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June 1, 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.
Promise of post-season greatness fizzles as goaltending, big guns falter in West final
In brushing past Dallas in the second round, St. Louis appeared primed for a serious run at the Stanley Cup. Appearances are sometimes deceiving. “It’s very disappointing,” said right winger Scott Young after the Blues were ousted in five games by Colorado in the Western Conference final. “The further you go, the tougher it is to lose out.” Adding to the pain is the fact that some of the damage was self-inflicted. First and foremost, goalie Roman Turek struggled in the West final. After starring in the first two rounds (1.60 goals-against average, .938 save percentage), Turek stumbled against Colorado, posting a 3.50 GAA and a .871 save percentage through four games before being replaced by rookie Brent Johnson for Game 5. “In the first two rounds, I didn’t make any mistakes, but against…
Unique mental toughness makes Blackburn special
Of all the strengths of Kootenay Ice netminder Dan Blackburn-his quickness, his mobility, his willingness to challenge shooters-the one people always come back to is his unshakable concentration. To hear them talk, the 6-foot-2,177-pounder is a heavyweight champ of mental toughness. “He doesn’t get rattled,” Central Scouting Service director Frank Bonello said emphatically. “His mental preparation for games and practices,” said Kootenay coach Ryan McGill, “is something you just don’t see in young goalies.” Mike Comrie certainly had never seen anything quite like this: Blackburn, in a trance-like state, acting out his saves in the dressing room before games. “The first time I saw him,” said Comrie, the Edmonton Oilers’ center who played the first half of the season in Kootenay, “I was kind of wondering what he was doing.” Blackburn is THN’s sixth-ranked prospect…
DRAFT PICKS SINCE 1990 WHO HAVE PLAYED IN THE NHL
An important indicator when judging a team’s drafting history is by the number of NHLers it produces. We’re counting all players who have played at least one NHL game. Fast Facts Chosen: 13th overall Winger spent entire 10-year NHL career with the Hawks, topping out at 15 goals on four separate occasions.…
NHL teams look to older Europeans for ready-to-step-in ‘prospects’
The key to older Europeans making the grade in the NHL after being passed over in previous drafts, according to Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough, is finding those who can play the same way in North America as they do at home. “A lot of the scouts in Europe don’t see enough NHL games to get a good feel for how players will do if they come to North America,” Risebrough said. So when former NHL coach Pierre Page insisted last June that Lubomir Sekeras of Slovakia could make the grade in North America, Risebrough took him 232nd overall, even though the defenseman was 31 years old. The selection paid off as Sekeras finished second in team scoring with 11 goals and 34 points in 80 games. “He’s very composed, he has good hockey…
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