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.

September 2, 2003

The Hockey News September 2, 2003

The three professional hockey clubs below presented formal challenges to the NHL to play for the Stanley Cup. Not surprisingly, the NHL refused to grant the request for a showdown in all three cases.<h2>1931 TULSA OILERS</h2>American Hockey Association Probably for the best, Tulsa&rsquo;s challenge not accepted; club had just five winning records in 13 AHA seasons.<h2>1932 CHICAGO SHAMROCKS</h2>American Hockey Association Shamrocks goaltender Mike Karakas later won Stanley Cup with the 1937-38 Chicago Black Hawks.<h2>1953 CLEVELAND BARONS</h2>American LeagueAfter failing to get into NHL via expansion, Barons GM Jim Hendy sought revenge by demanding chance to take NHL&rsquo;s trophy. &#9632;

COVER STORY

THE CHALLENGERS

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011949/8335701-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">(COVER: STAHLEY CUP, HHOF; ANDREYCHUK, SPORTS ACTION; ALL OTHERS, BBS ARCHIVES CONTENTS: JOHN BIONELLI)</figcaption></div>Aerosmith singer Steve Tyler didn&rsquo;t win the Cup, but he gladly posed with it after Devils winger Jay Pandolfo dropped by the band&rsquo;s studio with a silver surprise. &#9632;

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IN THIS ISSUE

DREAM ON

<div class="byline">- PAUL SHAHEEN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-07149/8338198-1-eng-US/f0027-072.jpg" title="f0027-07" width="375" height="113"></div>August brought both both closure and clarity to the United States League.Having defaulted on $3.8 million in loans, the Des Moines Buccaneers&rsquo; future was in doubt until an ownership group led by Minnesota attorney Brian Schoenbom officially purchased the team. After six weeks of negotiating, the deal finally took shape when Schoenbom - part-owner of the Sioux Falls Stampede - came to a new lease agreement with the Metro Ice Center, the Buccaneers&rsquo; home rink.Elsewhere, the league heard a much stiffer message regarding the use of 20-year-olds than the one USA Hockey had sent out earlier this summer. As now written, teams can place up to five 20-year-olds on their rosters, less any returnees who have played at least two years in the league and have committed to college.Previously, USA Hockey had indicated only college recruits aged 20 or older would count towards a team&rsquo;s 20-year-old player allotment. &#9632;

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DEPARTMENTS

UNITED STATES LEAGUE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-021359/8335870-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="251" height="395"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARIO LEMIEUX</figcaption></div>MARIO RETURNS We kinda thought he&rsquo;d return to play, but it was great news for hockey fans when Lemieux made it official. He&rsquo;s in great shape, too.AMERICAN GOLD After edging Canada in a semifinal game, the U.S. rallies to beat Russia for the gold at the Under-18 Junior World Cup.SEAMINGLY GOOD The Vancouver Canucks finally replace their rock-hard seamless glass that was at the center of the NHL&rsquo;s concussion debate.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03883/8335863-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="251" height="395"><figcaption class="caption-body">TODD GILL</figcaption></div>LETS SCRIMMAGE, BOYS Atlantic Coast League is reduced to one team (Winston-Salem) after four teams pull out to join a rival league.TODD GILL Grizzled 20-year NHL vet signs with Panthers and perpetuates notion that all old people migrate to Florida. Seriously, Todd, go get &lsquo;em.BEST SHAPE? NO KIDDING This is the training camp primer. Could we expect anything but a flood of braggarts claiming they&rsquo;re in the best shape ever. &#9632;

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PLUS MINUS

<div class="image-hero"><img title="cover-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/cover-011020/8338630-1-eng-US/cover-012.jpg"></div>September 2. 2003 Vol. 57 No. 1The Hockey NewsThe Stanley Cup QuestionAre Lord Stanley&rsquo;s wishes being followed?&lsquo;SUPER DAVE&rsquo; ANDREYCHUKStill a force at 40STICK BUYERS&rsquo; GUIDE SPECIAL SECTION &#9632;

