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.


December 26, 1997

December 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.

IN THIS ISSUE

WOMEN’S OLYMPIC SCHEDULE

Following is the schedule for women’s hockey at the Nagano Olympics. All times are eastern standard time. Sun. Feb. 8: Sweden vs. Finland (10 p.m. EST, Sat.); Canada vs. Japan (2 a.m.); China vs. USA (6 a.m.). Mon. Feb. 9: Finland vs. Japan (10 p.m., Sun.); USA vs. Sweden (2 a.m.); Canada vs. China (6 a.m.). Wed. Feb. 11: Sweden vs. Canada (10 p.m. Tues.); Japan vs. China (2 a.m.); USA vs. Finland (6 a.m.). Thurs. Feb. 12: China vs. Sweden (10 p.m., Wed.); USA vs. Japan (2 a.m.); Finland vs. Canada (6 a.m.). Sat. Feb. 14: Japan vs. Sweden (10 p.m., Fri.); Finland vs. China (2 a.m.); Canada vs. USA (6 a.m.). Tues. Feb. 17: Bronze medal game (12 midnight, Mon.); Gold medal game (4 a.m.).…

LEAGUES

Banham bounces back from stomach surgery

When he completed his final season of junior hockey in 1995-96, Frank Banham figured he had a very bright future with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He had scored a Western League-best 83 goals for the Saskatoon Blades and showed great promise playing for the American League’s Baltimore Bandits that spring in the playoffs. If only that nagging pain in his lower abdomen would go away. Except it wouldn’t. Banham was bothered by the pain when he skated hard, even when he shot the puck. By the time he joined Baltimore in the spring, the persistent pain intensified. “There were times when I couldn’t even lift my leg over the boards, I’d have to sort of use my hand to lift it,” Banham said. “I just figured it would go away.” It did go…

DEPARTMENTS

SCOREBOARD

LEAGUES

Independent Mavericks arrive with guns blazing

The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks are joining the college hockey scene with all the subtlety of a neutron bomb. In their first season, the Mavericks will draw the second-most fans in the nation. With 8,314 packing the Omaha Civic Auditorium for every home game, Nebraska-Omaha should generate nearly $2 million in revenue for a program that has been an instant success. A Division I independent, the Mavericks won’t be eligible to apply for admission to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association until 1999-but coach Mike Kemp is getting ready. “This is the league we want to be in,” Kemp said. “When we play WCHA teams, that’s like our league season.” Buoyed by the success of junior hockey in Omaha, Maverick officials announced May 1, 1996 they would have a team ready for this season. Just 15 days…