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January 15, 1999
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.
Koivu’s dipsy-doodling irks Vigneault
Montreal Canadiens’ coach Alain Vigneault has seen Saku Koivu play some wonderful hockey. Trouble is, Vigneault was standing behind the Ottawa Senators’ bench at the time. Two seasons ago, Vigneault was a Sens’ assistant coach and Koivu, after 30 games, was fighting Jaromir Jagr, Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic for the scoring lead as a sophomore sensation. Then he blew out his knee in a fateful December game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Vigneault has heard Koivu hasn’t been the same ever since and the numbers back that up: Since then, he has had 86 points in 112 games. For a $3 million-a-year player supposedly entering his prime, that’s not good enough. Five goals and 11 points in 23 games this season while at times playing a frustrating, dipsy-doo-dlish style isn’t a step…
Moog joins Thrashers as consultant
The Atlanta Thrashers hired three-time Stanley Cup champion goalie Andy Moog as a goaltending consultant. “Goaltending is the position we are going to build this franchise around,” said Thrashers’ GM Don Waddell. “Andy brings a wealth of experience and more importantly, a feel for what it takes to win in the NHL.” Moog, 38, will evaluate goalies throughout the NHL as well as amateur and minor pro goalies who are eligible for expansion and amateur drafts in June. The Thrashers begin play in October, 1999. Moog will continue to reside in Dallas and will report to Waddell. Terms of his contract were not disclosed. The Penticton, B.C. native played in more than 700 games and appeared in six Stanley Cup finals in 15 years with four teams. His three Stanley Cups were earned with…
Rockets’ launch approved after draft rules clarified
The Quebec League is back in Montreal. The league officially welcomed the Montreal Rockets as its 16th team Dec. 28 and the expansion franchise will take off next season. The league lost its Montreal presence when the Laval Titan moved to Bathurst, N.B., at the end of last season. “We’re very pleased,” said league president Gilles Courteau. “It’s important (to have a team in Montreal) because of the population base in the area, the major media coverage and for the sponsorship aspect.” The board of governors unanimously gave Courteau a mandate at its Dec. 17 meeting to finish negotiations with the Rockets, who will play out of the Maurice Richard Arena. Courteau and Rockets’ GM, Serge Savard Jr., spent the Christmas holidays working out the parameters for the expansion draft, which will be held prior…
Adds was ‘English Canada’s Beliveau’
Syl Apps died in his sleep Christmas Eve at age 83, swept away by a neurological disease that had long since taken his ability to speak and walk. The man widely recognized as the greatest ever Toronto Maple Leaf hadn’t appeared in public in more than a decade. Apps was the Leafs’ first broadcast hero. When Foster Hewitt began broadcasting Leaf games, it was Apps’ exploits he was extolling. Like Jean Beliveau and Joe DiMaggio, Apps’ charisma transcended hockey. An Olympian in deed as well as stature, he attended the 1936 games as a pole vaulter and after retiring as a player served three terms as a provincial member of parliament in Ontario. “He represents what pro athletes should be,” former Leaf Jim Dorey told the Toronto Star. “He was the Jean Beliveau…
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