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March 7, 1986
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.
MICRON JUNIOR PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
ONTARIO LEAGUE The Philadelphia Flyers are awaiting the day Greg Smyth makes it to NHL because of his size and offensive skills. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound defenseman of the London Knights, who was drafted by the Flyers in 1984, was chosen the OHL Player of the Week after collecting seven points in four games, increasing his season total to 48 points. The rugged 19-year-old Smyth is the OHL’s leading scorer among defensemen. WESTERN LEAGUE The Medicine Hat Tigers are in a dogfight with Prince Albert to become the Western League’s No. 1 team this season and much of the credit for their success is due rookie goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick. The Tigers 17-year-old netminder was selected the WHL Player of the Week for’winning three straight games and allowing only four goals, for a 1.37 GAA. The youngster’s record was…
It’s Otto-Matic For Calgary Flames’ Rookie
CALGARY—The operative word on Joel Otto this season is patience. In the first 27 games, when Otto scored just two goals, the Calgary Flames were patient with them. They could afford the luxury. They were winning regularly and when you’re winning, it’s easy to work a rookie center into the lineup. Especially when the rookie center is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and can skate with everybody on the team once he gets wound up. In the next 27 games, when the team wasn’t winning as frequently, the Flames were paid off for their patience. As their scoring dried up almost everywhere else, Otto was slowly starting to find the range around the net. In the second third of the season, he added 11 goals to the two he scored in the first third. More importantly,…
Cote Skates To The Defense Of Nordiques
QUEBEC CITY—Crucial? Yes. Suicidal? No. as it turned out. Contrary to the fears of many, the Quebec Nordiques more than survived a four-game road trip—winning three of four games to move past the Montreal Canadiens and take over first place in the Adams Division. The road-trip finale, a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Feb. 16, was the first Nordique victory in the Stampede city since November. 1982. Other than an 8-2 St. Valentine’s Day massacre, inflicted upon them by the Stanley Cup-champion Oilers, the Nordiques were impeccable in recording wins against Boston. Los Angeles and Calgary. This despite still more misfortune befalling the Nordiques’ blue line brigade when veteran Pat Price was forced to undergo emergency surgery for an appendectomy prior to the Los Angeles game. Alain Cote, a left winger-turned-defenseman. rode to…
First Draft Choices Don’t Always Finish First
ST. LOUIS—This is a tale of two fine young men who became first-round picks in the National Hockey League draft. There were great expectations, followed by failed expectations, followed by knee injuries. The tale eventually splits into one of two careers, one reborn and one stillborn. Nowadays, life couldn’t be nicer to St. Louis Blues’ center Doug Wickenheiser. And life couldn’t be meaner to Blues’ prospect-turned-suspect Marty Ruff. Wickenheiser topped off his miraculous—that’s no exaggeration—rebirth from major knee surgery on Feb. 13 in a 5-3 victory over Minnesota at The Arena. He took home a goal, an assist and the first star in his 11th game back after a 10-month layoff. Earlier that day, Dr. Jerome Gilden, the Blues’ orthopedic surgeon, took an arthroscopic peek at Ruffs right knee. He found a tom ligament. No major surgery…
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