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January 16, 1987
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.
Delvecchio Second Banana But He Seldom Slipped Up
Alex Delvecchio is the answer to one of hockey’s unique trivia questions. Who played 1,549 National Hockey League games, scored 456 goals and added 825 assists, all with the same team—only to be remembered as the No. 2 man in each category on his team’s all-time list? As great as Delvecchio was, he played in the shadow of someone even greater, Detroit Red Wing teammate Gordie Howe. The native of Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ont., takes his status as a historical footnote in stride. “Really, I just feel grateful I was able to play in the league against all of those great play-ers—Mikita, Beliveau, Richard,” he says. “When you play against great players, it brings out the best in you.” Playing with the best also helped. “Gordie Howe was the greatest, there’s no doubt about…
Rocky Moutain High
CALGARY—The Czechoslovakian national team regularly experiences more ups and downs than an elevator. When they’re bad, they’re really bad. When they’re good, they’re really good. At the Izvestia Cup in Moscow before Christmas, Czechoslovakia placed a disappointing fourth behind the champion Soviet Union. But less than two weeks later, they were celebrating a shocking 3-2 victory over the Soviets in the championship game of the Calgary Cup. “The Russians,” said a delighted Czechoslovak coach, Jan Starsi, “always have very stable performances throughout the year. “I don’t know why it’s the case with us that sometimes we’re low and sometimes we’re high.” On Jan. 3, before a wildly supportive crowd of 16,343 at the Olympic Saddledome, the Czechoslovakians were higher than the nearby Rocky Mountains. They executed their game plan to perfection, capitalizing on uncharacteristic Soviet mistakes to…
Canadians Capture Spengler Championship
Though Canada’s national junior team saw its medal hopes disappear in a finalgame brawl with the Soviet Union, another Canadian team emerged triumphant in a European tournament. Canada won the 60th Spengler Cup in Davos, Switz., defeating Sokol Kiev of the Soviet Union 9-6 on Dec. 31 in the final game. Team Canada—a makeshift squad of collegians and Canadians playing on European teams—finished second in the five-team round robin, with a record of three wins and one loss. The team topped Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and West Germany, but lost its initial match with Sokol Kiev 7-3. The Soviet team was undefeated in roundrobin play. In the final game, Canada got two goals apiece from Brian Hills and ex-NHLer Merlin Malinowski, to go with singles by Pierre Rioux, Paul Geddes, Martin Bouliane, Terry Jones and…
PLAYER OF THE WEEK TITAN JOFA
Kevin Gibson is a 12-year-old goaltender who thoroughly enjoys the challenge of playing net. The native of Scarborough, Ont., plays his hockey with the Scarborough Sabres, under the guidance of coach John LeBlanc. Before joining the Sabres, he spent three years with the Clairlea Blues. Kevin also tends net with his local peewee all-star team. He does well in the classroom, too, as a Grade 7 student at General Brock Public School. Favorite subjects include english and mathematics. Kevin follows National Hockey League action, especially the progress of his favorite team, the Patrick Division-leading Philadelphia Flyers. He has especially fond memories of the late Pelle Lindbergh, whose play inspired him in goal. In the summer, Kevin keeps active playing baseball.…