Hawerchuk gets jump by walking out of camp

His brethren in the NHL Players’ Association may be locked out, but not Dale Hawerchuk. He’s suspended. The veteran center jumped the gun on commissioner Gary Bettman and the Buffalo Sabres, walking out of camp in a contract dispute just hours before the rest of the players were told the start of the season had been postponed. The issue is money. “I said before camp that I wasn’t going to report because I felt my deal had been reneged on,” Hawerchuk said. “Gerry (Sabres’ executive vice president Meehan) said ‘Look, if you sit out we’re not going to negotiate. If you get in, we’ll get it done by the end of camp.’” Hawerchuk, who came to camp entering his option year, claims his contract has been violated by Bettman because he suspended the arbitration…

Matvichuk out until 1995-96

The promising career of Dallas Stars’ defenseman Richard Matvichuk is on hold. Matvichuk tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sept. 25 in a pre-season game with the Edmonton Oilers at Reunion Arena. He is expected to be out six to eight months and coach-general manager Bob Gainey said he feels more comfortable putting Matvichuk on the shelf until next September. “I’d look at having a 12-month period where he has to get himself here on the first of September next year in great shape,” Gainey said. “I think we have to overcome the medical problems, then we’ll have a hockey player we can work with.” The injury comes at a time when the 21-year-old Matvichuk seemed ready to make a giant step. He was rushed into the lineup in 1992-93…

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Deadmarsh no deadbeat in camp as rookie signs three-year deal

Hockey players haven’t had much to celebrate, but Adam Deadmarsh is an exception. The Quebec Nordiques’ second first-round selection in the 1993 draft impressed the team so much that he was signed to a three-year contract worth $2.1 million. Even though Deadmarsh showed up to camp at his own expense and was without a contract,”it’s probably the best move I’ve ever made. “How can you prove yourself by staying at home and practising with your junior team?” he said. “I felt ready for it. And look at what has happened. It’s really great to make the NHL when you’re only 19.” The Nordiques were likely to send Deadmarsh back to the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western League for the duration of the labor dispute. But once it ends, the rugged right winger will…