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November 8, 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.
Schoenfeld shuffle demon
With apologies to Bob Dylan, the lines, they are a changin’. Constantly. Washington Capitals’ coach Jim Schoenfeld believes in today’s NHL, set lines aren’t necessary. He shows off that belief every night the Capitals play, shuffling lines and mixing positions with abandon. “That doesn’t bother (the players), not in today’s game,” Schoenfeld said. “It’s not an up-and-down game anymore. Players are changing lanes all the time.” There are two purposes to what Schoenfeld is doing. One is tactical, using personnel in different spots to thwart an opponent. The second is the never-ending search to find the right mix that will produce a great pair or line. In a recent game, the Caps employed 11 line combinations in the first 8:41 of the opening period and 16 before 20 minutes had passed. Center Michal…
Commissioner McLeod awaiting WCHA audit
Bruce McLeod is one of college hockey’s major power brokers and has been for a decade. The Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner has been chairman of the Division I hockey committee. But legal trouble has left McLeod’s status in the WCHA up in the air. McLeod resigned as athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth in August during an internal audit of questionable practices within his department. After the audit was released, he was charged with three felony counts of theft for filtering $6,000 in UMD finances through his personal account in September, 1993. In all, McLeod repaid more than $18,000 to the university for monies similarly used; the statute of limitations expired on other checks. McLeod. 49, signed an agreement with prosecutors Oct. 17 stating all charges will be dismissed if he commits no other crime…
Milbury tees off on players
Since last January, GM Mike Milbury has stripped the New York Islanders of most of their veterans, reduced the payroll to a bare-bones $15 million and begun rebuilding with youth. So it’s interesting that in the first three weeks of the regular season, coach Mike Milbury reverted to the harsh, confrontational style he used with the Boston Bruins from 1989-91. Milbury was a veritable lamb last year as the team bottomed out with a 22-50-10 record in his first season behind the bench. But when it stumbled out of the gate 1-4-2, Milbury got in his players’ faces. Milbury brought a dictionary onto the ice at practice to read definitions of 19 words: team, commitment, communication, compete, consistency, desperation, discipline, fear, focus, hustle, insecure, intensity, motivation, pain, react, ready, resilient, sacrifice, support. Then…
Hodson odd goalie out in crowded Wing crease
Goalie Kevin Hodson is playing his role, but he’s not exactly sure what that is. Hodson, who wasn’t scheduled to get his first start of the season until Oct. 25, was serving most of his time as a spectator for the Detroit Red Wings, either from the bench or the press box. “I’m just biding my time,” said Hodson, 24. “I expected this. I’ve seen the way the team has started the season and I know they want a good start. “It was like this my first year at Adirondack. I sat the first month. But I kept working hard and tried to stay positive. The guys here have been really good, too. They treat you like you’re part of everything. But I understand that right now it’s important for us to start…
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