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March 21, 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.
Pens prepare for life after Mario
Give Pittsburgh Penguins’ GM Craig Patrick credit for making himself the most likely target for the team’s inevitable fall in this spring’s playoffs. If nothing else. Patrick will be right there behind the bench full of players whom he brought together in an attempt to earn the franchise one last hurrah with Mario Lemieux. While you’re at it, also give Patrick credit for taking over a team which has already used up a booster shot from a hot goalie and one which will be without one of its star forwards for up to a month because of a severe groin injury. True to form, the Penguins continue to do things differently. For example, when was the last time a coach was fired with as little acrimony and finger pointing as in Pittsburgh when Patrick…
MLG mishandled lawsuit: Fletcher
After staunchly defending its actions in the face of a sex scandal dating back to the 1970s, Maple Leaf Gardens has backtracked. As Toronto police sifted through about 100 complaints from alleged victims, Toronto Maple Leafs’ president-GM Cliff Fletcher told The Toronto Star: “It should have been handled differently.” Fletcher said the organization should not have been so quick to hand off responsibility of the original complaint three years ago. The Leafs left the Martin Kruze lawsuit in the hands of lawyers and insurance claim adjusters. “You look back on it now and it was a lousy decision,” Fletcher said. Kruze, 34, alleged he had been sexually assaulted by MLG staff-beginning in 1975, when he was 13 years old-over a seven-year period. He launched a $1.75-million lawsuit against the Gardens in 1993 and eventually…
North Dakota, Minnesota share MacNaughton Cup
Every season, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s best regular season team gets to skate around the rink hoisting the MacNaughton Cup. There was more than enough joy this season, because that happened twice. North Dakota celebrated in Grand Forks Feb. 22 after a sweep of Alaska-Anchorage enabled it to clinch a tie for the title. After the Sioux and their fans went crazy, the trophy was sent south in case it was needed again. It was. A week later, Minnesota completed a sweep of Wisconsin and waited eagerly for word from Denver. North Dakota had lost the opening game against Denver and the end the second game was piped into the PA system at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. When Denver won again, the MacNaughton Cup was presented to Gopher players and they took…
Breath of fresh air
Martin Gelinas is not used to getting standing ovations. So when he got one-in a restaurant, no less-it was a little embarrassing. The cause for celebration? Gelinas scoring four goals in a 6-2 win for the Vancouver Canucks over the Phoenix Coyotes Feb. 27. Mario Lemieux scores goals in his sleep. Martin Gelinas works for every one he gets-and the fans appreciate it. “I went out for a meal after the game and when we got into the restaurant, the people inside starting clapping-they gave me a standing ovation,” said the eight-year pro, who doesn’t recall ever scoring four goals in a game, not even when he connected for 63 in 65 games with the Quebec League’s Hull Olympiques in 1987-88. “The next day when I went for my morning coffee, people were coming…
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