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October 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.
Flames Will Be Judged By Playoff Season
CALGARY—In any new season, the Calgary Flames establish only one small goal: Try to hold onto the gains they made in the old season. Last year, the Flames established team records in a half-dozen categories, including wins (46), road wins (21) and points (95). They chased the Edmonton Oilers until the last month of the season and they defeated them six times in eight regular-season meetings. But their first-round playoff loss to Winnipeg put a damper on what was an otherwise successful season. So when new coach Terry Crisp took over from Bob Johnson, he knew that even if he couldn’t improve upon his predecessor’s regular-season record, he would get a second chance in the post-season. Strengths: Once again, the Flames possess perhaps the most balanced team in the NHL. They began training…
Hard-Luck Referee Out With Hepatitis
Kerry Fraser, who hoped to open the new season with a new lease on his officiating life, is sidelined with hepatitis and could miss the first month of the campaign. Bumped from the playoff rotation last spring, Fraser worked diligently over the summer for a solid start. “The league,” Fraser tells BLUELINES, “has been very supportive.”…Soviet megastar Vladislav Tretiak, who’s been hustling his new book across the continent, is being pursued by a Madison Avenue ad agency which is interested in employing the Russian for a big 1988 Olympic promotion. “We’d like to get some of the other Russians,” ad chief Marty Blackman (an early WHA organizer) tells BLUELINES, “but that doesn’t seem possible. “…F-lame GM Cliff Fletcher tells BLUELINES he wouldn’t be surprised to see Canadian Olympian Randy Gregg…
Olympics, Defections Take Toll On WCHA
It may be a long time before another team skates through the Western Collegiate Hockey Association the way North Dakota did last season. The Fighting Sioux set an NCAA record for wins (40) on the way to their third national title in seven years. But the heart of that club is gone. Hobey Baker Award-winning Tony Hrkac and fellow all-Americans Bob Joyce, Ian Kidd and Ed Belfour. have all left with college eligibility remaining. “To say the Sioux have a lot of question marks this year is an understatement,” sighed coach Gino Gasparini. From where will the power rise? “I can’t see anyone being all that exceptional,” Gasparini said. “You’d have to look at teams like Denver and maybe Northern Michigan, with a lot of players back, and of course Minnesota and Wisconsin.” Minnesota finished second…
Walton’s Leaf Days ‘Shakey’
Mike Walton’s 16-year professional hockey career was nothing if not unpredictable…or in his words “topsyturvy.” A self-admitted “cocky and arrogant kid,” Walton turned pro with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 1964-65 and his subsequent battles with coach and general manager Punch Imlach became legendary. “I was among the first members to join Alan Eagleson and the new NHL Players’ Association back in 1967 and that’s what really started my troubles with Punch,” Walton explains. “I scored 40 goals with Tulsa and won the Central League rookie award in 1964-65 and I scored 35 goals with Rochester of the American League the next year. I felt I had earned a spot with the Leafs but Punch wanted to keep me in the minors for another season. “When I asked the NHLPA to try and…
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