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February 20, 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.
Hitmen hit win column after two dismal years
The Calgary Hitmen are suddenly a hit. Calgary surged to the top of the Central Division in its third Western League season. The Hitmen sported a 27-22-2 record-on the strength of a 19-5-0 surge-in early February. Calgary had records of 15-53-4 and 18-51-3 in its previous two seasons. “Everyone does their part,” said Calgary coach Dean Clark. “It’s a team philosophy every night. We don’t have one guy who’s selfish. They all get along together. We’ve got some goals we want to achieve and we’re working hard to do that.” The Hitmen were led by 18-year-old center Brad Moran, who has been with the team since its inception. The undrafted Moran had 40 goals and 74 points in 51 games. “This is great,” Moran said. “We were bound to improve some time. I figured we…
Zalapski, Hoglund in from Calgary to provide more beef for playoffs
The Montreal Canadiens are a bigger team in 1998 than they were in 1997. But are they better? That won’t be known until the playoffs. GM Rejean Houle made his second trade in fewer than three weeks Feb. 1, sending right winger Valeri Bure and a conditional draft pick to the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zarley Zalapski and right winger Jonas Hoglund. Much like the six-player deal Houle pulled off in mid-January. acquiring forwards Patrick Poulin and Mick Vukota and defenseman Igor Ulanov from the Tampa Bay Lightning, this latest trade was made with the playoffs in mind. Zalapski is 6-foot-l and 215 pounds while Hoglund is a hulking 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, although the Swedish winger isn’t considered particularly physical. “We’ve improved our depth on defense and have two bigger players to help us…
What you need to know about the 1997-98 season
Johnny on the spot If you ignore the fact Mario Lemieux spent most of last season at left wing, portsiders have been left out of the Art Ross celebrations for more than three decades. John LeClair could change all that. The Philadelphia Flyer was fourth overall with 62 points in 54 games, four points behind the leaders. The last pure left winger to win the scoring title was Bobby Hull in 1965-66. Sked by Brett No complaints from St. Louis winger Brett Hull over the compressed NHL schedule. He loves it. “I’d like to see twice a week back-to-back games and then a couple days off in a row.” Another Hullian idea: Shorten the season by a couple weeks, but extend the Christmas break a week. Movin’ on up When your biggest…
Phillips started Olympic ball rolling
In a perfect world, Cathy Phillips would be going to Nagano as the backbone of the Canadian Women’s Olympic team. And if Canada won the gold medal, her teammates would hoist her on their shoulders and carry her around the rink in recognition of what Phillips did to put women’s hockey on the map. “If you did a Top 50 for women’s hockey, she’d be the No. 1 goalie on the list,” said Fran Rider, executive director for the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association. “More than any other player, she is responsible for women’s hockey being in the Olympics. Back when most people thought women’s hockey was mediocre, Cathy was a superstar. People watched her and realized the calibre of play in women’s hockey was better than they thought.” Phillips, 37, will be going…
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