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.
September 5, 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.
U.S., Canadian women in fine-tune mode only
Most hockey observers looked at the 1997 World Women’s Championship final as a preview of the gold medal game in the 1998 Winter Olympics. There’s every reason to believe the U.S. and Canada will face off for gold in Nagano and they’ll do it with largely the same personnel they used at the Worlds in Kitchener, Ont. To be sure, there won’t be major changes to either lineup. When asked if he might go to Nagano with exactly the same team that lost in overtime to Canada in March, U.S. coach Ben Smith said, “It’s very possible. When we left the World Championship, I could not say I was disappointed with the personnel. We’re not going to try to re-invent the wheel here.” USA’s quest for gold began with its Women’s Hockey National…
Sharks land MVP goalie
After a month-and-a-half of uncertainty regarding a No. 1 goaltender, the San Jose Sharks resolved the concern in resounding fashion by acquiring Mike Vernon from the Detroit Red Wings. San Jose landed the 1997 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Aug. 18 in exchange for second- and third-round selections in the 1998 and 1999 drafts. The third rounder will become a second if the Sharks reach the playoffs this season and Vernon is the goalie of record for two-thirds of the club’s points. “It’s a major step for the franchise and fills a big hole,” said GM Dean Lombardi. As part of the deal with the Red Wings, the Sharks gave Vernon a new contract worth $8.25 million over three years. The trade was contingent on the re-signing of Vernon, whose pact with Detroit had…
Officials deal allbut done
The NHL and NHL Officials’ Association reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract that runs through 2000-2001. The contract will be presented to the NHLOA membership-26 referees and 34 linesmen-Sept. 10. The last contract, a four-year deal, was reached Dec. 1, 1993 following a strike and 17 days of replacement officials for league games. “We’re pleased to have resolved this without 3 “Ofk Stoppage,” said NHL vice-president Brian BuiiCC. Terry Gregson, president of the NHLOA, said his group is “demonstrating a lot of faith in the NHL.” The top salary for referees remains at $200,000. That rises to $222,000 in the final year of the deal. First-year linesmen will earn $56,000 and those with 23 years service earn $123,500. Those figures rise to $64,000 and $141,000. respectively, in 2000-2001. Officials are paid…
Too good to be true
The most amazing fact to emerge from the story of John Spano is he was able to take control of the New York Islanders in a $165-million transaction by spending other people’s money. U.S. federal prosecutors were reportedly on the verge of offering Spano a plea bargain after his July 23 arrest for wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with his purchase of the team. If Spano forgoes trial, he is expected to serve at least four years in a minimum security prison. As of Aug. 21, he had not been indicted on Long Island. Spano was indicted by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Tex., Aug. 13 on two counts of bank fraud unrelated to the Islanders’ deal after he defaulted on $5 million in business loans. Rather than…
Made possible with the support of
