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October 11, 2002
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.
Lowered expectations better for Bolts’ growth
If Tom Wilson had to do it again, the CEO of Lightning owner Palace Sports & Entertainment said he would have been more up front with the fans. Wilson said it was a mistake to say, after the company bought the Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum lease in June of 1999 that the team would be quickly competitive. “This was an expansion team in terms of talent,” Wilson said. “We should have said that up front.” The statement was a public-relations disaster. Expectations were heightened to unrealistic levels. That made the backlash worse when the team struggled and ownership was seen by some as doing things on the cheap. While the organization believes it could contend for a playoff spot this season, it has taken three years and 150 losses - including overtime…
Ducks’ McDonald mighty good passer
At 5-foot-10,185 pounds, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim’s Andy McDonald may not be a power forward, but he may indeed be a powerful playmaker for the team. Last season, McDonald, a center, matched the Ducks rookie assist record of 21 held by Paul Kariya and Matt Cullen. He also scored seven goals in 53 NHL games played, after beginning the season with Cincinnati of the American League. “The best thing that happened to Andy McDonald was getting sent to the minors last year,” said first-year Ducks coach Mike Babcock, who coached McDonald at Cincinnati. “He was the best player in the American League, absolutely dominated the league.” McDonald averaged only 1.5 shots on goal per game last year and is looking to increase that figure significantly “I don’t think the focus is scoring goals,”…
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
The Mark Messier Story - you know it, the story of the greatest hockey leader of all-time - has taken a decidedly sour turn in recent years. Three forgettable seasons as an outcast in Vancouver. No playoff games for the past five years. A reduction in playing time. A season-ending shoulder injury last year that forced him to the sidelines Dec. 6. It was not supposed to be this way. Not for the man who made life tolerable in Edmonton after the departure of Wayne Gretzky by leading the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990. Not for the man who did the impossible, bringing the Stanley Cup to New York in 1994 after 54 years of misery. Mark Messier, a winner if there ever was one, was supposed to go out…
Moose winger healthy, eager to play
His 2001-02 season ended with double disappointment, but right winger Herbert Vasiljevs turned a new page long before he headed for Vancouver Canucks training camp this September. The 26-year-old Latvian required surgery to repair ligament damage in his left knee, the result of a knee check while playing for the Manitoba Moose Feb. 5 against Quebec. It not only terminated Vasiljev’s season, but scuttled his lifelong dream to play for his country at last year’s Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. “It was hard for the first week, but after that, I figured there wasn’t anything I could do about it,” said Vasiljevs, after a seven-month rehabilitation that put him back on skates in time to begin camp in Vancouver. “It was a game situation and when you play hard and do…
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