Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

September 9, 1988
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.


Hockey World Taken Aback
The Trade was so big even John Ziegler emerged from the shadows to comment on it. “It has been a longstanding policy of the league not to comment on trades,” the NHL president said the day of the deal. “However, this is a unique situation. We wish all the players involved the best and hope that it continues the success of Edmonton and improves the fortunes of Los Angeles.” It also improves the fortunes of the Calgary Flames, according to Flame defenseman Paul Reinhart, who may not be around to reap the benefits. Reinhart, who has been plagued by back injuries and trade rumors, faces an uncertain future in Calgary. “It can’t help but affect them,” Reinhart said. “No matter how many guys you bring in, you don’t replace Wayne Gretzky. I’d go…


Whalers Stock Up On Musclemen
HARTFORD—Through mid-August, the big deals general manager Emile Francis promised for the Hartford Whalers at the end of last season had failed to materialize. “We’ve got a lot of things in the works,” Francis said. “Don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time.” The Whalers, however, did satisfy their desire to trade veteran defenseman Neil Sheehy, who had irked Francis during the playoffs by publicly pledging allegiance to his old team, the Calgary Flames. Score one for the heart, but keep those bags packed and the motor running. The Whalers dealt Sheehy and promising right winger Mike Millar to the Washington Capitals for rugged right winger Ed Kastelic and defenseman Grant Jennings on July 6. “By obtaining Kastelic and Jennings, we’ve added youth and size,” prancis said. “Both of these guys will be competing for jobs…


Watt’s New On The Flames’ Coaching Front
CALGARY—Some would consider it a step back. Tom Watt doesn’t. Watt, twice a head coach in the NHL, joined the Calgary Flames Aug. 3 as an assistant to Terry Crisp. Watt replaces Pierre Page, now the head man with Minnesota North Stars. “Why would it be a step back?” asked Watt. “I’m a career coach. Some people have a tough time handling that. When they made the changes in Vancouver (before the 1987-88 season), I was head coach and assistant general manager. They offered to extend my contract as assistant GM, but said they were going to make a coaching change. I wrestled with that for a while, then Kinger (Dave King) called. So I told the Canucks, ‘No.’” Instead, Watt spent last season working with King and the Canadian Olympic team. Following…


Fans’ Forgiving Nature In For All-Time Test
WHAT HAS TO be the longest and most bizarre dream any of us have ever had, continues. Repeated pinchings and dousings cannot bring it to conclusion. Gradually, grudgingly, one must concede the growing probability this is for real. The Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky. They traded the greatest hockey player who ever lived. In his prime. In a year in which they were coming off their fourth Stanley Cup in five years and were clear favorites to win another one. It makes no sense. Not for Jimmy Carson, not for Johnny Carson, not for three high draft choices, not for the first pick in 10 consecutive drafts. And then, on second reflection, it makes perfect sense. Hockey is a business and that’s exactly what Peter Pocklington did: Business. The fans of Edmonton gave Pocklington…