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April 25, 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.
A dangerous Ranger
There was a time when Brian Leetch wasn’t a playoff game breaker with an insatiable desire to be the difference. It was a long, long time ago. “I used to play up a year in youth hockey,” the New York Rangers’ defenseman said. “I was a quiet kid. If I was a squirt playing peewee or a peewee playing bantam I would just sit back and kind of observe everything that was going on. I did my best, but I didn’t really feel it was my place to step forward and take charge.” Leetch, 29, is no longer a quiet kid. Now, he’s a quiet man-except, of course, when there’s a Stanley Cup playoff game on the line. Then, it is time for him to step forward. And no one makes second-season noise…
Feisty Bassen battles back after overcoming setbacks
Bob Bassen has always had a strong faith-in God, in his beliefs and in his playing ability. So it’s no surprise the feisty center has come back from injuries in the past two seasons to become an important part of the Dallas Stars’ success this year. While it may not be surprising, don’t think for a minute it was easy. Bassen had two significant injuries in his first two seasons with Dallas. During his first training camp, he wrenched a knee and had to have major surgery that kept him out for all but 12 games. By the time he returned, the Stars were, for all intents, eliminated from the playoffs. So he worked hard over the summer, came to training camp in shape and was one of the team’s best pre-season performers-until…
Primeaus blood brothers after regrettable battle
He doesn’t have a ‘C’ or ‘A’ on his sweater, but down the stretch, center Keith Primeau was the unabashed leader of the Hartford Whalers. He scored big goals. He dished out big hits. And he was even willing to drop the gloves and fight a loved one if that’s what it took to win. Late in the second period of a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres April 7, goalie Sean Burke was run by a Sabre. Primeau sped into the fray and grabbed the player and pulled him to the side. It was Primeau’s younger brother, Wayne, who swept in and tried to jam in a rebound. The two men skated out by the faceoff circle, dropped the gloves and a fight ensued. Although there weren’t a lot of major blows…
Moreau gets rave reviews from Hawks
Ethan Moreau won’t win the Calder Trophy, but that doesn’t lessen what the Chicago Blackhawks think of their rookie left winger. Moreau’s 15 goals were fourth on the team and he was growing more every day into the role of power forward. Down the stretch as the Hawks were fighting to make the playoffs, the 21-year-old Moreau had five goals in an 11-game stretch. “He’s getting better and better as the season goes on,” said coach Craig Hartsburg. “He’s a steady player, strong along the boards and he goes to the net. He’s there night after night and his confidence is growing.” Hawks’ captain Chris Chelios calls Moreau a “young Bob Gainey,” the Hall of Famer with whom Chelios played on the Montreal Canadiens. “Ethan is exactly like Gainey,” Chelios said. “Those wrist shots…
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