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October 11, 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.
‘Rat guy’ out to do it again
In retrospect, mused Scott Mellanby recently, “I have nothing but great memories of what happened.” In the Florida Panthers’ storybook season of a year ago, Mellanby not only played a major role in the Panthers getting to the Stanley Cup final, but started the most innovative, if not unusual, craze in professional sports. While there was hardly a soul in South Florida who didn’t know about Mellanby’s rat trick by the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs, his accomplishments on the ice at times seemed to get buried under the piles of toy rodents that rained on the Miami Arena ice after every goal. Not only did Mellanby reach career highs in goals (32) and points (70) and play in the All-Star Game, he helped the Panthers to a quick start with 23…
Edmonton welcomes Lowe back to where it all began
Sure he’s old, but he’s new again, too. Kevin Lowe, the classiest Edmonton Oiler of them all, their first NHL draft pick back in 1979, has come home. Four years and one more Stanley Cup after he’d been dealt out of town, the 37-year-old returned with pride and pleasure, ready to help the Oilers reach the playoffs, something he has done for every one of his 17 NHL seasons, something they haven’t done in his four-year absence. “I think I had to get it clear in my mind what I really wanted to do. I felt something pulling me here,” said Lowe, who made the decision with his heart, not his wallet. After turning down a $500,000 (U.S.) offer from the New York Rangers and $600,000 (U.S.) to play for the Calgary Flames, he…
Who will be chosen best player of all?
A never-before-seen quadruple jump could be finished off in the NHL this season. Wayne Gretzky has already completed a hop, skip and jump into the league record book. Next comes the final stage of a leap into hockey history. No. 99 has scored more NHL goals, assists and points than any player, eclipsing Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, in all three categories. Next is the most unlikely achievement of all. With 76 assists this season, the greatest playmaker ever will have recorded more assists (1,847) than anyone else has points. It will rank among the most astonishing of all his accomplishments and denote one more statistical reason why many people believe Wayne Gretzky is the finest hockey player in the history of the NHL. Hockey fans have argued for years over who deserves…
Grizzlies roar
The Utah Grizzlies did not go into the Turner Cup playoffs last season the way most coaches like to begin the post-season. Oh, sure, Utah won its last two regular season games in impressive style, but the 10 before that were unmitigated disasters. The Grizzlies lost eight in a row, scoring just 13 goals in that span, and dropped nine of 10. In that 1-9-0 span. Utah was outscored 34-21. But coach Butch Goring hardly batted an eye. “We made a lot of changes at the (trading) deadline and I knew it was going to take a while to get everyone together,” Goring said. And after his team won the Turner Cup, Goring carried a knowing look on his face. Winning back-to-back Turner Cups and posting the league’s best regular season record twice in…
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