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October 22, 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.
Gomez takes Mystery out of Alaska for Devils
With Scott Gomez becoming the first player born in Alaska to play in the NHL, we should clear up any lingering Mystery about the place and persons who live there. Gomez never put any potatoes in his skates to warm them up. He does not remember the Rangers ever coming to town. His nickname is not ‘Moose.’ None of his W7 friends have ever dated one. Granted, he has seen the odd set of antlers romping through ‘the streets near his home on Anchorage’s east side. But he insists there are “never any bears,” either grizzled as a Devgy jayjils’ fan has become waiting for a playoff victory or otherwise. However, it is true that in winter, Anchorage can become almost as frozen as Robbie Ftorek’s jaw at a news conference. Yet, even…
Crowded crease could pose dilemma for coach Ludzik
Two is company. Three is a downright mess. And a crowded mess is what the Tampa Bay Lightning has in goal. Having too many goalies is better than not enough, but the Lightning’s three-headed monster could cause problems for coach Steve Ludzik, who has to figure out how to keep three netminders happy. There’s Daren Puppa. who is healthy again (finally) and frying to reestablish himself as an elite goalie. There’s Dan Cloutier, a No. 1 goalie in-waiting. And, finally, there’s Kevin Hodson, who has shown the potential of being an NHL regular since being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings last March. “We have three good ones,” Ludzik said. “But it’s not an ideal situation.” One solution would be to send one of the goalies to the minors, but they first would have…
Prospect back in America after losing ‘suspect’ tag
When it’s only mid-season and the powers-that-be are telling you to pack up and head home, your NHL dreams pretty much vanish. Except when the Washington Capitals told Miika Elomo to go back to Finland midway through the 1997-98 season, they weren’t giving up on him. They just realized the 20-year-old native of Turku wasn’t ready for the North American game. Now, two years later, Elomo is back with the American League’s Portland Pirates and has made the transformation from tentative youngster to bona fide prospect. The versatile 6-foot, 200-pound forward scored three goals and assisted on another as the Pirates won their first two games. That’s two more goals and two more points than he had / in 33 games in 1997-98, when the Capitals decided he wasn’t ready. “I was pretty young…
Caps dump Pivonka in K.C.; center must show durability
After two injury-plagued campaigns in which he played just 69 regular season games with the Washington Capitals, center Michal Pivonka is back to square one, having to prove himself all over again. A veteran of 13 NHL seasons, Pivonka, 33. will be doing that in the International League with the Kansas City Blades. After receiving no invitation to the Capitals’ training camp, Pivonka and his $1.2 million salary were sent tc Kansas City. “I can’t lie, I’d rather be in the NHL,” Pivonka told the Kansas City Star. “I believe I can still play in the NHL. If I stay all year (in K.C.). that’s fine. If somebody calls me up for the playoffs, I think I can be ready “ The Capitals are reportedly seeking to trade the, native of Kladno, Czech…
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