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December 2, 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.
INSIDE HOCKEY
Michael Barnett has worked hard on Wayne Gretzky’s proposed European tour, but the Great One’s agent says he’d be happy if the project disappeared into thin air. If the NHL lockout ends anytime soon, the Euro tour would be scrapped. “We’d prefer to see an agreement,” Barnett said. “This tour is far less important than what it stands for-namely the game of hockey revolves around the players, not owners-and was never intended to put pressure on NHL owners.” Barnett says no firm dates for games have been set, but at least 16 teams have enquired about playing the NHLers. He estimates the tour will consist of five or six games. Preliminary plans call for a send-off game which would likely be played Dec. 1 in Detroit. Barnett says television deals on both sides of…
FEATURE
Sweet vindication? “No way,” said Brian O’Neill, who was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame Nov. 15 in the builders’ category. “I’m not a vindictive person. That doesn’t mean I’m not thrilled to be in the Hall.” O’Neill, who joined the NHL in 1961 as the league’s director of administration, left under difficult circumstances in 1992. The 65-year-old O’Neill was pushed out the door and had an earlier bid for induction into the Hall halted by then-NHL president Gil Stein, but handled both situations quietly and with class. “There was already so much being said about it, I didn’t need to fuel the fire,” said O’Neill, who handled NHL discipline beginning in 1977. “(Stein’s) the one who suffered the most, not me. I’m in the Hall; he’s not.” An independent investigation concluded Stein…
Redskin senior Thuss not one to make fuss
If college hockey gave an award to its most patient player, it would have to go to Miami University senior goalie Chuck Thuss. For three seasons, Thuss saw action only in practice and junior varsity games. But this year, the Arkona, Ont. native led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association was 3-0-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and.905 save percentage. He had the inside track on the Redskins’ No. 1 netmindingjob. “Chuck never played a game until this season,” said Miami coach Mark Mazzoleni. “He sat patiently and worked hard waiting for three years. A lot of kids on our team respect that.” Thuss, who came to Miami in 1991 as a walk-on, was buried behind Richard Shulmis-tra, now graduated, and junior Kevin Deschambeault. Somehow he managed to maintain his edge since leaving the…
Major markets hike minor-pro attendance totals
The International League’s big-city experiment has been a box-office hit. First-year teams Detroit Vipers, Chicago Wolves, Denver Grizzlies and Houston Aeros rank one through four in minor pro attendance. All have averaged more fans per game this season than the Hartford Whalers and Ottawa Senators averaged last season. Detroit leads the way with a 13,792 per-game average, including two sellouts, at the 20,182-seat Palace of Auburn Hills. And despite what you’d think. Vipers’ executive John Ciszewski said the average would be better if not for the NHL lockout. “NHL games would help us,” Ciszewski said. “Hockey would start getting positive coverage. And because the Detroit Red Wings are sold out anyway, more people would come to Vipers’ games.” Attendance has increased in the absence of NHL action. But it is interesting to note eight…
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