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August 1, 1995
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.
Lockout didn’t stop the news
The 1994-95 season may have been a short one, but it certainly wasn’t uneventful. Here is a chronology of the year that was. St. Louis, July 4: St. Louis Blues acquire defenseman Al Maclnnis from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Phil Housley and draft choices; sign free agent defenseman Scott Stevens of New Jersey Devils to offer sheet worth $17 million over four years. Quebec, July 6: Quebec Nordiques name Marc Crawford coach. Philadelphia, July 6: Philadelphia Flyers sign free agent Craig MacTavish. Toronto, July 9: NHL dismisses referees Ron Hoggarth, Denis Morel; linesmen Jerry Pateman, Mark Pare and Ryan Bozak and trainee referees Rob Martel and Don Adam. Miami, July 14: Florida Panthers’ goalie Mark Fitzpatrick arrested after pregnant wife tells authorities he kicked, grabbed and shoved her during argument. Chicago, July 14: Chicago Blackhawks…
Let’s hope for bigger, better things in 1995-96
SEASON IN REVIEW ’94-95 The axiom that less is more failed practical application tests on multiple levels in 1995: Fewer games The 48-game lockout-induced schedule was supposed to make each contest more meaningful and, by extension, more exciting. What it did was increase the importance of suffocating defensive systems and decrease wide-open play. The goals-per-game average, already in decline entering the campaign, swooned to Original Six levels. If that’s old-time hockey, it’s time to get back to the future. Fewer dollars While people were drawing parallels to a bygone era with the 48-game schedule, the most significant parallel at season’s end was the 49th—the latitudinal line that separates Canada from the United States. Small-market, low-revenue teams in Winnipeg and Quebec were courted by their American cousins. One left for (much) greener pastures. The…
McMaster labels Berg a franchise defenseman
How jarring are the checks thrown by defenseman Aki-Petteri Berg, the third-overall draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings? “He kills people,” Vaclav Nedomansky, the team’s chief European scout, said of Berg, a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder who played for Kiekko-67 and TPS-Turku in Finland. Berg, who does not speak English, said through an interpreter, “(I’m) not trying to kill, but stuff happens.” Kings’ GM Sam McMaster was giddy over the selection of Berg. McMaster labeled him the top player in the draft and the “best, young defenseman to come out of Europe ever, a franchise defenseman.” He went on to say Berg, 18, can hit like Scott Stevens and skate like Paul Coffey. Not a bad combination, if the assessment is accurate. Shortly after taking Berg, McMaster traded next year’s first- and fourth-round draft picks to…
A prized prospect
EDMONTON—The real battleground in Bryan Berard’s life is the family fridge. His parents keep putting up evidence of the teenage hockey sensation’s accomplishments on the icebox and Berard keeps taking it down. The struggle for control of their Woonsocket, R.I., home spread to the kitchen counter after the Detroit Jr. Red Wings’ defenseman was named Canadian Hockey League rookie of the year and Ontario League top defenseman. Pam Berard, Bryan’s mother, put the trophies on display. Bryan put them in the basement. “He’s such an animal on the ice,” Pam says, “and off the ice he’s very shy and quiet.” Understand Pam means that in only the best sense…and NHL scouts couldn’t agree more. They say Berard plays with the courage of a lion, relentlessness of a rhino and cunning of a fox. The…
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