1,000-Plus Players In Hockey America

The National Novice Hockey Association has not only gotten bigger, but better. Designed as an adult league for would-be hockey stars who had never before played the sport, the NNHA has turned out some proficient players in its nine-year history. The problem was, once those players had reached a certain level of competence, where would they go? The formation of an advanced division provided a partial solution, but it wasn’t until the creation two seasons ago of Hockey America that the more talented players could be assured of continued competitive hockey. The NNHA expanded, creating Hockey America in response to what if felt was a need for high-level recreational hockey in the U.S. Several of its players are graduates of the novice loop, though hockey players of every calibre are welcome. “Hockey America is open…

Finally, Lehmann Making His Presence Felt

BOSTON—It was a long time coming but Tommy Lehmann, the Swedish center who has seen more of the medical room than the rink in his first year in the NHL, has finally started to make a contribution to the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old rookie scored his first goal as a North American pro Feb. 13 against the Vancouver Canucks, giving him four points in a season that had reached nine games. “I’m more ready now and I’m in better shape,” said Lehmann. “Being in shape is not only getting your condition back—you need your timing and your skating, too. “It’s so much of a confidence thing, too. You score a couple of goals and you just feel like you can score. Look at Cam Neely. He knows he’s a goalscorer. I know the…

Brodeur Shut Out Of Canucks’ Future Plans

VANCOUVER—King Richard’s reign with the Vancouver Canucks is over. Richard Brodeur’s eight-year career with the Canucks ended on a sour note after Canuck general manager Pat Quinn and director of hockey operations Brian Burke told the popular goalie Feb. 5 to no longer attend team practices. Brodeur, who asked Quinn for a trade in early October, said the Canucks were dragging their feet on trade talks and he went public with his dissatisfaction. Quinn and Burke reacted by telling him to stay home, saying his remarks were a distraction to the other players. “It’s got to be made clear who’s running the team.” said Burke. “We can’t have players running to the press when they don’t like the amount of ice time they’re getting.” The team received much flak for its handling of the situation,…

Elston