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May 2, 2003
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.
Mitchell’s stock rises with solid post-season
Since Brad Bombardir went down with a back injury in late February, the Wild’s defense corps collectively stepped up its game in the season’s final six weeks. But a committee chairman emerged in their series against Colorado: Willie Mitchell. Logging more ice time than at any point in his four-year career, Mitchell elevated his physical game to match his assignment: dogging Peter Forsberg and linemates Alex Tanguay and Milan Hejduk. Even after Minnesota fell behind in the series, Mitchell absorbed invaluable spotlight experience, tangling with Forsberg several times and laying track to be the team’s go-to guy next season. Mitchell, a 25-year-old native of Port McNeill, B.C., eagerly anticipated his post-season debut and relished the opportunity. “It’s a fun role to go out and play against the best players in the world and try…
New owner has many choices to make
New Sabres owner Tom Golisano and his top aide, Larry Quinn, spent the first week of the off-season closing the purchase of the franchise and reviewing team matters. They are expected to make several changes, but would like to sign coach Lindy Ruff, now a free agent, to a contract extension. The fate of GM Darcy Regier won’t be known until the sale, which has been approved by the NHL board of governors, becomes official…Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik and right winger Miroslav Satan, the two highest-paid Sabres, were looking for a stronger commitment from the organization in the future. Zhitnik asked to be traded before the deadline. Satan never requested a move, but made it clear he wants to play for a winner…The Sabres wound up with the fifth pick overall…
HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF
PENGUINS LOOKING FOR NEW COACH PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh Penguins GM Craig Patrick said the team needs a better communicator and teacher to head its rebuilding movement. Coach Rick Kehoe was fired April 15. The Penguins are coming off their worst year (27-44-6-5) since Mario Lemieux’s rookie season of 1984-85. A possible replacement is Nashville assistant coach Brent Peterson, who was a finalist for the Penguins’ coaching job in 1997, when Kevin Constantine was hired. Kehoe will remain with the team, likely as an assistant or scout. A former star winger, he has served the Penguins in various capacities for 29 years. “(Coaching is) about winning, and for whatever reasons, I didn’t win enough,” Kehoe said. “I think Rick’s a great individual,” Patrick said. “He did the best job he could and in…
Martin won’t change his coaching ways
It didn’t take long for fans and media to turn up the heat on Senators coach Jacques Martin. Following an ugly performance in Game 1 of the club’s playoff series against the New York Islanders, Ottawa fans were calling for Martin’s head, but things became a lot quieter after the Senators won the next two games. Still, it shows the importance of the Senators having success in the post-season and Martin is well aware that if the club doesn’t get out of the first round, there’s a good chance his tenure will be over. Martin has been accused of being a coach who has a difficult time adjusting in the playoffs. “That’s part of being in this business and I’m not going to change the way I do things,” he said. “We have a…
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