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April 7, 2000
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.
NHL misses opportunity to send stern message
The NHL has once again shown that it just doesn’t get it. The latest “incident”—Scott Niedermayer’s slash to Peter Worrell’s head-resulted in a token 10-game suspension. Niedermayer used his stick as a weapon, but because Worrell wasn’t knocked out and was able to go after him, the suspension wasn’t very severe. If Worrell had been knocked unconscious, would Niedermayer have received a more appropriate suspension? The league is trying to market star players and speed up the pace of the game by calling obstruction penalties, but it missed a chance to show how seriously it considers attempt-to-injure penalties. Next time, it might be Pavel Bure or Jaromir Jagr on the receiving end of a slash to the head and the NHL would lose a superstar due to its continued inability to control…
Hebert comes through in clutch for Mighty Ducks
Just when they needed him most, goaltender Guy Hebert stepped up for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. With the club precariously close to dropping out of Stanley Cup playoff contention in the NHL’s Western Conference, Hebert came through with his best stretch of the season, under less than ideal circumstances. Two goal-mouth collisions, one with St. Louis Blues’ winger Stephane Richer and another with teammate Paul Kariya. in a 1-1 tie March 11 at St. Louis, forced Hebert to sit out a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche three nights later. Citing the long—held hockey tradition of being secretive about injuries, especially late in the season, the Ducks never revealed exactly what was wrong with Hebert. Though clearly shaken up when Kariya slid into him late in overtime against the Blues, Hebert made…
Coach Pulford will retire, despite Hawks’ big finish
When the Chicago Blackhawks finish the regular season April 9, Bob Pulford’s coaching career will end with it. Pulford, who has held the title of coach since Dec. 2, told the (Chicago) Daily Herald he will not be back behind the bench next season, shooting down speculation the club’s coaching situation will remain as it stands now with Pulford the head coach and Lorne Molleken associate coach. “I have no intention of coaching next year,” Pulford said. “Anyone who thinks I’m going to do this again should talk to my wife. She’d kill me.” There was talk the Hawks’ recent success (8-3-1 over a 12-game stretch) might cause owner Bill Wirtz to insist Pulford keep the title of coach. It was Wirtz who asked Pulford to go back behind the bench when Molleken…
Same name, different game
Did you know Mike Stapleton just passed his dad, Pat, in NHL games played? Be honest, did you even know Mike Stapleton played in the NHL? The 33-year-old center for the Atlanta Thrashers has played more than 13 years of pro hockey in relative obscurity. There have been stops in Chicago, Saginaw, Arvika, Swe., Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Phoenix and Atlanta. It hasn’t been a glorious joumey-no league awards and just 34 NHL playoff games. In fact, Stapleton has never played in the second round of the post-season. But on March 24 when when the Thrashers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins, Stapleton played NHL game No. 636. In doing so, he slipped past his father, who bolted to the World Hockey Association where he played five seasons after 635 NHL games. Mike is proud of…
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