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September 1, 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.


Hextall signs on for ‘life’
Sometimes all it takes is a dose of reality to reach a compromise, as Ron Hextall and the Philadelphia Flyers found out Aug. 15. Reality came in the form of arbitrator Richard McLaren’s office in Toronto, where the two parties were scheduled to meet for a hearing about a new contract for the veteran goaltender. But when it became apparent this was going to be a gamble and someone was going to lose, Flyers’ GM Bob Clarke and Hextall’s agent, Steve Mountain, came to an 11th-hour agreement. Hextall received a three-year contract worth a total of $6.9 million. He will earn $2.2 million in 1996-97, $2.3 million in 1997-98 and $2.4 million in 1998-99. There are several incentive clauses in the deal that could drive it over $7 million. Hextall, 32, said all along…


Rats! Tradition comes to end
The Reign of the Rat has ended. NHL GMs wrapped up their midsummer meetings in Anaheim Aug. 12 by agreeing on a measure to curb the throwing of objects on the ice. Referees can assess a two-minute delay of game penalty to the home team should fans, after a warning issued over the public address system, refuse to stop throwing things on the ice. The rale is expected to go into effect after being rubber stamped by the board of governors in September. During the Florida Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup final last year, Miami Arena fans showered the ice with toy rats whenever their club scored a big goal. The practice led to countless delays. Hockey fans in Detroit will also be prevented from throwing octopi on the ice, a playoff tradition…


All eyes on Shanahan
The Hartford Whalers have quietly gone about their off-season business, but the rest of the league continues to chum over the status of the team’s captain and star, Brendan Shanahan. During a World Cup media day at Madison Square Garden Aug. 8, Shanahan said, “I’m still a member of Hartford and I read the paper. Today in Toronto, they had me going to Detroit. On draft day, I was going to Washington. So you deal with rumors a lot in your career. But you try to simplify it and take all the uncertainties and try to keep them out of your mind.” Whalers’ president-GM Jim Rutherford said he has “a good rapport, a good line of communication” with Shanahan. During the first week of August, the two talked at length. Neither would…


Evo resigns as top Wing
Less than one year after taking on a job as president of the Detroit Red Wings, Bill Evo resigned July 23. Evo, a former attorney and player agent, took the job last Sept. 5 and by all appearances was anxious for the opportunity to handle the business operations of the marketing and hockey portions of the club. Highly qualified for the position with his legal and hockey back-grounds, Evo was considered a rising management star by team owner Mike Hitch. No reason for Evo’s sudden resignation was explained in the news release put out by the team, and Evo merely said the situation wasn’t working out. “It wasn’t meeting my expectations and I will pursue other professional opportunities,” Evo, 42, said. Sources indicated Evo left his post, terminating a five-year contract, because much of the…