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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.
Quiet legend still crashing
During a road trip shortly after the Cleveland Lumberjacks’ season began, the players watched the movie Bull Durham on the team bus. The fictional story of Crash Davis, a career minor league baseball player, hit home. Riding on the bus that day was veteran Jock Callander, a legend in the International League and an 18-year pro. Also on the bus was Ty Jones, a Chicago Blackhawks’ first round draft pick in 1997 who has been tabbed as a talented project. It didn’t take long for the players to make the connection between fiction and fact. Callander, the oldest player in the IHL at 38, picked up the nickname ‘Crash’ and Ty became ‘Nuke’ after the Durham Bulls’ top prospect, Nuke LaLoosh. Life was imitating art right on the highway. Just as Crash Davis worked…
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…
Teams fold, players scattered
Citing “unresolved ownership situations,” the Western Pro League suspended operations of the Abilene Aviators and Waco Wizards for the remainder of the season. “The WPHL made a significant effort to resolve both these situations, but with the very short time frame we had, we were unable to complete finalization of an agreement to ensure professional hockey would continue in Abilene and Waco this season,” said WPHL president Rick Kozuback of the Dec. 15 decision. The WPHL took over the Waco franchise following the return of a rent check for insufficient funds at the Heart O’Texas Coliseum and assumed control of the Abilene franchise Nov. 24 following a default by owners Dr. John and Glenda Slaughter. A dispersal draft was held Dec. 15 for Abilene and Waco players. The schedule will remain the same…
Spokane Euros disappointed after WJC invitations voided
Spokane Chiefs’ centers Daniel Bohac and Roman Tvrdon were expecting to play in the World Junior Championship. The necessary paperwork was completed. Their flights to Sweden were booked. But the hockey federations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia had reservations of a different sort. The invitations were rescinded, reportedly without a valid explanation. “It’s the strangest thing ever,” said Chiefs’ GM Tim Speltz. “Both of them were invited to go. Both of them were disappointed because they were looking forward to it. “We don’t look at the Europeans any different than the Canadians. It (WJC) is a good opportunity for the kids to develop and grow as players. It’s a good opportunity for people on the team to assume new responsibilities. To play a few games without players who are at the tournament isn’t…
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