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October 1, 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.
Brewing a captain
1999-2000 SCHEDULE The New York Islanders’ public relations office fielded calls throughout the off-season from fans asking about Eric Brewer-related items. The team posted an action shot of the 20-year-old defenseman on its website that fans could download and use as wallpaper for their computers, but got calls asking them to switch it to a close-up. He’s the team’s most popular player in the ‘teen idol’ category, sort of the Isles’ version of the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter, minus the bold-type links to superstar divas in the city’s gossip sheets.” The affable Brewer, who the Isles feel will one day be a captain, is not comfortable with the comparison. But he’s learning how to deal with it, much like he learned how to deal with a new life in the NHL as a 19-year-old…
Penalties loom large in overtime
The thrills may come on the penalty kills. While coaches aren’t predicting firewagon, high-chance hockey in 4-on-4 overtime, things figure to change once one team takes a penalty. “There’s a huge difference between a 5-on-4 power play and a 4-on-3 power play,” Detroit Red Wings’ coach Scotty Bowman said. “It’s much more dangerous. That’s where you’re really going to see things open up.” If a team is penalized in OT, the teams play 4-on-3. If there’s a two man advantage, it’s 5-on-3. If the first penalty expires during running time, the teams play 5-on-4 until the first stoppage, when it reverts to 4-on-3 for the balance of the second penalty. All penalties that carry over from regulation time will be handled as above from the start of OT. Anytime a 4-on-4 situation doesn’t exist…
No hurdle too high
1999-2000 SCHEDULE Tom Poti didn’t win the Calder Trophy last season, but if he had, the sensational rookie had an acceptance speech he’s been waiting 22 years to deliver. “When I stop and think about it now, I pretty much owe it all to my parents,” said Poti, who left Boston University two years early to begin his career as an Edmonton Oiler. “I don’t think I’d still be here if it wasn’t for them. They were always rushing me to the hospital, scheduling my medicine, waking me up every hour to go on my breathing machine. I owe a lot to them.” Under normal circumstances, leading the team in plus-minus and winning a berth on the NHL’s allrookie team is the whole story. Not in Poti’s case. Not by a long shot. His…
Blues brothers rule blueline
Al Maclnnis and Chris Pronger. Chris Pronger and Al Maclnnis. The order sometimes changes, but the St. Louis Blues’ top two defensemen always seem to be mentioned together, like Lennon and McCartney, Laurel and Hardy or Bert and Ernie. They’re considered a team..except for one small detail. They seldom play together. As Maclnnis says, “It just so happens (we’re) on the same team.” Maclnnis and Pronger also happen to be two of the best defensemen in the NHL, perhaps the top two, but they’re rarely on the ice at the same time. They’ll start power plays as a unit on the blue-line, with Pronger leaving after a minute or so and Maclnnis staying on for almost the full two minutes. They’re also on the ice together for the start of penalty kills-when Pronger isn’t…
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