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September 13, 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.
Konstantinov still hopeful
Wishful thinking may not be enough for Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov. Though the rugged blueliner is holding out hope his severed and surgically repaired Achilles tendon will heal in time for the regular season, the Wings’ medical staff thinks otherwise. He suffered the injury playing tennis in June. “It’s doubtful he’ll be ready,” said Wings’ trainer John Wharton. “He’s a bit ahead of schedule, but we don’t really know what the schedule is. “On the optimistic side, if you’re going to’have that kind of injury, this is the best sport to get it in. The skate acts like a cast to help support the ankle.” Mighty Ducks of Anaheim right winger Teemu Selanne suffered an 80 per cent tear of his Achilles tendon and missed six months. “I think I can start skating…
Hull incites battle with Blue bosses
If the St. Louis Blues couldn’t, or wouldn’t, resign Wayne Gretzky, what do you figure the odds are they can get Brett Hull to be quiet? Word on the street is that the Blues demanded/pleaded for St. Louis’ arch-enemy of silence to cease and desist on pointed criticism of the Blues’ organization in the wake of its decision to let No. 99 make his way to Broadway. We’ll believe it when we hear it. Nothing, that is. The ubiquitous Hull was in fine form during Team USA’s pre-toumament preparations for the World Cup. The travelling hockey road show started in Vancouver, worked its way south to San Jose, then to Detroit and finally Providence, R.I. Of Brett rarely missed an opportunity on the Cross Continent Critique to zing the Blues’ hierarchy of president…
Tragedy strikes Blades again as defenseman Batters killed
Tragedy continues to haunt the Kansas City Blades. For the second time in just over two years, a Blades’ player has been killed in a car accident. Jeff Batters, 25, who played 16 games in two stints with the St. Louis Blues between 1993 and 1995, was killed instantly Aug. 23 when the pickup truck in which he was riding rolled over and crushed him. Sherri Kalan, an 18-year-old from Red Deer, also died at the scene of the accident near Canmore, Alta. Also injured in the accident were Mitch Messier, who was recently acquired by the Utah Grizzlies in a trade with the Fort Wayne Komets, and his brother, Joby. The Messiers were recovering at in a Calgary hospital. Both Messiers, who are cousins of superstar Mark Messier, have NHL experience. Mitch…
NHL stars to have lots of time to play
For a league that doesn’t like to take a break, the NHL will go hiatus-happy with not one, but two shutdowns during the 1997-98 regular season. There will be a four-day, mid-season moratorium, Jan. 1518 inclusive, as Vancouver plays host to the ’98 All-Star Game Jan. 17 at GM Place. Less than three weeks later, the weekend of Feb. 7-8 to be precise, it will be lights out across the league for an unprecedented 17 days as approximately 145 NHLers jet off to Nagano, Japan, for the Winter Olympics. Whoa, pony! Wasn’t Vancouver chosen to host the 1998 All-Star Game precisely because it was the natural jumping-off point for the Far East Winter Olympic sojourn? You know, gather the troops en masse, play a quickie game of allstar shinny to keep the corporate…
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