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June 1, 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.
COMING TO THE DEFENSE OF HOCKEY’S DEFENSELESS
There’s nothing like a post-season mound of NHL carcasses to launch the media vultures into their power-dive of putdowns. This spring’s list includes Robbie Ftorek, Pete Peeters, Emile Francis, Ted Sator, Gene Ubriaco and Herbie Lewis (Herbie who?), to name a few. Each is vulnerable and relatively defenseless. Permit me to come to their defense. Ftorek: I defy anyone to name a coach who could have produced a better record for the Los Angeles Kings than Ftorek. The Glen Sather-John Muckler-Ted Green triumvirate is arguably the best coaching trio this side of Lower Slobovia and all they could muster was a third-place with Edmonton. And even Peter Pocklington knows what happened to the Oilers at playoff time. Ftorek kept the team afloat despite: Forwards who believe backchecking is a four-letter word; A defense with the…
NO MORE MUCKING FOR COURTNALL
Geoff Courtnail never did believe he was just another fourth-line mucker, even though he played that role as a Boston Bruin in 1986-87. Two seasons later, as a Washington Capital, he rose above the muck for good. His 42 goals and 80 points in 79 games placed himself amongst the NHL’s premier left wingers. And most importantly to Courtnail, it represented an improvement on his 3630-66 totals of the year before, which many observers believed he would never again match. “A lot of people said last season was a fluke and I was glad to be able to prove it wasn’t,” said Courtnall, 26. “I wasn’t looking to score 40 goals. I just wanted to get close enough to 36 so people would be convinced I could do it on a regular…
EDMONTON FORECAST: LONG SUMMER, STORMY WINTER
Esa Tikkanen and his new agent said they’re going to court against the Edmonton Oilers. Glen Sather shrugged off the threat as a publicity ploy…and went golfing. Tikkanen and his agent, Edmonton lawyer Rich Winter, called a press conference May 15 to disclose intentions of launching legal action against the Oilers. The dispute, quite simply, is over salary. “We feel we have a strong case to have Esa’s contract declared invalid and to have him declared a free agent without compensation,” revealed Winter, who was involved a bitter dispute with Oilers’ manager-coach Sather while renegotiating goaltender Grant Fuhr’s contract during the 1987-88 season. “We will bring two actions: One, to declare his existing (option year) contract with the Oilers invalid; and, two, to protect his right to negotiate in a free market, we…
CROSSWORD
ACROSS: 1. The first two-time Smythe Trophy winner (5,3). 5. He was acquired by the Rangers from the Rockies in a multi-player swap in 1979. 9. He played for and later coached the Whalers. 10. Penalize. 11. Cornerman. 12. This Hall-of-Fame linesman worked more than 1,000 NHL games. 14. He’s been with Vancouver, Colorado, New Jersey, Minnesota, Quebec, Detroit and Winnipeg in his 10 NHL seasons. 16. An original Toronto Toro, Mike — 19. He succeeded Glenn Hall as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year, Larry —. 21. This former Flyer holds the record for the most points—five—by a player in his first NHL game (2,4). 24. He holds Canucks’ career record for penalty minutes. 25. Though better known as a coach, he was named Hart Trophy winner in 1939. 26. Mike Bossy set an NHL record with this many power-play goals during…
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