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April 19, 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.
Cechmanek nabs Flyer MVP honors
There really was no need to take a vote. When it came time to determine the winner of this year’s Bobby Clarke Trophy winner for most valuable player on Philadelphia, everyone’s head turned in the same direction. Roman Cechmanek picked up that honor before the Flyers-Florida game April 3 at the First Union Center. “When you have good goaltending, it puts you in a position to win every night,” said right winger Mark Recchi. “He has been a world-beater for us all year and he deserved that award.” Entering the final weekend of the season, Cechmanek stood second in NHL shutouts (with 10, just two off Bernie Parent’s team record), led starting goalies in goals-against average (2.01) and was also in the hunt for best save percentage at. 922. Toss in a 3315-6 won-loss…
IceCats making believers
The pre-season predictions, always an impossible crapshoot in the American League because of roster instability, look so good right now. The Canadian Division was picked correctly top to bottom, starting with the Saint John Flames. We picked Rochester to win the Mid-Atlantic, with Philadelphia and Syracuse fighting it out neck-and-neck. And we saw a tight Southern Division, with Kentucky figuring to be better than Cincinnati. If only we could stop it right there. But we won’t. We were really wrong about one team: The Worcester IceCats. Picked to finish last in the New England Division because of unproven youth, the IceCats posted the best season in team history. Now we’re believers. Here’s an analysis of the top five Calder Cup contenders: 1. Worcester IceCats (New England Division) Defining moment: Signing goalie Dwayne Roloson July 14. He’s…
Niagara mentor candidate for post at UMass-Lowell
Blaise MacDonald, who took the upstart Niagara Purple Eagles to the NCAA quarterfinal a year ago in just their third varsity season, is one of the leading candidates to replace Tim Whitehead as coach at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. MacDonald interviewed for the job April 2. In his five seasons behind the River Hawks’ bench, Whitehead has compiled a 76-95-13 record. He rejected a two-year contract extension offered by director of athletics Dana Skinner because he wanted it to run three years. MacDonald was a finalist for the UMass-Lowell position five years ago, but Niagara officials refused to let him out of his contract because they had just hired him to start their program. He has a 75-49-15 record in four seasons at Niagara, which is a member of the College Hockey America…
MVP Armstrong yearning for NHL
Derek Armstrong is growing tired of everyone’s assumption that he can’t play in the NHL. He says he wants the chance to prove he can’t - or can. Perhaps earning MVP honors in the American League will help the Hartford Wolf Pack center get one more chance. Armstrong was named winner of the Les Cunningham Award in a vote by players and media. It gave Armstrong, 28, a unique daily double, albeit in different seasons. He was the playoff MVP last spring when he led the Wolf Pack to the Calder Cup. The only other player to win both awards was Hershey’s Tim Tookey, who also did it in back-to-back years (playoff MVP in 198586, regular season in 1986-87). Armstrong had 31 goals and 97 points heading into the final week of the…
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