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October 26, 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.
Klemm gets role in Hawk spotlight after years of being in shadows
It looks as if the Blackhawks made a good investment in the off-season by signing defenseman Jon Klemm. Klemm averaged more than 22 minutes of ice time in the first four games and was becoming a settling influence on the Hawks’ shaky defense. “He’s a character defenseman who is going to play a lot against the other teams’ best players,” said coach Brian Sutter. “He’s as solid as a rock.” Some might think Klemm had rocks in his head for leaving the Colorado •Avalanche to sign with an organization that has missed the playoffs the past four seasons. Klemm, named an alternate captain by the Hawks, saw in Chicago an opportunity to play a bigger role. Instead of being a fourth, fifth or sixth defenseman, he would be a key guy on the…
Phantoms’ Pletka off to red-hot start
The Philadelphia Flyers certainly don’t need help on the wing right now, not with their abundance of depth at forward. But Philadelphia Phantoms’ right winger Vaclav Pletka is making sure the parent Flyers know what he can do. Pletka, in his second pro season after two years in the top Czech league, scored five goals in the first three games as the Phantoms started 3-0. “The Flyers are a very good team so maybe if a couple guys get injuries, I will get a chance,” said Pletka, smallish at 5-foot-11, 182 pounds, but also gritty and quick. Pletka was the 208th overall pick in 1999 by the Flyers. He scored 20 goals and 41 points in 71 AHL games last season. “He really had a good camp and his work ethic every day was tremendous,”…
Hard-luck Stefan out with broken jaw
Patrik Stefan was hoping to make it through the season without injury problems. Turns out, he couldn’t make it through the first week. The Atlanta Thrashers’ third-year forward suffered a broken jaw in the second game of the year, sidelining him until at least early November. A plate and six screws were required to repair the jaw in surgery. Stefan was caught by an inadvertent high stick by Boston’s Bill Guerin, who wasn’t penalized, but received a three-game suspension. “It was an unnecessary action by Guerin,” said Thrashers’ coach Curt Fraser. “He has to be much more responsible with his stick, whether it’s an accident or not. Some day, if they really want to deal with these things, if you lose a player for two or three weeks in a blatant act, (the offender)…
Flames hoist Cup, then give it back
The Saint John Flames, with only eight returning members of their Calder Cup-winning team, hoisted the trophy one last time and raised the championship banner prior to their seasonopener at Harbour Station. The Flames then dismantled the Manitoba Moose Oct. 5, beginning their quest to win the title again. Coach Jim Playfair held a team meeting the day before the opener specifically to deal with the ceremonies. “We made a decision that the Cup was no longer ours,” Playfair said, “It now belongs to the AHL. We won it at the end of the last season and it’s a new season. “Tonight was a night for the organization and the fans to exploit the Cup one last time and get one last kick out of it. But in reality, our group has moved past…