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January 17, 1997
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.
Star skills loses thrills
The NHL’s skills competition has been compromised. This isn’t a scandal over dull skates, the return of illegal goalie equipment or cracked stick shafts. About the only group of people being shafted, so to speak, is the public. The playing field for the skills competition has been altered thanks to a pact between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association which stipulates only those who play in the All-Star Game can compete in the skills competition. That’s just fine for the rapid shooting, shot accuracy or relay course competitions. But who cares about those? People are interested in the hardest shot and fastest skater events. That means Dave Manson and Mike Gartner of the Phoenix Coyotes, who weren’t named to the Western Conference team for the All-Star Game, won’t be back to defend the…
Another bad break for Arnott
Over in the comer of the Edmonton Oilers’ dressing room was center Doug Weight, lacing them up for his 297th consecutive game, second longest active streak in the NHL. Kitty comer sat right winger Kelly Buchberger, just 40 games behind. Center Jason Arnott could only look at them with envy, his left ankle in a protective cast, surgery and a long rehabilitation to come-he’s expected to be out until at least late-January. “Worst luck ever,” he said, two days after learning he would need to have two screws inserted to mend the ankle, broken by teammate Boris Mironov’s slapshot during the second period of a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 27. “Doc says (surgery is) probably the best thing to do and will get me back the earliest with no side effects or…
Kings tonic for what ails opposition
Your team on a losing streak? Your players in scoring slumps? Relief may be in sight if the Los Angeles Kings are coming up on your schedule. Playing the Kings has been a cure for many flailing teams and slumping scorers lately. The St. Louis Blues had a five-game losing streak when the Kings came to visit Dec. 22. Quicker than Santa scurrying down the chimney, the Kings presented them with a 7-4 victory. The Vancouver Canucks had won only two of their previous 10 games before defeating the Kings 4-3 Jan. 2 at Vancouver. Right winger Pavel Bure, who had only two goals in 16 games before facing the Kings, scored twice. Left winger Alexander Mogilny, who had scored only one goal in his previous 14 games, also scored against Stephane…
Gophers doing their part for American Jr. squads
When the spirit of Christmas moves Minnesota coach Doug Woog, the U.S. junior national team is often the beneficiary. During Woog’s 12 seasons with the Gophers, his program has supplied American entries at the World Junior Championship with more players than any other Western Collegiate Hockey Association team. There are obvious reasons-Minnesota is the only league team with a roster of all American-born players and most of its players come directly from high schools and are not yet 20. But there’s little question the Gophers also attract great talent and USA Hockey appreciates getting their players. “The experience they gain is invaluable,” Woog said. “But to be honest, sometimes it handicaps us. We lose some key guys for some important games. Hopefully, the payoff is they are better for the experience and that…
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