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 25, 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.
Hatcher’s two-way play pleasing plus for Pens
Kevin Hatcher’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors since summertime, but the veteran Pittsburgh Penguins’ defenseman pays them no heed. Instead, Hatcher was focussing on providing the Penguins with an all-around effort every game. He was succeeding. Hatcher was leading the Penguins in minutes per game (just over 25) and on most nights was their best defenseman. “He’s just keeping things simple,” said Hatcher’s defense partner, Brad Werenka. “He moves the puck well, gets it to the guys who need it. His whole game right now is real solid, top to bottom.” Hatcher’s offensive play has been typically productive. With four goals and 13 assists through 24 games, he was on pace for more than 60 points this season. That would easily eclipse his total of 48 from last season. One more…
Shtrom makes news, but for wrong reasons
Union senior goalie Leoor Shtrom knew he had a chance to make a name for himself as the No. 1 goalie, but the headlines he made recently weren’t the kind Shtrom expected. Shtrom tied the Eastern College Athletic Conference record for penalty minutes in a game by a goalie, and also received a four-game suspension for his part in a third-period fight that broke out during the Skating Dutchmen’s 5-2 loss to Cornell at Cornell’s Lynah Rink Dec. 4. The incident started in the third period when Jay Varady of Union collided with Cornell goalie Ian Burt. Players from both sides began pushing and shoving, and Shtrom skated the length of the ice to join in. Shtrom at first locked up with Burt, and the two then began fighting. All 10 skaters on the…
Cold ‘Beezer’ on hot seat after softies
“Here we go again,” read one headline. “Beezer in freezer,” said another. To those who follow the Philadelphia Flyers on a regular basis, no further explanation was needed. John Vanbiesbrouck, who was brought in last summer to upgrade the Flyers’ questionable goaltending situation, found himself pulled from one big game, a 5-5 tie versus the New Jersey Devils Dec. 8, and benched for the rematch two nights later, which the Flyers’ lost 5-4 behind backup Ron Hextail. After a good start, Vanbiesbrouck’s record slipped to 7-6-4 with an. 884 save percentage, among the league’s poorest. “No goalie likes to get yanked out of a game, but it happens if you’re not playing well or for momentum’s sake,” said coach Roger Neilson. “He’s aware of that.” Vanbiesbrouck knows he has some work to do. The 35-year-old goalie…
Potvin not only concern for de-facto GM Smith
Toronto Maple Leafs’ associate GM Mike Smith had a lot more on his mind in mid-December than what he was going to do about Felix Potvin. That’s not to say Smith wasn’t devoting his energies toward trading Potvin, who left the team Dec. 3 and announced two days later he wasn’t coming back. Smith was on the phone daily trying to deal Potvin. But through the affair, Smith was also consumed by a more important matter. His wife, Judy, has cancer and underwent surgery Nov. 30 and was expected to begin chemotherapy in late December. When Smith wasn’t at games, he was by her side in a Boston hospital. “I’ve had better weeks.” Smith said Dec. 5. “It sure makes all the bull seem pretty meaningless.” As soon as Potvin walked out-and subsequently was…
Made possible with the support of
