Guerard’s Future Uncertain After Leaving Nords’ Camp

QUEBEC CITY—Defenseman Stephane Guerard surprised everyone at the Quebec Nordique camp by announcing Sept. 19 he was going home. He asked for time off to sort things out. “He doesn’t want to play hockey any more,” said Nordique general manager Martin Madden. “He seems confused and very discouraged.” The Nordiques said they were not suspending him. There were unconfirmed reports this was the second time during camp Guerard had talked of quitting the game. Guerard, the Nordiques’ third choice, 41st overall, in the 1986 entry draft, phoned Madden to tell him he was quitting. The 20-year-old, accompanied by his agent Bob Beale, then met with Madden. The Nordiques have said they will try to do everything possible to help the young man sort out his problems. When he reported to camp, his medical examination discovered Guerard…

Oilers Get Two Simpsons For Price Of One

EDMONTON—When it came time to talk contract, Edmonton Oiler left winger Craig Simpson kept it all in the family. On Sept. 15 Simpson was signed to a two-year deal, plus an option, for undisclosed terms. His agent? His father Don. Don Simpson is an international business consultant and a director of the International Management Development and Research School at the University of Western Ontario in Simpson’s hometown of London, Ont. He handled negotiations with Oiler general manager Glen Sather. With those credentials, it’s no surprise the negotiations were among the smoothest in Oiler history. “My father is well-qualified—in fact he’s better qualified than most agents,” Craig Simpson said. “He’s negotiated and done a lot of business deals in his lifetime. Obviously, having your father do your contract negotiations is good. It’s somebody you trust.” Sather was impressed…

Lafleur’s Comeback Cause For Celebration

GUY LAFLEUR COMMITTED himself to our memories four years ago. He's not a player anymore, he’s a plaque. And if his attempt to play again strikes many of us as being off the wall, it is largely because he is in the process of being mounted on one. It is where he belongs. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, damn it. There are those of us who think he should act like a Hall of Famer by resuming what great stars of storied franchises are expected to do: Shake hands. This is not a column about Guy Lafleur’s comeback. It is about the way we look at it. Or, more specifically, it is about the way we believe we are looking at it while we are only looking…

THE WAY WE WERE