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February 5, 1993
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.
OHL rookie attracting attention
Jeff O’Neill wasn’t looking for preferential treatment. He hasn’t received any. But he may not be able to avoid it next season. The 16-year-old Guelph Storm center has been superb during his rookie Ontario League season-justifying his selection first overall in the 1992 midget draft. Next year, O’Neill will be eligible for the NHL draft and he could go No. 1 again. He and Newmar ket Royals’ center Jason Bon-signore are considered the two best prospects in North America. O’Neill, 6-foot-l and 180 pounds, led OHL rookies with 21 goals and 50 points in 43 games. He also had 61 penalty minutes. Bonsignore had 13 goals, 27 points and zero penalty minutes in 46 games. The Storm’s stylish pivot has attracted notice outside major junior hockey. O’Neill was asked to play for Canada at the…
NHL finally has signed CBA
The NHL and NHLPA finally have a new collective bargaining agreement. It was signed Jan. 22., officially ending one set of negotiations and signalling the start to another. A record number of arbitrations are expected to be heard after the allstar break now that NHL management and labor have settled procedural differences. Arbitration was the last obstacle to signing a final agreement. The negotiation was the most protracted in league history and led to a 10-day strike last fall. Eight independent arbitrators, four selected by management and four by the NHL Players’ Association, were named to hear the arbitrationcases. Names of the arbitrators were not made public. A panel of three arbitrators will be chosen for each case with the player and management then selecting one from the group. If the same person is picked, that…
That empty feeling
The Edmonton Oilers are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. But that’s the least of their worries. The Oilers have seen their average attendance plummet by almost 1,700 per game to 14,423 after 20 home games this season. They fill 83 per cent of the capacity of the Northlands Coliseum, placing them 20th in the NHL in that category. That contrasts to a leaguewide trend that has seen attendance increase by a per-game average of 82 fans. The expansion teams Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are not included. Edmonton isn’t the only team facing turnstile troubles. The Hartford Whalers’ attendance woes are well documented and the New Jersey Devils are also having a tough time attracting fans. Faced with a decreasing attendance problem and a lack of…
ALL-STAR GAZING
You don’t have to be a goalie to realize that the AllStar Game is far from perfect. The NHL’s masked men would probably be the first ones to suggest the game has to change. The winning team has reached double figures in the last three games and goalies have been victimized for a total of 65 goals in the last five. Let’s face it, the league’s mid-season classic has turned into a tedious game of glorified shinny that features too many goals and not enough hits. The only excitement it seems to generate is in the controversy surrounding the player selections. So for the sanity of the goalies-and enjoyment of the fans-the NHL should consider some of the following changes: □ Discard the rule that guarantees representation for each team. Technically, it isn’t really an…
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