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August 19, 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.
Stewart selects Saint John over assistant post in NHL
When Bill Stewart left the NHL to play in Europe in the mid-1980s, the idea was to extend his career while seeing the world. He instead saw the light about coaching, deciding he’d like to run the bench when his playing career was over. And by playing for Italy in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympic Games, Stewart was in an unofficial classroom. “I never missed a practice by any of the teams,” Stewart said. “The Swedes, the Finns, the Czechs, the Russians, I watched them all. The way they trained, the different philosophies on how the game should be played. I took the good ideas and threw out the bad ones. For the past two years, Stewart put them to use in the Colonial and 0 tario Leagues and this season he’ use…
Isles go on as Pickett back in control
Despite the New York Islanders’ muddled ownership situation, GM Mike Milbury adopted a business-as-usual approach in signing unrestricted free agents Mike Hough and Sergei Nemchinov and courting Gary Roberts. On July 10, the NHL negated the Islanders’ $165-million transfer of ownership, which the league had approved Feb. 24, because businessman John Spano defaulted on a $16.8-million payment to John O. Pickett. The club reverted to Pickett, pending resolution of other issues between Pickett and FleetBank, which lent Spano $80 million to purchase the team. If those issues are not settled by July 25, the matter is to go to arbitration before commissioner Gary Bettman July 28. Spano was barred in mid-June from having contact with the team. Its day-to-day operations were being run by Milbury and club general counsel Bill Skehan. Pickett…
Hitmen sell out to Flames after two tumultuous years
Chuck Matson spent his final days as the Calgary Hitmen’s vice-president reflecting on the team’s first two Western League seasons. The Hitmen have been sold to the NHL’s Calgary Flames, who were expected to formally assume control of the franchise in mid-July. “It breaks my heart to sell it,” Matson said. “Not only will I miss it, but my family will miss it, too. My wife and three daughters had never seen a hockey game until the Calgary Hitmen came along. They’ve absolutely fallen in love with the game.” Details of the sale are not disclosed due to an agreement between the Flames and the 18 members of the previous ownership group. The most prominent owners were NHLers Theoren Fleury and Joe Sakic, along with World Wrestling Federation star Bret’Hitman’Hart. Former Hitmen coach-GM Graham…
MVP Ross likes the look of Europe over Chesapeake
For two seasons, Mike Ross has been one of the South Carolina Stingrays’ biggest stars, leading them in scoring and playing a key role in their run to the 1997 Kelly Cup title. But don’t look for the center in the Stingrays’ red, white and blue uniforms next season. The 27-year-old was picked up by the Chesapeake Icebreakers in the East Coast League expansion draft June 26. “The decision not to protect Mike stemmed from a conversation we had,” said South Carolina coach Rick Vaive. “Mike would like to play in Europe next season. He has already won just about every award in this league. It’s a good time for him to capitalize on that overseas.” Ross tied teammate Ed Courtenay for the league lead with 110 points (but officially finished second because of…
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