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July 31, 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.
Clarke Advocating Shorter Center Ice
Calgary assistant GM Al MacNeil and Flyer GM Bob Clarke are among the more outspoken execs on the subject of NHL ice surfaces being too small. MacNeil wants the rinks lengthened; Clarke proposes an experiment which could be tried during the exhibition season. “We need more room behind the nets,” says Clarke. “Have the blue lines moved closer to the red lines and use the center line only for icing. We should also eliminate the two-line offside pass.”…MacNeil is crusading for one significant improvement in rules enforcement—the elimination of cross-checking from behind. “It’s the reason so many young players wind up in wheelchairs for the rest of their lives,” warns MacNeil. “A player should get 10 minutes for that and if he does it again, should be tossed out of…
Bruins Hope Wesley Can Play Immediately
BOSTON—The Boston Bruins may have a great team three or four years from now, especially on defense, but there’s still a lot of work to be done if they expect to reverse their sagging fortunes in 1987-88. With two choices in the first round of the National Hockey League’s entry draft, the Bruins were “forced” to load up on defensemen, taking Glen Wesley of the Portland Winter Hawks in the No. 3 slot and Stephane Quintal of the Granby Bisons at No. 14. “Our future on defense should be good,” said general manger Harry Sinden, “but we’ve still got some work to do.” Sinden would have preferred a different scenario unfold during round one of the draft. With Wesley already in the fold, he would have liked a forward but Keith Osborne, a…
Nordiques, Caps Conduct Gut Check With Deal
A FEW NOTES and observations as a hockey season finally locates summer, albeit a short one. Canada Cup training camps open in early August. • Each National Hockey League entry draft produces an assortment of interesting comparisons before teams’ performances in the annual harvest of prospects can be rated. The development of this year’s top two picks, Pierre Turgeon and Brendan Shanahan, will be monitored closely. Turgeon’s large amount of pure skill, but questionable work habits, and Shanahan’s enormous ambition make them a splendid study. • The trade between Quebec Nordiques and Washington Capitals is a gutsy one. Parting with Dale Hunter, regarded as the heart of the Nords, and good young goalie Clint Malarchuk is a large risk. The Caps also gambled in parting with a first-round pick. • Cap hopes are…
GM Vows To Rejuvenate Woeful Wolves
SUDBURY—The 18-hour days were running into one another, but Marcel Bedard claimed he wasn’t getting tired. As vice-president, governor and general manager of the Sudbury Wolves, Bedard has been entrusted by owner Ken Burgess with the colossal task of rejuvenating the sad-sack Ontario League franchise. And while some OHL executives enjoyed a vacation after the May 30 priority draft. Bedard was hard at work in his Sudbury Arena office. One of his first moves was to hire a coach. He lured Chicago native John Wallin away from Kent State University to replace Guy Blanchard, who resigned just before the draft. Wallin, 37, arrives in Sudbury, Aug. 1, after completing some business for the Can-Am Hockey Group. And Bedard said he is certain the man—who, in three years took Kent State from Division III status to…
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