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December 29, 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.
UNITED LEAGUE
Paul Polillo’s return from a 20-month reitrement lasted just two games before the three-time United League MVP and the circuit’s all-time leading scorer retired again. Polillo, 33, drew two assists in his debut, a 10-1 Port Huron win at Flint. But while returning from a 4-3 loss in Muskegon the next night, Polillo realized he had made a mistake. Though surprised, coach Jean Laforest, who traded Brent Gretzky, last season’s scoring champ, to free up salary room for Polillo, insisted he wasn’t upset that Polillo bolted after just two games.…
Hull says he can hardly wait to quit
It might have been Brett Hull just being Brett Hull. Or he might have been addressing a long-standing pet peeve and tilting at a tantalizing windmill. Whatever the cause, the result was the kind of critique few players are willing to offer. The spark was a question about Mario Lemieux’s return. “I don’t know how anybody could quit and want to come back. I’m dying to get out of this game,” said Hull. “I don’t play good hockey anymore. The league has changed. It takes all of your skill away. “I would never miss this game the way it’s going, I would miss the paycheck.” Ironically, the remarks came after Hull played one of his strongest defensive games, helping shut down Paul Kariya in a 1-0 victory over Anaheim. While Hull led the Stars…
Wins desert Isles, Goring may go soon
As the holiday season approached, New York Islanders’ coach Butch Goring was hoping the sudden chill in the air was not the winds of change that swirl around Long Island at least a few times every season. Despite a significant boost in payroll and the additions of several veterans following an ownership change last summer, with his team mired in its annual pre-holiday swoon, Goring seemed destined to eventually join this season’s fired coaches on the unemployment line. In a mid-December meeting in front of the players, ever-blustery GM Mike Milbury — who has heard repeated chants of “Mike Must Go!” — reportedly told Goring he would be fired if the team didn’t start winning. “Butch and I talk every day,” Milbury said. “He’s no dope. He’s been in this game longer than…
Morris thrown into Flames’ fire after Housley suffers concussion
Derek Morris’ regular season debut proved to be more challenging than even he expected. Morris, who’d missed two months of the season in a contract dispute, signed a new, three-year contract at the end of November. He spent 10 days with the team’s American League affiliate in Saint John, was called up Dec. 11 and dressed as a seventh defenseman for his inaugural game against the Montreal Canadiens Dec. 13. The plans rapidly changed, however, after fellow defenseman Phil Housley’s first period concussion forced Morris into a more prominent role almost right away. Following Housley’s departure, Morris received a regular shift and was thrown on to the No. 1 power play unit. “It wasn’t bad,” was his assessment of his play. “I just need to make things happen quicker.” Paired mainly with Brad Werenka,…