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October 5, 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.
The Hawks Will Be Put To The Test Early
CHICAGO—Two years ago, when Orval Tessier was the Black Hawks’ rookie coach, he led them to a 104-point season and was the National Hockey League Coach of the Year. Banners in Chicago Stadium went so far as to make him a write-in candidate for mayor. In 10 years no other coach had gotten so much out of Chicago’s boys of winter. Not Billy Reay. Not Bill White. Not Bob Pulford. Not Eddie Johnston. Not Keith Magnuson. But last year Tessier’s team had almost as many injuries as Chicago has potholes. The Hawks nosedived to 68 points, their sorriest season since 197677 when White took over a bad team from Reay at Christmas and helplessly watched it get progressively worse. Corresponding with the Hawks’ fall from grace, Tessier’s relationship with some of the players…
BLUELINES
Several bombshells will go off when the new Harold Ballard biography, Ballard: A Portrait of Canada’s Most Controversial Sports Figure, hits the bookstores in the next few weeks. After considerable debate, editors decided to include mention about Pal Hal’s latest female friend. In addition, author Bill (Globe and Mail) Houston debunks some Ballard myths. One Ballard tale has him being a Canadian speed skating champ. Houston’s research reveals that Ballard never held such a title and was, at best, an average skater. Ballard is also credited with holding a motorboat speed record of 63 mph set in the ’20s. Houston tells BLUELINES that he found no evidence of that record and suspects it never existed. Ballard is sure to be infuriated by these and other revelations in the book…Although National…
Whalers Talking With Optimism
HARTFORD—The last—and only—time that the Hartford Whalers qualified for the playoffs was the 1979-80 season, their first in the National Hockey League. Their hopes of ending a four-year drought seem more realistic this time around. “This is the first time in my four years here that I honestly think we can make the playoffs,” said defenseman Chris Kotsopoulos. It won’t be easy, not located in the Adams Division where Boston, Buffalo, Quebec and Montreal look at the playoffs as the first step, not the fulfillment of any sort of goal. “We have a stronger nucleus starting out than we had last year and the guys definitely are serious,” captain Mark Johnson said. “I know after our last game in New York, no one wanted the season to end. The same feeling is there…
Another Line Of Scorers Would Benefit The Bruins
BOSTON—“Our defense,” said general manager Harry Sinden, “stacks up pretty damned well.” Indeed, when you list the strong points of the Boston Bruins as they opened the 1984-85 training camp in suburban Danvers, you start with Pete Peeters in goal and move out to defensemen Raymond Bourque, Mike O’Connell and the rapidly improving 20-year-old Gord Kluzak. In Sinden’s estimation, Peeters, the Vezina Trophy winner two years ago, is one of the three best goalies in hockey, despite the fact that injuries cut into his effectiveness last season. Off his performance in the Canada Cup series, he could improve on last year’s 3.16 goals-against average. Backup goalie Doug Keans, a pleasant surprise last season after he was picked up on waivers from the Los Angeles Kings, gives the Bruins what Sinden calls “a goaltending tandem…
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