linemates, he battles in the corners and is a threat to score 30 goals. Thornton doesn’t figure to change his tack. He’ll work behind the net a lot, display patience and hit his linemates with pinpoint passes. Cheechoo, unfazed by all the attention from last year’s breakout 56-goal campaign,…
Plying his trade
MICHEL PETIT WAS involved in more than his fair share of deals, but the biggest one of all almost didn’t include him. On the second day of 1992, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames hooked up for a 10-player swap headlined by 50-goal man Gary Leeman heading west, while future Leaf legend, Doug Gilmour, landed in Toronto. Petit was one of the five players the Leafs sent to Alberta, but had Toronto coach Tom Watt had his way, Petit would have been around for the Gilmour-led Leaf resurrection. “Tom Watt did not want to trade me,” Petit says. “The guy supposed to go was Bob Rouse, but Calgary didn’t want Rouse.” Legend has it Watt apologized to Petit for having to trade him, but explained it was the only way the monster…
Windsor opens doors in 2008
For the first time since absorbing the Manitoba Moose from the old International League in 2002, the American League plans to expand into a non-NHL market in Canada. Ice Track Corp. of Windsor, Ont., a partnership operated by the Toldo Corp., has agreed to buy the dormant Cincinnati franchise and move it into a new arena for 2008-09. Project Ice Track is planned to open in late summer or early fall of 2008. The 6,500-seat arena, including 750 club seats, is the cornerstone of the facility that will also include a new horse-racing track and a slot-machine casino. The track and slots would replace Windsor Raceway. The franchise talks moved swiftly. Discussions between the Toldo Corp. and the AHL began in July, said league president Dave Andrews. Approval was formally given Oct. 2,…
Obstruction crackdown producing growing pains
The Western League’s plan to speed up its product slowed down some early games. It was not uncommon to see games with 20-plus power plays. Although the frequent whistles detracted from the pace, Saskatoon coach-GM Lorne Molleken emphasized there will be long-term benefits. “It’ll take a little longer at our level because of the younger players and younger referees, but I think it’s a positive move,” Molleken said of the WHL’s decision to adopt the NHL’s standard of rule enforcement. “The question has been asked many times by lots of fans. My remark to them is ‘Did you enjoy the NHL last year?’ and they said yes. That’s where our game is going to. Everybody will just have to be patient.” NOTES Everett coach Kevin Constantine accepted the WHL’s decision after he was fined…
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