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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.
’Violent check’ leaves Erie rookie in hospital bed
Erie Otters’ managing partner Sherry Bassin said the Ontario League has to address the whole issue of checking as 17-year-old Derek McDonald remained in hospital after being hit against the boards. The Otters’ rookie winger was unconscious for two hours and experienced a severe concussion after being checked Dec. 6 in Oshawa. McDonald was in an Oshawa hospital. Doctors were considering transporting him by ambulance to an Ottawa hospital so he could be near his home of Constance Bay. Bassin said McDonald, 6-foot-l and 195 pounds, was standing with his back to the boards and had cleared the puck from his feet when he was struck by Brandon Coalter of the Generals. McDonald’s helmeted head struck the edge of the boards, then the ice. Referee Brad Beer didn’t call a penalty. The league requested…
Confident Naslund breaks out
After staggering through a miserable 14-goal season one year ago, Markus Naslund appeared on his way out of Vancouver. He wasn’t coach Mike Keenan’s kind of player and Canuck management had its doubts, too, sending him nothing more than a qualifying contract offer over the summer. But injuries to first-line wingers Todd Bertuzzi and Alexander Mogilny opened a door for Naslund and he has barged through it to lead the team in goals with 14 after 27 games. All this after being a healthy scratch twice in the first nine days of the season. “It was difficult,” said Naslund, a 25-year-old from Omskoldsvik, Swe. “I was probably fragile mentally. It doesn’t help when you don’t feel the coach is supporting you and he doesn’t like the way you play. I thought I’d be…
Fleury will only consider extension with Flames
It isn’t how Theo Fleury wanted what could be his final season with the Calgary Flames to unfold. On the ice, Fleury is satisfied with what he has accomplished. His 28 points a third of the way through the season put him among the NHL scoring leaders. It is the off-ice distractions that have become so… distracting. Hardly a week goes by when there isn’t some new trade rumor and/or speculation about his contract. The latest speculation? That he had turned down a multi-year, incentive-laden offer that could earn him close to $5 million (U.S.) per season. Fleury’s agent, Don Baizley, would only acknowledge he and Flames’ GM Al Coates have discussed a contract extension since the season began. Coates was even more noncommittal, saying: “My position is, we’re not going to discuss…
Turcotte first Predator to get contract extension
The Nashville Predators started the season with virtually everyone on the roster playing with a one-year contract. Now, having rounded the quarter pole in their first year, they are beginning to see who may figure into the team’s long-term future. Center Darren Turcotte became the first to step up for another year. Turcotte agreed to a one-year extension worth the same $850,000 he is earning this season. “I wanted the security, that was important to me.” said Turcotte, who stood to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. “It seems in free agency, when you jump out there, you either hit a home run or you don’t even get a real swing at it. I like this situation, I like my role, I’m very happy here.” Turcotte, an 11-year NHL veteran, is a key…
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