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October 2, 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.
Coffey And Messier Push For Renegotiation
EDMONTON—The champagne tasted bittersweet to Peter Pocklington after Team Canada’s thrilling Canada Cup triumph. The Edmonton Oilers’ owner wasn’t even out of the Team Canada dressing room before he heard two of his stars, center Mark Messier and defenseman Paul Coffey, announce they planned to stay away from training camp unlil their contracts were renegotiated. Within the week, he could wear a half-smile. Messier had confirmed he would report to camp, following a brief holiday in West Germany, where he was visiting his brother Paul. “I talked with Glen (general manager-coach Sather) and I was very pleased with our discussion,” said the 26-year-old center, who joined Coffey in announcing a holdout for more money than called for by their $300,000-plus contracts. Both are entering the fourth season of five-year deals. “I look forward to…
Oiler Doesn’t Label Himself A Defector
Ivan Matulik. the 19-year-old Czechoslovakian national junior ace who jumped to the Oilers last spring, does not view himself as a defector. “1 wouldn’t say that I ran away,” explains Matulik. “I just left Czechoslovakia. There is a difference. People who run away, those are people who did something in Czechoslovakia or owe something. I left with a clean record. The only thing is the emotion about my mother or my friends.” Matulik, who’ll either play for the Oilers or in Halifax, left his actor-parents, who are divorced, as well as a girlfriend, brother, plus an adopted brother and sister in his homeland. “I didn’t tell my mother I was going before I left,” he adds…When Bruin coach Terry O’Reilly was asked whether his newlywed enforcer Jay Miller might go…
Larmer Best Hawk Early In Training Camp
CHICAGO—There are two things Bob Murdoch wants to see while running his first NHL training camp: sweat and thought. Murdoch, new coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, ran a brisk, well-organized camp that produced more spirited scrimmaging than the Hawks have seen in several years. “I’m very satisfied,” Murdoch said. “I think the work ethic has been pretty good. And the enthusiasm has been good.” Murdoch pointed to a couple of veterans, Steve Larmer and Denis Savard. Until he was sidelined briefly by a pulled back muscle, Savard was “really jumping out there,” Murdoch said. “Even when we went into the weight room for circuit training, he was a leader in there,” Murdoch said. “He worked as hard as anybody else.” As for Larmer, the right winger was “probably the best player in camp.” “He’s a player whose…
Gretzky Retains A Passion For Baseball
You’d think at this time of the year Wayne Gretzky’s mind would be riveted on hockey and the ice alone, but that’s not so. Gretzky, who describes himself as a “a pretty average baseball player,” is watching the pennant races as closely as Keith Hernandez and George Bell. “Baseball,” says Gretzky, “is my favorite game. I love it.” Growing up in Brantford, Ont., Wayne alternated on the diamond between the mound and shortstop. He makes an interesting comparison between baseball and hockey. “What I like about baeball is the atmosphere; the fact that it’s a thinking man’s game. In hockey you play on instinct because of the speed. There’s so much more thinking in baseball; you’ve got to know when to run, where to throw the ball; and when you’re batting, what pitch he’s…
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