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January 12, 1996
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.
Improving team on target to reach post-season goal
Like their new arena slaed to open in October, 1996, the Tampa Bay Lightning is right on schedule. After slipping in 1994-95, the Lightning was on pace for an 8O-point season, which would be the best in franchise history. It would also put the team in playoff contention, a sign it has arrived in its fourth year of existence. Strength With Daren Puppa and now Jeff Reese, goaltending continued to be the Lightning’s strong suit. The team also received exceptional play from its special teams, most notably the power play, which surprisingly ranked among the league leaders all season. What they need Goal scoring and defensive depth. The surprising proficiency of the power play masked the fact the Lightning was still scoring fewer than three goals a game. The Lightning was all right…
Raider roars to top of ’96 draft class
The light has finally turned Green. Chris Phillips and Alexandre Volchkov are considered the two best teenage NHL prospects in North America, but scouts are anxious to get a good look at Josh Green. The Medicine Hat Tigers’ left winger got off to a late start after shoulder surgery and isn’t ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in its first preliminary ranking of the season. Green had six goals and 13 points in 11 Western League games and will challenge for a place among the top prospects by season’s end. Catching up to Phillips, a huge two-way defenseman with the Prince Albert Raiders, and Volchkov, an offensive dynamo with the Barrie Colts, is unlikely. They are ranked tops among draft-eligible skaters in the Western and Ontario Leagues, respectively, by CSB. Prospects are ranked by…
Even a first-round playoff loss would look good now
This is uncharted territory for the Calgary Flames, a team that only missed the playoffs once in more than 20 years and won regular-season division titles in five of the past eight. The Flames were on pace to win fewer than 20 games this season, which would be an all-time low for the franchise. Slowly, the realization is setting in-the bottom fell out on the franchise in the summer of 1995 and now the Flames must embark on a serious rebuilding phase. Strength Theoren Fleury is consistently above a point a game when he’s healthy. Fleury got off to a slow start in terms of goals with just four in 18 games, but rebounded with nine in his next 18. What they need At least two front-line scorers. Left winger Gary Roberts, if he…
SPOTLIGHT ON: ANDREW CASSELS
Team: Hartford Whalers Position: Center Shoots: Left Height: 6 feet Weight: 192 pounds Bom: Bramalea, Ont., July 23,1969. Career statistics, to end of 1994-95: 63 goals, 185 assists, 248 points in 336 games Best season: 1992-93 (21 goals, 64 assists, 85 points in I 84 games) How acquired: Trade from Montreal for Hartford’s second-round pick in 1992 entry draft Car: Summer, 1995 Porsche 911. Winter, ’95 GMC Jimmy Favorite movie: Nine Months: “I thought Tom Arnold stole the show.” Reading: John Grisham - novels, People magazine. Great night off: Quiet evening at home with wife Tracey and baby son Cole Running shoes: Old pair of Reeboks, Nikes Jeans: “Whatever my wife buys me.” Favorite meal: Meatloaf, chicken parmesan, pork chops? Hobbies: “I love to play golf in the summer…but now I’m trying to fish a little bit.” Home: Just north of Marmora, Ont., on Crowe Lake…
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