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September 30, 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.


Morissettes Spend $300,000 To Purchase QMJHL’s Titan
The ownership of Laval Titan has become a family affair. The Morissettes—brothers Jean-Claude. Regis, Leo-Guy, Jocelyn. Georges and brother-in-law Michel—paid in excess of $300,000 for control of the Laval Titan. The Quebec League franchise has lost close to $200,000 since 1985. including slightly more than $100,000 last year, despite advancing to within one game of the league finals. “We love hockey and are willing to sweat for the Titans,” Jean-Claude Morissette explained. "Now we can *be the masters of our own destiny.” But first the new owners must find a replacement for general manager Richard Lafreniere. who advised the Morissette family of his plans to resign by the end of September when the regular season begins. Lafreniere's assistant, Fabien Chouinard, a former assistant to QMJHL president Gilles Courteau. was expected to inherit the GM’s portfolio. Jean-Claude…


Victoriaville’s Back—And Better Than Ever
Victoriaville is one of the best-known manufacturers of high-performance hockey sticks in Canada. After a major fire last year, Victoriaville has built a new manufacturing facility, replacing older machinery with new and more highly advanced equipment. The result of this new equipment will be shown through even higher-quality products. Victoriaville has continued to emphasize research and development in order to produce a high-quality stick. This has resulted in the optimum combination of stiffness, weight, balance and feel, with balance being the key to the ultimate stick. Ultravic 4050 For 1988-89, Ultravic 4050 is the flagship of the Vic line. The 4050 shaft provides an excellent lightweight feel and yet the necessary stiffness and strength from a fibreglass/wood core construction that promotes higher puck velocity. The blade on the 4050 is laminated ash with…


Simpson’s Isles Aren’t Able To Wing It Yet
UNIONDALE, N.Y.—Terry Simpson’s plan went awry before it was even under way. During the summer, the New York Islander coach figured since free-agent Finn Raimo Helminen’s best position is center, and incumbent centers Brent Sutter and Bryan Trottier play so well along the boards, why not experiment in training camp with either Sutter or Trottier on the wing? But when the 24-year-old Helminen complained of pain around his left hip the first day of camp, neurological tests were taken. Doctors discovered a muscle deficiency in his left hip and buttocks. So two days after camp began, Helminen was off skates and on a 10-to-14 day rehabilitation program. “That sort of delays the decisions that have to be made,” Simpson said. Until Helminen returned, Sutter and Trottier were still centers. “I wouldn’t mind at all,” Trottier…


Ley Wanted To Stay A Leaf
Despite two major disappointments in his career, defenseman-turned-coach Rick Ley has learned to cope and bounce back. The 39-year-old Ley’s most recent downer came when he was passed over for the vacant Pittsburgh Penguin coaching job. Ley was coaching the Penguins’ International League affiliate at Muskegon, where he won a league championship in 1985-86. The Penguins eventually hired Gene Ubriaco as their coach. Ley has since landed on his feet as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals—Vancouver’s IHL affiliate. Ley’s first disappointment came in the summer of 1972 at the beginning of a seven-year war between the NHL and the World Hockey Association. After establishing himself as a reliable defenseman in three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ley received a lucrative contract offer from the WHA’s New England Whalers, worth about $90,000 a…