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June 1, 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.
Your guide to statistics, teams and leagues
Welcome to our 13th annual Draft Preview. Below is all the information you need to best understand the statistics in this special issue. The following legend lists abbreviations for statistics and leagues found in player prospect and update sections as well as the Central Scouting Bureau listing. Special notes: European players are identified by team and country or level of hockey. Europeans playing in secondary leagues are denoted with a .2. American high school and prep school players are identified by US-HS. Other abbreviations are: bantam (Ban.), midget (Mid.), junior (Jr., Jr. A, Jr. B or Jr. C), independent (ind.) and World Junior Championship (WJC). Statistics LEA-league; GP-games played; G-goals; A-assists; P-points; PIM—penalty minutes; W-L-T-wins-losses-ties; MIN-minutes; GA-goals against; SV%-save percentage; SO-shutouts; GAA-goals-against average. Minor Pro American League (AHL): Adirondack, Albany, Cincinnati, Fredericton, Hamilton, Hartford, Hershey, Kentucky,…
Houle be the one in Year 30?
The NHL eliminated the practice of teams sponsoring amateur clubs in 1964. The Montreal Canadiens, however, were given a five-year rule whereby they could select the first two French-Canadian players each year. In 1969, the last year of the rule and the first year of the full draft. GM Sam Pollock and the Habs selected Houle No. 1 and Tardif No. 2 “Some people said it gave us an unfair advantage, but I don”t think so,” said Pollock, now chairman and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. “It only mattered one year and we had to give up our two first-round choices.” Houle and Tardif, linemates with the Montreal Jr. Canadiens, turned out to be the cream of the first round. Both played 14 pro years, both retired in 1983, both spent…
Checking in with last year”s first round picks
Here”s how players selected in the first round of last year”s entry draft fared this season. A good talent indicator is 1998 Future Watch, a rating of the top NHL-affiliated prospects. (Statistics are games, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes; wins, losses, ties and goals-against average for goalies.) 1. Joe Thornton, C, Boston. Spent most of the season on the Bruins” fourth line. Took just 33 shots in 55 games. (55-3-4-7-19). 2. Patrick Marleau, C, San Jose. Youngest NHL player showed excellent flashes on the third line. Fourth in rookie scoring (74-13-19-32-14). 3. Olli Jokinen, C, Los Angeles. Rated third overall in Future Watch. Played eight Kings” games before returning to IFK (30-11 -28-39-32). 4. Roberto Luongo, G, Islanders. Rated fourth in Future Watch. Rebounded after bad start with Vai d”Or. (27-20-5,3.09). 5. Eric Brewer,…
DRAFT ORDER BY SELECTION
Pierre Lacroix had better be in tip-top shape. Six times in the first 37 picks, the GM of the Colorado Avalanche will run back and forth between his team”s table on the floor of Buffalo”s Marine Midland Arena and the microphone set up on stage where teams announce their picks-barring any trades, that is. Colorado has four first round picks. Footnotes 1. Tampa Bay gets Ronda”s pick via San Jose in Bryan Marchment trade March 24. 1998. 2. San Jose gets Tampa Bays pick in Marchment trade. 3. Colorado gets San Jose”s pick in Mike Ricci trade Nov. 20,1997. 4. Colorado gets LA”s pick in Stephane Fiset trade June 20. 1996. 5. Colorado gets Boston”s pick in Landon Wilson trade Nov. 22, 1996. 6. Colorado gets Washington”s pick in Chris Simon trade…
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