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April 24, 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.


Get A Shave And A Haircut And Mu Two Bits
MY BEST EFFORTS to get the staff of THE HOCKEY NEWS into the proper frame of mind for the playoffs have been rebuffed. I don’t understand it. No one, not a soul at the office, would get a Hare Krishna haircut and dye the remaining strands red and white—our corporate colors. Talk about your lack of team spirit. How are we going to perform in the postseason if we don’t radically alter our appearance and make a sophomoric gesture to promote team unity? Growing a playoff beard is passe. C’mon, that’s for old guys. Today, you need a Mohawk haircut, shaved head or multi-color dye job. Or, if you’re referee Kerry Fraser, you do away with the bangs and get a nice new coiff. Today THE HOCKEY NEWS, tomorrow GQ. But hey, don’t be fooled by our…


Gardner Enjoys Last Laugh After Demotion
BINGHAMTON, N.Y.—Center Bill Gardner always wanted to be a comedian. He’s made the American League his stage this season, but no one is laughing, just applauding. Gardner has been a dominant force for the Binghamton Whalers since being banished to the minor leagues by Hartford in December. “I’ve always heard that guys who had a sense of humor and crack jokes all the time have a lot of nervous energy built up inside,” said Gardner, whose one-liners have kept the Whalers loose all season. “But I’ve never felt real nervous in situations. I’ve always tried to make the best of it and enjoy the situation.” After spending the last five seasons as a National Hockey League regular with Chicago and Hartford, he lost his spot on the Whalers’ roster. The minors were his…


Battle With Ballard To Go Before NHL
Harold Ballard could finally lose his war with the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association this summer when the board of governors amends its by-laws, compelling all teams to allow men and women into dressing rooms for post-game interviews. But Toronto Sun writer Scott Morrison, prexy of the PHWA, tells BLUELINES he’s anticipating a “worst-case” scenario with Ballard. “There’s always a possibility that Harold will ignore the governors,” says Morrison. The PHWA expects the owners to move on their bid either at the June meetings or, at the latest, in September. “We have a lawyer looking into it,” says Morrison, “and right now we’ve done everything we can.” Some NHL insiders believe an ornery Ballard will continue his present policy of forcing newsmen to do interviews in a separate area, away from…


Plager Prefers Punchlines To Punch-Ups These Days
WHEN THE DAY comes for Bobby Plager to tell his life story, he plans to skip the book and go straight for the movie rights. “The guy who’ll play me was here last week,” he said. “John Candy. He was here shooting a movie in St. Louis. He came and watched two games with us in our box. He’s from Toronto, and he’s a big Maple Leafs fan. “But I didn’t get into any one-liners with him, because I don’t like to argue with an unarmed man.” With or without the bulky Second City funnyman playing the hero, Bobby Plager: The Movie promises to have funny dialogue. Or more precisely, funny monologue. In 13 years as an NHL defenseman, 11 of them in St. Louis, Plager packed a punch along the blue line. Since…