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February 3, 1989
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.
THIS GENERAL MANAGER IS NO JET-SETTER
Could someone please tell me what qualifications Mike Smith has to be general manager of the Winnipeg Jets? Has he ever gone char fishing in the Arctic with Glen Sather and Harry Sinden? Has he ever broken bread with Cliff Fletcher, Bill Torrey and Lou Nanne? Shared a private jet, or even a limousine, with Phil Esposito? Smoked a stogie with Serge Savard? That’s what I thought. The man is hopelessly out of his element. What does all that have to do with running a team in the NHL? Nothing, really. Style points, at last glance, don’t count in the standings. “Mike Smith is a bright, intelligent guy who is thoroughly dedicated to his work,” says David Conte, the New Jersey Devils’ assistant director of player personnel. “Mike Smith is one of the most knowledgeable…
THE DODGE NHL REPORT
Tony Granato selected this week’s Dodge NHL Performer of the Week Dodge is the official sponsor of NHL All-Star Fan Balloting NEW YORK—New York Rangers’ right winger Tony Granato, who registered eight points (5-38) in three road games, was named Dodge Performer of the Week for the period ending January 22. Granato, who was in the midst of a six game goal-scoring streak during which he had amassed 16 points (10-6-16), edged Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Mario Lemieux and New York Islanders’goaltender Kelly Hrudey to capture the award. Dodge will donate $500 to the youth hockey organization of each performer’s choice. Dodge also sponsors the Performer of the Month and Performer of the Year Awards, for which the latter receives the Dodge vehicle of his choice. In four years, Dodge has contributed more than $125,000…
SCORING 50 ALL IN 44 GAMES’ WORK FOR LEMIEUX
To most players, scoring 50 goals in 50 or fewer games would fulfill their most outrageous professional fantasies. But to Mario Lemieux, doing it merely fulfilled an obligation. “That’s what I’m paid for,” he said. “To score goals.” Even the accountants in Pittsburgh must figure they’re getting their money’s worth from Lemieux, who got his 50th goal of the season in his 44th game (the Penguins’ 46th). Only Wayne Gretzky—who has scored 50 in 39, 42 and 49 games—has done it faster. Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy are the only other players in league history to score 50 in as few as 50 games. But Lemieux’s 50th goal, which came when he beat Pokey Reddick 1:18 into what became a 7-3 loss in Winnipeg Jan. 20, had historical repercussions beyond the obvious. It was his 636th…
TONELLI IS BORN AGAIN IN LOS ANGELES
The calendar says John Tonelli will turn 32 on March 23, but the calendar lies. This is the season of JT’s rebirth. He is a renaissance man in the land of Kings because he feels wanted again. “It’s funny,” he says, “but I don’t wonder how old I am any more. It’s a good feeling. I enjoy the Kings, I enjoy the players. They give me a ton of respect.” And so Tonelli is giving back again the only way he knows how. His legs are churning, his arms are pumping, his game is jumping like it did in the early ’80s, when he scored huge goals for the New York Islanders and nobody worked harder for the money. The money. That’s how Tonelli’s slide began, back in the summer of ’85. He…
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