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March 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.
Pocklington says no to offer, will pursue different venues
Edmonton Oilers’ owner Peter Pocklington has flatly rejected a $65-million offer from Edmonton Northlands to purchase the hockey club. The offer was made Feb. 19 in the form of a letter presented to him by Northlands’ president Gerry Yuen. “They passed me the letter and I passed it back and said, ‘Not for sale,’” said Pocklington, who wants to renegotiate his lease with the Northlands Coliseum. But that doesn’t appear likely. “Frankly, for us to have considered that (renegotiation), we would have had to have a guarantee that he wouldn’t take the team out of here,” Yuen said. “And we saw no way of writing that into the contract.” Pocklington also proposed Northlands buy one-third of the team for $35 million and join in a partnership to build a new arena in downtown Edmonton. “One idea…
Spartans’ Buzak fills void
Michigan State coach Ron Mason’s biggest concern before the start of the 1992-93 season was finding a reliable goaltender. Senior Mike Gilmore graduated at the end of last season, leaving Mason to choose between two possible replacements-sophomores Mike Buzak and Eric Kruse. Each had limited collegiate experience-they had just 15 games played between them. The two battled for the No. 1 job in training camp, with Buzak emerging as the top goaltender. And he has proven to be a pleasant surprise. The 20-year-old Edmonton native has been one of the Central Collegiate Hockey Associations most effective- and busiest-goaltenders. He had a 17-7-1 record and 2.75 goals-against average in 29 games overall. His GAA was third-best among league netminders and his .902 save percentage was second only to Michigan’s Steve Shields (.911). “He has been very…
Captain Canuck
Trevor Linden is best when he plays out of character. For the 6-foot-4, 205-pound right winger, that means forcing himself to be in the face of the opposition. “Playing a physical style does not come naturally to me,” Linden said. “I’m most effective when I play that way and I know that’s what got me into the league. Some games, though, I really have to push myself. It’s not an easy thing to do night after night.” Early this season, Linden got away from the gritty style that made him a favorite of Canuck fans as an 18-year-old and led to his being named team captain last season at 22. Management knew it. So did Linden. Vancouver’s leading scorer the past two seasons with 70 and 75 points, respectively, the 23-year-old Linden has had to…
Sutter blasts players, GM for coaching nightmare
Duane Sutter still feels like he has been crosschecked in the teeth. More than a month after being fired as coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Sutter is finally talking about what happened. But that doesn’t mean he’s finding it easy to accept his coaching demise. Sutter inherited a team that was favored to capture the Memorial Cup in 1992-93. The Tigers boasted two first-round NHL picks on the blueline in Mike Rathje and David Cooper, while center Rob Niedermayer was slated as a top-five pick at the 1993 NHL draft. Sutter, however, was in a near impossible situation. The Tigers had to win the championship or else the year would be perceived as a failure. He was fired Jan. 3 with the Tigers last in the East Division with a 13-27-1 record. “It…
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