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November 22, 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.
Player development hot issue in Europe
GENEVA-Jean-Marc Bosman may have never laced up a pair of skates, but European hockey players might want to buy a few tickets to his benefit soccer match this April in Paris. The little-known Belgian soccer player helped dramatically change the landscape of European sports last December when he took his team to court and won what amounted to free agency. In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice abolished transfer fees for non-contract players and banned nationality restrictions for all sports teams within the European Union. Nowhere have the effects of the decision, known as the Bosman Ruling, been felt more than in Europe’s hockey rinks. “The whole of European hockey is skating on thin ice,” said former San Jose Sharks’ coach George Kingston, now coach of the German national team. “The…
Heralded DesRochers living up to expectations
The only thing Patrick DesRochers is missing in his goal crease is a bright red stop sign. The talented Sarnia Sting goalie has had a lot of traffic around his goal area this season, but like a veteran traffic cop, he has had little trouble controlling it. Usually, when a speeding puck flies his way, it comes to a sudden stop. DesRochers, who turned 17 Oct. 27, led the league in goaltending and was vindicating Sarnia’s decision to take him in the first round (eighth overall) of the 1995 OHL midget draft. He was the first goalie selected. The 6-foot-3, 202-pounder had a 9-1-1 record, 2.17 goals-against average, two shutouts and 93.1 save percentage in 11 starts. “When you have a scorer like (Sarnia’s) Trevor Letowski or Joe Thornton in the Sault, you expect…
Champion Blazers picking up where they left off
There they go again. The Oklahoma City Blazers, who set 19 Central League team records last season en route to their first league title, began their assault on more. With an 8-1-1 start, the Blazers set the league record for the fastest start. They were showing they’re the team to beat-again. As usual, they were getting balanced scoring from George Dupont. Joe Burton and Steve Moore. But they were getting help from newcomer Hardy Sauter, coach Doug Sauter’s nephew, who led the Blazers in scoring after 10 games. Six players had at least 10 points for the Blazers. “I was excited about the club and the recruiting we were able to do from Day 1,” said Doug Sauter, whose team played its first 10 games in 14 days. “I had some doubts about…
Oilers high on old guy Kevin Lowe
Kevin Lowe had a game for the ages. Or aged. “That’s a game I’d keep and show my kids,” said Oilers’ defenseman Jeff Norton, marvelling at the sight of Lowe’s sliding pokecheck to break up a 2-on-1, his crushing hit on Martin Gelinas and his nifty charges to the Vancouver Canuck net Nov. 1. “That’s a classic game by a defensive defenseman,” Lowe looked like a kid, make that a twentysomething, against the Canucks in a disappointing 5-4 overtime loss. “When I’m rested and uninjured, I feel like I did 10 years ago,” said Lowe, 37. ‘The problem is, when you get older the injuries start compounding and the fatigue factor sets in. It’s a long season, especially if you want to play the game in a physical manner.” Lowe has always done that.…
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