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February 4, 1994
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.
Young and restless goalie just looking out for No. 2
This was not how Mark Fitzpatrick pictured it. Playing for an expansion team was supposed to be about increased opportunity, a chance to show he’s a first-rate goalie. But while Florida has been the land of opportunity for most Panthers, Fitzpatrick found himself buried behind all-star John Vanbies-brouck. Fitzpatrick wondered if he would have been better off playing for an established team. At least then he might be playing. “It has been very frustrating and disappointing,” Fitzpatrick said. So disappointing Fitzpatrick asked to meet with coach Roger Neilson after starting only eight of 34 games. Fitzpatrick didn’t like what he heard. Neilson told Fitzpatrick he was going to stay with Vanbiesbrouck as long as he was playing well and Fitzpatrick would have to accept playing once every two weeks. Moreover, Neilson said he didn’t see…
Men in blue will use something old, new
The hockey world will get a glimpse of the NHL’s past and future when Sweden takes to the ice for the 1994 Winter Olympics. And it is just that mix that the Swedes hope will end a frustrating drought for their country in Olympic competition. Despite recent success in the World Championships-with gold medals in 1986, ’91 and ’92-Sweden has never won Olympic gold and is coming on an embarrassing fifth-place finish at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. The Swedes once again enter the Olympics as a solid contender for the gold medal because of their superior personnel. The veterans include left winger Mats Naslund, 33, right winger Hakan Loob, 34 and 34-year-old defenseman Tomas Jonsson. Among them, they have won four Stanley Cups and amassed more than 1,500 games…
Players feel effects of quake as families go through ordeal
Wayne Gretzky’s phone rang about 8 a.m. Jan. 17 in Philadelphia-and it wasn’t his wakeup call. Teammate Luc Robitaille called Gretzky to tell him that a magnitude 6.6 earthquake-the strongest in modem Los Angeles history-hit their homes within the previous half hour. Both players, as well as Jari Kurri and Dave Taylor, have homes close to the Northridge epicenter in the San Fernando Valley. Taylor, who was recovering from a concussion, did not travel with the team and went through the earthquake. Gretzky and his teammates couldn’t get through to their families at first. Then Gretzky’s wife, Janet, called from their phone in the car. “My wife was shook up,” Gretzky said. “The house and the furniture is ruined inside. The fireplace separated from the wall and there’s big hole in the kitchen floor.…
Players hope long break cure for mid-term slump
No team had a longer all-star break than the Chicago Blackhawks and no team needed it more. The Hawks limped into their eight-day break losers in seven of their last 11 games. Things were coming apart at the seams in many areas: □ The offense scored two goals or fewer in 13 of 17 games (6-9-2). □ The defense surrendered four or more goals in seven of 10 games. □ And on special teams, the power play was in a 5-for-44 funk. “It looks like we started our all-star break a few weeks ago,” said Chris Chelios. “Every guy has got to play better. We’re all horrible, every single one of us. There’s no emotion.” The Hawks lost four of five games on home ice prior to the break. The pattern was familiar in each game:…
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