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September 26, 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.
Fuhr puts load on frame while takino load off mind
Grant Fuhr reported to camo a bit pudgier than last season, but the St. Louis Blues were not alarmed. “It’s early,” said coach Joel Quenneville. “Grant will get himself fit.” Fuhr, 34, weighed in at 201 pounds, seven pounds heavier than his reporting and playing weight of a year ago. At least he didn’t waddle in at 219 pounds as he did two years ago when former coach-GM Mike Keenan sent him home on the fust day of camp. Fuhr’s weight is up because he took most of the summer off, enjoying himself on an extended golf trip. He felt he needed to re-charge his mind and body after two taxing years. During that time, he played more games (152) than he had in any other back-to-back seasons of his 16-year career. Compounding Fuhr’s…
Hull, Orr conspicuous by their absence
Sitting in the stands on the opening night of the Summit Series in 1972. all Bobby Orr could do was grimace with each Russian goal. The hurt in the superstar defenseman’s heart eclipsed the pain in his injured knee. Orr was named to Team Canada, but one of the frequent knee injuries that would ultimately cut short the Boston Bruin legend’s career put him on the sidelines. “1 tried,” Orr recalled. “I practised before we went over (to the Soviet Union), but there’s just no way I could play.” Orr was one of two Canadian superstars missing from action. Bobby Hull, who had signed a $1-million contract to play in the new World Hockey Association, was kept out of the tournament. NHL owners threatened not to honor the contracts of players if WHA…
Lemieux joins legends with quick Hall entry
Mario Lemieux did not sit at home and wait by the phone. That’s just not his style. Early September in Pittsburgh is as good a time as any for a golf game. So the same day his former teammates were opening training camp, Lemieux had to be pulled off a Pittsburgh golf course to be told he had made history. In a move that surprised nobody, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced-Sept. 9 that it had waived the three-year wait and elected Lemieux to the shrine. “I’m really excited obviously to join the Hall of Fame,” Lemieux said. “It’s not something you think about at the start of your career. I’m really proud of my career and to win two Stanley Cups is the ultimate.” The former Penguins superstar, who retired following last season…
Blake backs Taylor moves
Defenseman Rob Blake likes the math Dave Taylor is employing as GM of the Los Angeles Kings. The pick-ups of players such as Luc Robitaille, Garry Galley and Jozef Stumpel have been great, but Blake also likes the addition by subtraction he feels took place when the team traded left winger Dimitri Khristich to the Boston Bruins in a multi-player swap. Khristich was the Kings’ top scorer last season, but was not popular with his teammates. That was never more evident than an incident in which teammate Barry Potomski hit Khristich in the eye with his stick during a practice and no one came to Khristich’s defense. Khristich needed surgery to repair the damage and missed seven games. “We (didn’t get) along well off the ice and that showed up on the ice,”…
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