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.


February 13, 1998

February 13, 1998

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

American gold rush depends on Richter revival

The worst possible news for the U.S. Olympic team is right there in the NHL statistics sheets. Mike Richter, the New York Rangers’ goalie who carried the U.S. to the World Cup championship with a MVP performance, is deep in the pack of NHL goalies. Richter was 12-1610, with a goals-against average of 2.54, a number that isn’t particularly good in the low-scoring NHL these days. Without top-notch goaltending in a short tournament, the U.S. can kiss its gold medal hopes goodbye. U.S. coach Ron Wilson said as much, predicting goaltending and luck would be the difference between gold and silver in Nagano. But even if Wilson wanted to switch his main man, what are the options? The U.S.’s other goalies, Honda Panther John Vanbiesbrouck (13-17-7, 2.86) and Mighty Duck of Anaheim Guy Hebert…

COLUMNISTS

Cold remedy issue far reaching

Amid the recent fuss over NHL players using Sudafed as a pre-game stimulant-a story The Hockey News published last October-we would do well to remember one thing. It’s only the tip of the iceberg. If NHL players are using over-the-counter cold remedies for a pseudoephedrine rush to their central nervous system-and some are, though no one can put a precise number on how many-then it’s logical to believe that the same thing is happening in lower levels of hockey. And it is, from the minors to junior and, yes, even to minor hockey involving teenagers and adolescents. It’s happening. “I can’t say I’ve actually seen a player take (Sudafed), but I’ve seen it in their bags and while you would like to think it’s because the kids have a cold, well, you kind of…

NHL TEAMS

Kings look for superstar as wins don’t fill stands

The Los Angeles Kings seem to have solved their biggest problem: Reversing their on-ice fortunes after four dismal seasons. However, they continued to have difficulty at the box office. They extended their unbeaten streak to a season-best 5-0-1 Jan. 29 with a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames, but the announced crowd at the Forum was only 9,586. On the season, the Kings were averaging 12,483 through 24 dates. Club president Tim Leiweke, while pleased with the team’s increasingly bright prospects, believes the Kings need an impact player who could help them take the next step competitively. And with plans moving ahead for a new downtown arena, Leiweke considers it crucial to have a marquee name to help sell luxury suites. “L.A. is a star-driven town and although we are a winning team…

IN THIS ISSUE

Olympic hockey medalists