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February 16, 2001
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.


Pennsylvania parole officials investigate Tibbetts’ punch
The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole was expected to hold a hearing to determine whether rookie forward Billy Tibbetts violated his parole when he punched Atlanta winger Darcy Hordichuk. The NHL suspended Tibbetts for four games for slugging Hordichuk, who was on the bench, during a Jan. 27 game. Board of Parole spokesperson Jennifer Hitz said the incident was being reviewed because the department got word Tibbetts engaged in an action that “could be considered assaultive and needs to be looked into.” Tibbetts, 25, was put on parole after serving 3-1/2 years in three Massachusetts prisons. He was charged in 1996 with assault with a deadly weapon - a BB gun - thereby violating his parole from a statutory rape case two years earlier. Tibbetts will be permitted to state his…


DiPietro impresses in first NHL start
The New York Islanders have had enough ‘goaltenders of the future’ to wonder when they’re going to get one right. Still, the wayward team was hoping Rick DiPietro’s late January arrival would offer a glimpse of better days ahead for a club that will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season. DiPietro was the first overall choice in the 2000 entry draft. The 19-year-old rookie made his NHL debut Jan. 27 in a 2-1 loss to Buffalo. Later, GM Mike Milbury faxed all 29 NHL teams to say he intended to trade either John Vanbiesbrouck or backup goalie Wade Flaherty. “(DiPietro) looked comfortable enough and really the games at this point, barring a minor miracle, are about development,” Milbury said. DiPietro followed that up by allowing just one goal in 59 minutes in…


LETTER OF THE WEEK
I would rather have my son playing alongside Pavel Brendl than a brawler! If you want to give more Canadians a chance to play in the Canadian Hockey League - and disagree with Canadian Hockey Association president Bob Nicholson’s suggestion to ban Europeans from the CHL - then eliminate the goons who can only fight. I’m not saying to eliminate fighting, but there are too many guys in the CHL who would be in Jr. D if they couldn’t punch. Playing with skilled Europeans is only going to make Canadians better. Don Cherry says they’re stealing 100 jobs. But consider that there are a half-dozen more CHL teams than there were five years ago; that makes up for the 100 spots. And the Canadians without jobs now wouldn’t have had jobs in…


Blues attempt to move ahead without ailing star defensemen
For the first time in nearly three years, the Blues hit the ice without either Chris Pronger or Al Maclnnis in the lineup. Maclnnis sustained a bruised cornea, a lacerated eyelid and blurred vision Jan. 27, when an accidental high stick from Scott Hannan of San Jose caught him in the left eye. Maclnnis, 37, joined Pronger (out with knee surgery until late February) on an injured list that peaked at seven regulars. The Blues beat Montreal and New Jersey without Pronger, but struggled when their other Norris Trophy winner joined him on IR. They lost at home to San Jose 4-3 in overtime Jan. 27 after Maclnnis left midway through the third. Two nights later, in their first game without the two linchpins since Feb. 17, 1997, they beat visiting Toronto…