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October 12, 1990
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.
ROOKIE RICCI SHOWING HIS OFFENSIVE PUNCH
Mike Ricci’s junior hockey performance was an off-Broad Street hit. When the Flyers brought him to the big show, however, skeptical audiences took a wait-and-see approach. It didn’t take Ricci long to win them over. As a matter of fact, the 18-year-old center drew rave reviews on the opening night of pre-season (Sept. 14), scoring the tying goal and setting up another in a come-from-behind 3-3 deadlock with New Jersey. Ricci, selected fourth overall in last June’s draft, didn’t miss a shift in the Flyers’ first seven games. And he was the team’s second-leading scorer with six points. Any doubts about Ricci’s prominence in the Flyers’ plans were erased early. His photograph was put in the section with the established players in the team’s yearbook, the first time a first-year player has earned that distinction…
BEEFED-UP GILMOUR PULLING HIS WEIGHT
His right-hand man, Joey Mullen, was moved to Pittsburgh. His left wingers, a rotating bunch anyway, were spread out onto different lines. So for Doug Gilmour, this is a year unlike his first two in Calgary. He spent training camp and the exhibition season shopping for new linemates. Or perhaps more precisely, the rest of the Calgary Flames’ forwards were angling for a chance to play with Gilmour. For all the people who needed to put on a show during the Flames’ training camp, the one who didn’t—Gilmour—was in mid-season form right from Day 1. “He’s been very effective on the ice,” understated coach Doug Riseb-rough. “Kids come in (to an NHL training camp) and wonder what’s going to happen. I hey see a guy HKe Gilmour. It’s a 4-on-2, he’s behind the net…
ROTA JOINS NHL FRONT OFFICE
CANUCKS Vancouver native Darcy Rota ended a 10-year association with the Canucks when he announced Sept. 25 he had accepted a front-office job with the NHL to work as president John Ziegler’s special assistant. Rota, who played 11 seasons in the NHL with Chicago, Atlanta and Vancouver, was appointed as the team’s director of player personnel in 1985. He had been the Canucks’ media relations director for the past three seasons. Rota will work out of the league’s New York office in his new post. “I’m a bit scared,” Rota admitted. “One day I’m trying to arrange for an autographed hockey stick and the next day I’m going to be at the board of governors meeting.” Rota, 37, holds the Canuck team records for most goals and points by a left…
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTENT FOR SMITH
When the Minnesota North Stars traded Bobby Smith to the Montreal Canadiens in October of 1983, it took a while for him to accept the deal. “After the trade, I remember skating around the Forum during the pregame warmups and seeing my reflection in the glass,” Smith said. “Fora long time, seeing the (Canadiens’ logo) on my sweater just didn’t look right. “I don’t have any of those feelings coming back to Minnesota. It feels very natural. Seeing the North Stars’ logo on my sweater looks right.” Smith owned the Twin Cities the last time he was a North Star. He was the first pick overall in the 1978 draft and was such an important part of the North Stars’ future that a local dairy company got involved in satisfying his contract demands. The…
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