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May 9, 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.
PLAYER POLL
Kerry Fraser isn’t just the youngest looking 50-year-old in NHL history, he’s also the league’s most consistent referee according to NHL players. In a poll of 30 players, one from each NHL team, 13 (43 per cent) said Fraser is the most reliable in calling infractions from one game to the next. “He’s not pretentious,” said Pittsburgh’s Joel Bouchard. “If he makes a mistake, he says ‘My fault’ and moves on.” “(With Fraser) you know what you can and can’t do and he’s honest about it,” said New Jersey’s John Madden. Fraser has been calling games since 1975, when Kansas City and California had teams and Bobby Orr was a Bruin. “He’s fair and he runs the game the way he wants to run it,” said Montreal’s Donald Audette. “But you have to adjust to…
PETER FORSBERG
If Peter Forsberg is not some kind of superhuman, then at the very least he is a special player. The comeback he authored in the past two years is inspirational, if not something to celebrate. His recovery began on May 11, 2001. The day before, he was knocked so hard into the boards in a playoff game that he required emergency surgery to remove his spleen. Four months later, the sensational Swede announced he was taking time off to heal from the splenectomy and offseason ankle surgery. On January 8, 2002, Forsberg returned to Denver to begin preparations for his comeback only to discover a couple days later that he needed more surgery to correct a further foot problem. He was overwhelmed with disappointment because more surgery meant that Forsberg would miss…
JOE THORNTON
When Joe Thornton was named captain of the Boston Bruins last fall, a truckload of pressure was backed up to his front door. But that was cool with him. Even though he was only 23 years old and the youngest captain in the league, he wanted that C on his sweater. He wanted the chance to be a leader. To him, it was the logical next step in his career as an emerging hockey superstar. “It’s a huge honor for me,” Thornton said on October 8, when announced as the club’s new captain, succeeding the departed Jason Allison. “I always play my hardest, and I will lead by example.” Thornton certainly did lead by example. He went out and finished third in the league scoring race - one of only three players to…
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Having had the opportunity to play against Joe Thornton and Peter Forsberg, and alongside my teammate Markus Naslund, I found it inspiring to watch these remarkable players take their game to the highest level. Joe is a force on the ice every shift and Peter showed once again that his brilliant playmaking skills are unrivalled. Meanwhile, Markus amazed me game-in and game-out with his consistency and scoring touch. I am pleased to congratulate Joe, Peter and Markus on their incredible seasons that earned the recognition of their peers as 2002-03 finalists for the most outstanding player award. As finalists, they will allocate a total of $40,000 to grassroots hockey programs of their choice, through the NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams fund. The winner will allocate $20,000 and the finalists $10,000 each. All three had…
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