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April 28, 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.
MUSKEGON KEEPS UP TORRID PACE
For the Muskegon Lumberjacks, it was a new face with the same result. After leading the Lumberjacks to four straight East Division titles, three straight appearances in the Turner Cup finals and a championship in 1986, Rick Ley departed to take over the Milwaukee Admirals. But with B.J. MacDonald behind the Muskegon bench this season, the Lumberjacks have kept right on going. All they did this year was win the East Division again, retain the Huber Trophy by finishing first overall with a 57-18-7 record and break three International League records they set last season. The Lumberjacks’ 433 goals, 715 assists and 1,148 points broke records of 415-699-1,114. The Lumberjacks also had seven players with 30 or more goals in 82 games, tying the record set by the Cincinnati Mohawks in 60 games in…
LEMIEUX FACES STIFF CHALLENGE THIS YEAR
Mario Lemieux holds a special place in the history of The Hockey News awards. He is the man who last year broke Wayne Gretzky’s string of eight consecutive seasons as THIN’s NHL player of the year. But even though Lemieux had a better season statistically this year than last, he is by no means a lock to repeat. Lemieux’s teammate Paul Coffey, the Los Angeles Kings’ duo of Gretzky and Bernie Nicholls, and Detroit Red Wing star Steve Yzerman are also candidates in what could be the closest race since 1980-81—when goaltender Mike Liut of St. Louis tied Gretzky for the award. This year’s winner of the THN/ NHL Black Velvet Player of the Year Award will be determined by the results of fan balloting. Paul Coffey, 27, defenseman, Pittsburgh: Coffey is back. The two-time…
TROTTIER FEELS LIKE HE’S 20 AGAIN
Bryan Trottier said he didn’t consider the parallel. But after the 32-year-old center missed the New York Islanders’ last seven games with back spasms, one couldn’t help thinking about Mike Bossy and his career-ending bad back. Everybody knew that Trottier and Bossy were Siamese linemates. But wasn’t this carrying the twins thing a bit too far? Alas, it was. Trottier, home the first week in April for the first time in his 14-year NHL career, feels fine now. As fine as a guy who’s missed the playoffs can feel. “It never was a serious problem,” said Trotticr, the only Islander to play in his team’s first 73 games of this season. “Everybody we talked to said it was muscle-related. For two weeks, I couldn’t move comfortably. I couldn’t stand up and sit down…
OILERS: NOT A PRETTY PICTURE
The first order of business upon arrival home was a team picture. It wasn’t pretty….but it was necessary. The urgency of the photo season stemmed from the hasty departure of those headed overseas. Five members of the dethroned Stanley Cup-champion Edmonton Oilers were scheduled to travel to Stockholm April 17 for the World Championships. Captain Mark Messier, winger Glenn Anderson and goalie Grant Fuhr were set to join Team Canada, while EsaTikkanen and Jari Kurri were slated to hook up with their native Finland. Manager-coach Glen Sather’s Oilers slipped to third place in the Smythe Division, seventh in the overall NHL standings and lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. Add it all up and the Oilers simply weren’t good enough to defend their title. Far too many of…
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