Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
December 20, 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.
Road to ‘The Joe’ not so bumpy as Wings stumble on home ice
Joe Louis Arena was a fearful place for the opposition last season when the Detroit Red Wings lost just three games at home. This season, the confines are a little more friendly to foes. After 15 home games, the Wings were 9-4-2. “We want to win all our home games,” said left winger Brendan Shanahan, who rescued a home ice tie with the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 3 by scoring with three minutes left in the third period. “We want to make this a difficult place for teams to come into.” Shanahan, who played in less intense hockey markets (New Jersey, St. Louis and Hartford) before coming to Detroit this season, said opponents are revved up when they visit the Motor City. “It’s different here than other places I’ve been,” he said. “We never seem…
Chelios can finish career in Chicago
A love for his hometown and its team were the central reasons behind Chris Chelios signing a contract extension that should make him a Chicago Blackhawk for the rest of his career. By agreeing to a three-year, $11.5million deal Dec. 5, Chelios passed up a chance to be an unrestricted free agent following his option year in 1997-98. The extension kicks in next season. At that time, Chelios, 34, is expected to be the NHL’s second-highest paid defenseman behind New Jersey Devil Scott Stevens ($4.31 million). Chelios will make $3.5 million in each year of the contract that ties him up through the year 2000. He’ll also receive a $1-million signing bonus in the third year of the deal. “To me, that’s not what it’s all about, to be paid the most,” Chelios…
Carbonneau contributes
After 16 years in the NHL, Guy Carbonneau knows how to keep score-and he didn’t like the numbers he was seeing this summer. At 36, Carbonneau looked like an outsider on the Dallas Stars. Bob Bassen was expected to return from knee surgery. Todd Harvey was scheduled to move to center. Room had to be cleared in the forward ranks for newcomers Pat Verbeek, Dave Reid and Jamie Langenbrunner. Carbonneau half expected a trade in the summer and went through a tense time when he was left unprotected in the waiver draft. Through it all, the veteran center remained a Star-and now the team couldn’t be more thankful. With Bassen out because of a neck injury and Harvey battling various hurts, Carbonneau played in 24 of the team’s first 26 games and was…
Central League gives new meaning to busy schedule
Eat, sleep and play hockey. That’s what life is like at times for Central League teams this season. The Memphis RiverKings played four games during a four-night stretch and will play back-to-back-to-back games six times this season. The Fort Worth Fire has a stretch in which it plays five games in six nights and seven games in nine days. The Nashville Nighthawks play on three consecutive nights 10 times this season and seven games in a 10-night stretch. The numerous back-to-back dates easily have been the biggest-and most controversial-feature of the CHL schedule, the first season in which 10 teams have played. “Sometimes it seems like all we’re doing is eating, sleeping and playing hockey,” said RiverKings’ forward Doug Stromback. There are several reasons for the tough schedule. Since four expansion teams were added in…
Made possible with the support of
