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 31, 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.
Veterans Muller, Dean added to help ease rookie transitions
The Dallas Stars’ plan to get younger and faster has not been abandoned, GM Bob Gainey said. But, he added, having a little veteran leadership doesn’t hurt, either. That was the philosophy Dec. 15 when Gainey traded future considerations to pick up veteran defenseman Kevin Dean from the Atlanta Thrashers and signed veteran left winger Kirk Muller to a free agent contract. Dean, 30, is expected to battle for the sixth defenseman spot with Jamie Pushor, while Muller, 33, will get a chance to be a contributor on the third or fourth line. The Stars are hoping the two will benefit from the change of scenery. “You come in and you don’t have to be the main guy here, you don’t have to carry the weight,” said center Guy Carbonneau. “You just have…
Showdown in Sweden
Since winning their first World Junior Championship in 1982, Canada has never gone more than three years between titles. The Canadian juniors last won gold three years ago. So if the tradition continues, Canada will return from Sweden with gold medals around their necks. Or a new tradition will start. One that has pundits everywhere questioning why Canada can’t win a tournament it dominated in the mid-1990s, capturing five straight titles from 1993 through 1997. In any case, expect a new champion. Since 1984, no country except Canada has defended the title, meaning Russia, last year’s winner, has a trend to break if they intend on repeating. Here is how we see the WJC shaking down, from top to bottom: 1. SWEDEN The Swedes have played for gold five times in the last 10 years…
HOCKEY’S 100 PEOPLE OF POWER & INFLUENCE
With apologies to the Philadelphia Flyers’ extra-man unit, No. 1 in the NHL, here is the best power play in the game today: The Hockey News’ 100 People of Power and Influence. It is THN’s first effort at ranking the game’s premier power-brokers and influential individuals. It is not to be confused with yet another of those century lists, honoring career achievements over a 100-year period. It is all about the here and now, all about who has power and/or influence as we skate into the new millennium. Some of the names on the list will be instantly recognizable and understandable, few more so than THN’s top three people of power and influence: No. 1, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman; No. 2, NHL Players’ Association executive director Bob Goodenow; and No. 3, hockey…
All Hawk eyes on Smith
If Mike Smith thought life was unpalatable during his hockey marriage with Ken Dryden and the Toronto Maple Leafs, just wait until the honeymoon ends with his latest bride. Because when you sign on with the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s for better or Wirtz. The Hawks, of course, are run by hands-on owner Bill Wirtz and his sons Rocky and Peter. Adopted son Bob Pulford also has his fingerprints all over the team’s blueprint. In Toronto, Smith was required to run routine day-to-day business past Dryden, even though he was supposed to be in charge of the Leafs’ on-ice product. With Wirtz & Sons, Smith will have to put his hand up for permission to go to the bathroom. “Everything with the Hawks is done by committee,” said a former employee. “You want to make…
Made possible with the support of
