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April 26, 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.


World Cup playground for nationalistic NHLers
The level of NHL participation at the 1996 World Cupwill be high. Preliminary rosters of NHL players representing the six European countries provide a good indication. The list of NHLers invited to play for Russia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and Germany was published by the Toronto Sun. Final rosters must be submitted 24 hours before a team’s first game. The tournament runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 14. Russia (22 NHLers) Goalies Mikhail Shtalenkov (Anaheim); Nikolai Khabibulin (Winnipeg); Andrei Trefilov (Buffalo). Defensemen Slava Fetisov (Detroit); Darius Kasparaitis (Islanders); Vladimir Konstantinov (Detroit); Boris Mironov (Edmonton); Dimitri Yushkevich (Toronto); Alexei Zhitnik (Buffalo); Sergei Zubov (Pittsburgh). Forwards Pavel Bure (Vancouver); Sergei Fedorov (Detroit); Valeri Kamensky (Colorado); Alexei Kovalev (Rangers); Viacheslav Kozlov (Detroit); Igor Larionov (Detroit); Alexander Mogilny (Vancouver); Sergei Nemchinov (Rangers); Andrei Nikolishin (Hartford);…


Boston’s saving grace
There was no way it could have been the work of just one man. The Boston Bruins’ 12-2-3 streak from March 7 to April 11, which assured them a playoff spot that seemed unlikely two months earlier, was built on many contributions from many players. Looked at another way, however, Boston’s strongest hockey of the season could have been sabotaged by an ineffective goalie. It seemed from October right through mid-February that the Bruins might never play with enough consistency to straighten themselves out, but they prepared for the possibility on Jan. 11. Concerned by the failure of Blaine Lacher and Craig Billington to nail down the No. 1 goaltender’s job, Boston swallowed hard, traded Mariusz Czerkawski, 1995 first-round pick Sean Brown and its first-round pick this year to the Edmonton Oilers…


Maxwell gets one-year ban in referee row
Barring a successful appeal, Bryan Maxwell will not coach in the Western League next season. WHL commissioner Dev Dley announced April 9 that the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ coach received a one-year suspension for his part in a dispute which followed a March 23 playoff game against the Regina Pats. In his dual role as the Hurricanes’ director of hockey operations, Maxwell will not be able to attend Lethbridge games until Feb. 1. The league also fined Maxwell $1,000. Tempers flared after Regina won 6-5 in Lethbridge. Maxwell was angry with referee Brent Reiber. There was an incident involving Maxwell, Reiber, assistant coach Reid Williams and some Hurricanes’ players under the stands. “Any time there’s an altercation between an official and a member of the WHL, it will be treated seriously,” Dley said. Maxwell was charged April…


Sports marketing whiz being courted by Kings
Confronted with a dwindling fan base and sizable rebuilding task off the ice, the Los Angeles Kings are trying to hire Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Skiing. The Kings averaged 13,551 in 41 home games this season, well off the average of 15,398 during the lockout-shortened season in 1995. It is their lowest average since the 11,667 of 1987-88, the last season before Wayne Gretzky. Leiweke, 38, has been working for U.S. Skiing for about eight months, yet had been courted by several pro franchises in recent months. One source close to the situation believes he will take the high-profile job with the Kings if it is offered. A new job would probably be similar to his current position, but those involved in the Kings’ organization made it clear…