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August 1, 1998

August 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.

LEAGUES/DEPARTMENTS

Former player wins lawsuit over university money

Former Ontario League player Jud Richards won a small claims lawsuit against the North Bay Centennials after the team failed to pay for his university education. Richards, who played in the OHL for a season, was awarded $6,000, the maximum amount allowable in Ontario small claims court. Richards was a third round pick of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1992. He was traded to the Centennials in November of that season and was cut from North Bay his second year. He played Jr. A in Oakville, Ont., and then attended Mount Allison University in New Brunswick for four years. Richards sued the Centennials after they failed to pay the university costs that were set out in his original contract with the Greyhounds. The Centennials felt their obligation ended when Richards was cut. Deputy…

LEAGUES/DEPARTMENTS

Wickenheiser’s camp goes according to plan

While conducting a power skating session, Cindy Bower encouraged her pupils with a loud, “C’mon guys.” She should be forgiven the mistake. After all, it’s not everyday that Bower has to worry about gender while working at an NHL training session. But in early July, the Philadelphia Flyers’ camp for prospects went co-ed. Hayley Wickenheiser, a cornerstone of Canada’s Olympic silver medal winning hockey team, joined the ranks for the eight-day session. Invited by Flyers’ GM Bobby Clarke following the Olympics, Wickenheiser jumped at the chance to work out with Flyers’ future players. Though sporting a Philadelphia sweater with No. 77, once belonging to Paul Coffey, Wickenheiser insisted she has no designs on the NHL. “For me, the NHL is a totally different game, much more physical,” the 19-year-old said. “I have no intention…

NHL TEAMS

Housekeeping on GM’S plate

The Ottawa Senators won’t be doing any shopping on the NHL’s free agent market this summer. Instead, newly appointed GM Rick Dudley is going to concentrate his efforts on signing players already with the organization. With the Canadian dollar falling and a mandate from above to keep salaries modest on what is already one of the lowest payrolls in the league, Dudley can’t afford to get involved in bidding wars for high-priced bodies. “Our priority is to get the people that we’ve already got in place,” Dudley said. “That’s an ongoing process. I’ve talked to (coach) Jacques (Martin) about 20 times and we both feel pretty good about what we have here.” With a list of 10 restricted free agents sitting on his desk at the Corel Centre, Dudley must now begin the arduous…

IN THIS ISSUE

Players share fund

About 1,400 former NHL players will share the $1 million (Cdn.) restitution fund paid into court by disgraced former NHL Players’ Association executive director Alan Eagleson. Split equally among the eligible players who were active from 1976 to 1991, the restitution payout amounts to about $714 each. Eagleson was ordered to pay the restitution after his guilty plea in U.S. District Court Jan. 6 to three counts of fraud and theft involving players’ insurance premiums. The founder of the NHLPA was sentenced to an 18-month jail term and was released July 6. after serving six months. Some former players said they would like to channel the money to those who most need it. CAMPBELL IN COMMAND: A former Ranger boss is now the NHL’s sheriff. Colin Campbell, fired as coach of the New York Rangers…