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November 1, 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.
Cat finds good home in Worcester
Justin Papineau is certain his decision to re-enter the NHL draft in 2000 could not have turned out better. The St. Louis Blues prospect, now a 22-year-old center with the American League’s Worcester IceCats, was a second round pick (46th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in 1998. But when his junior production with the Ontario League’s Belleville Bulls declined from 52 goals to 40 in 1999-2000, it brought the Ottawa native to a crossroads. “I had some negative feedback from L.A. when it was time to sign,” Papineau said. “They didn’t think I had such a great year, but I still scored 40 goals. “I wanted a fresh start where I’d have a better chance of playing in the NHL. I think it turned out to be a great decision.” When he re-entered…
Six-goal Theodore banished to bench
Perhaps the Montreal Canadiens were slightly premature in identifying veteran Jeff Hackett as the team’s backup goaltender. Through the early stages of the new season, Jose Theodore was playing like someone who deserved to ride the-bench. Theodore, winner of last season’s Hart and Vezina Trophies as the league’s most valuable player and outstanding netminder, lost two of his first three starts and allowed 13 goals for an unflattering 4.33 goals-against average and a sorry.829 save percentage. Theodore was solid in the Canadiens’ 4-1 season-opening win over the Rangers, but allowed six goals the following night against Buffalo-in Montreal’s home opener and six goals–again at home–against Philadelphia three nights later. “I’m going to have to concentrate on what I do best and that’s challenging shooters and making the first save,” Theodore said. “I’m just…
NHL dream lives on
When you make your living punching other people, tears are not normally an option. Crying isn’t a part of the enforcer’s code. When John Craighead starts to well up a little as he shares his story, however, it’s easy to understand. After hearing what Craighead has battled through to keep his NHL dream alive, it’s hard not to join him, especially when the 30-year-old training camp walk-on gets to the part where the Vancouver Canucks tell him that dream can come true. His mother, Rita, believed it all along. “When I told her I would be offered a contract she was crying,” said Craighead, who found out during an Oct. 12 game against San Jose that the Canucks would offer him a deal as soon as he recovers from a sore left shoulder. “I…
As frustration mounts, slumping Niedermayer in Gilbert’s doghouse
He had a difficult first season as a Calgary Flame and followed it up with an ordinary training camp and then two do-nothing games to begin 2002-03. Center Rob Niedermayer was struggling badly and finally, after much consideration, coach Greg Gilbert opted to do something that hadn’t happened to Niedermayer since his rookie season in the NHL–he made him a healthy scratch. Niedermayer, at $2.1 million, is the Flames’ fourth-highest paid player, but hasn’t produced the way the team imagined when they acquired him from Florida in exchange for Valeri Bure and Jason Wiemer in June, 2001. Niedermayer, with zero points and a minus-3 rating, sat out mid-October games against Vancouver and Boston. “It is frustrating,” Niedermayer said. “You don’t want to be a negative distraction on the team, but right now, as…
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