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June 1, 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.
Conte’s picks on the mark
It has been director of scouting David Contes legwork, judgment and skill at the draft table that have allowed the Devils to avoid a rebuilding phase over the last decade. But with nearly one-half of the Devils’ defense corps getting up in age, the next few seasons may put Conte’s foresight to its biggest test. “I think if you look at this team and there is any area you wonder about, it’s the age of some pretty critical people, guys like Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko,” said Conte of the two 39-year-old defensemen. “We’re happy with prospects like Paul Martin, Matt DeMarchi and David Hale. We think we’ll be OK in that area. “We’ve also made a lot of trades over the years to make a run at the Cup. We’ve traded…
DRAFT WATCHDOG
Here are Phoenix’s best and worst picks in the past 10 drafts. Astute selections are players delivering above and beyond expected from that spot in the draft. Disappointing picks are players performing exceedingly below expectations. ASTUTE SELECTIONS Daniel Briere, 24th overall, 1996 The first round of 1996 is destined to go down as the poorest crop in a generation. Fewer than l0 players have established themselves as regulars. Derek Morris (13th) and Briere are the best. Ossi Vaananen, 43rd overall, 1998 Ramzi Abid, 85th overall, 2000 Robert Esche, 139th overall, 1996 Trevor Letowski, 174th overall, 1996 Wyatt Smith, 233rd overall, 1997 David LeNeveu, 46th overall, 2002 DISAPPOINTING PICKS Dan Focht, 11th overall, 1996 Scott Kelman, 15th overall, 1999 Scott Langkow, 31st overall, 1993 Marc Chouinard, 32nd overall, 1995 Alexei Budayev, 43rd overall, 1993 Mats Lindgren, 15th overall, 1993 Patrick DesRochers, 14th overall, 1998 Brad Ralph, 53rd overall, 1999 PROGRESS…
DRAFT WATCHDOG
Here are San Jose’s best and worst picks in the past 10 drafts. Astute selections are players delivering above and beyond expected from that spot in the draft. Disappointing picks are players performing exceedingly below expectations. ASTUTE SELECTIONS Evgeni Nabokov, 219th overall, 1994 NHL teams would be wise to select a European goalie with a late pick every year. There’ll be a lot of misses, but the occasional Cechmanek, Vokoun, Nurminen and Nabokov, as well. Miikka Kiprusoff, 116th overall, 1995 Marco Sturm, 28th overall, 1996 Mikael Samuelsson, 145th overall, 1998 Mark Smith, 219th overall, 1997 Jim Fahey, 212th overall, 1998 Vaclav Varada, 89th overall, 1994 Niko Dimitrakos, 155th overall, 1999 Christian Ehrhoff, 106th overall, 2001 Jeff Friesen, 11th overall, 1994 DISAPPOINTING PICKS Teemu Riihijarvi, 12th overall, 1995 Angel Nikolov, 37th overall, 1994 Peter Roed, 38th overall, 1995 Terry Friesen, 55th overall, 1996 Tero Maatta, 41st overall, 2000 Andrei Zyuzin,…
Thornton charged
Boston captain Joe Thornton regrets his part in a hometown bar brawl that has landed him a June court date. “He kind of filled me in on what happened, he gave me some of the circumstances,” said Bruins GM Mike O’Connell of his phone conversation with the 23-year-old center. “He felt remorseful and he was sorry this all happened.” Thornton and his older brother, John, were arrested at Burly Bob’s Two Tavern in St. Thomas, Ont., early in the morning May 17. Thornton was charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of obstructing police. Police said Thornton was coming to his brother’s aid as John Thornton was being arrested. Joe wasn’t involved in the original incident. According to reports, Joe Thornton was pepper-sprayed in the face after pushing two…
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