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PRE-SEASON REPORT: INSIDE WORD ON NHL JOB BATTLES

EDITOR&rsquo;S NOTEBOOK Jason Kay Editor<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011904/8335746-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="292" height="328"></div>The passing of hockey&rsquo;s proverbial torch has been more like a game of hot potato since Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux made their hand-offs in the late 1990s.Eric Lindros, Jaromir Jagr, Dominik Hasek, Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, among others, have taken turns at being the face of the NHL, but none has come close to sustaining the magic like Nos. 99 and 66 did for the better part of 15 years.In the coming seasons, rising stars such as Joe Thornton, Marian Gaborik and Dany Heatley will become thronechasers, with Vincent Lecavalier and Ilya Kovalchuk potentially Joining the fray.Then there&rsquo;s Alexander Ovechkin.When the hockey world gathers in Raleigh, N.C., next June for the 2004 entry draft, Ovechkin will be the No. 1 overall pick. That, according to scouts, is a given.&ldquo;Ovechkin can turn a franchise around,&rdquo; one scout told The Hockey News.&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a special player, the Next One,&rdquo; said another. What will remain unclear until draft lottery day is who will lay claim to the exquisitely talented, 6-foot-2 Russian forward.Fittingly, the chances Ovechkin will land with Gretzky in Phoenix or Lemieux in Pittsburgh are decent. The legend-run clubs are projected in The Hockey News 2003-04 Yearbook to finish last in their respective conferences.Check out their depth charts, especially the green bluelines, and you&rsquo;ll see why. The Coyotes are anchored by Ossi Vaananen, Paul Mara, Brad Ference, Todd Simpson, Cale Hulse and David Tanabe. The Penguins are even more inexperienced. Their top-six includes Dick Tarnstrom, Josef Melichar, Michal Rozsival, BrooksOrpik, Dan Focht and Marc Bergevin. Of the dozen aforementioned players, only Bergevin has appeared in more than 10 playoff games.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021601/8335739-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="1000" height="2023"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARIO LEMIEUX (JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</figcaption></div>Of course, finishing last will not guarantee delivery of Ovechkin. The recent history of the NHL&rsquo;s draft lottery should deter any team from pulling a tank Job. Each of the past four draft lottery winners leap-frogged over the lastplace team to secure the top pick. (See accompanying graphic.)Coincidentally, the last team to successfully alter its historical course for the better by allegedly maneuvering to get the first overall pick was the 1983-84 Pittsburgh Penguins. They managed to get their hands on a kid named Lemieux.FLEURY FORECAST The Penguins, meantime, would be well-advised to focus on their most recent No. 1 overall pick, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. The phenom remains unsigned as training camp approaches. If he&rsquo;s still without a contract by this time next year, he could play 2004-05 as an overager in the Quebec League, then test unrestricted free agency. Fleury, born Nov. 28; 1984, wouldn&rsquo;t have to reenter the draft in 2005 because of a loophole in the CBA.&ldquo;If Fleury&rsquo;s not signed this year, he has got no incentive at all to sign next year,&rdquo; said the goalie&rsquo;s agent, Alan Walsh.The &lsquo;X&rsquo; factor is the CBA. A new collective agreement could change the terms for unsigned draft picks.&ldquo;That would be the risk you take,&rdquo; Walsh admitted, &ldquo;but that would be the risk the team takes as well.&rdquo;CONFERENCE CALL, PART I If the Columbus Blue Jackets were in the Eastern Conference, they&rsquo;d be a playoff threat. Their off-season additions - Darryl Sydor, Todd Marchant and Trevor Letowski - coupled with the emergence of goalie Marc Denis will make them a tough team to play against. Unfortunately for the Jackets, the West is too deep for them to crack the top eight. For what it&rsquo;s worth, Columbus could make a case for switching conferences - it&rsquo;s marginally further east than Atlanta, an Eastern Conference resident.CONFERENCE CALL, PART II We understand there are logistical reasons that St. John&rsquo;s is now in the American League&rsquo;s Western Conference, but it still offends our sense of geography. About the only thing the Newfoundland city is west of is Europe.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-031303/8335732-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="409" height="220"></div> &#9632;

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Legends in hunt for ‘Next One’

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0004-04" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-041058/8335777-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg"></div>The team that has finished last overall has maintained the first overall pick just four times in the draft lottery&rsquo;s nine-year history. Here are the results since 1995. &#9632;

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Draft lottery good deterrent

<div class="byline">- MARK BRENDER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-011909/8335832-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="954" height="1241"><figcaption class="caption-body">PASS THE BUCK?&nbsp;Martin Havlat is among a handful of elite unsigned fourth-year players. (JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</figcaption></div>Though their talent is precious, they have precious little leverage to make the most dough of it. And as a result, elite fourthyear restricted free agents such as Edmonton&rsquo;s Mike Comrie, Minnesota&rsquo;s Marian Gaborik, Ottawa&rsquo;s Martin Havlat and Tampa Bay&rsquo;s Brad Richards could all be working out away from their teams when training camp rolls around. It&rsquo;s a fair bet that one or two of them won&rsquo;t be around on opening night, either.Coming out of their three-year entry-level deals, players are two years away from salary arbitration eligibility. So when a team such as Ottawa comes in with a first offer for a player like Havlat at $900,000 and $1.1 million in a two-year deal, as sources suggest the Senators did, there&rsquo;s not much for a player to do but make a counter-proposal or wait for something more serious.Or, perhaps, to wait for one of the other three to sign first and set the going rate. Gaborik and Havlat are both represented by agent Alan Walsh, who says he&rsquo;s going to be watching closely what happens with Richards and Comrie.&ldquo;Those two situations may dictate that a guy like Gaborik doesn&rsquo;t get done until the end of the pre-season,&rdquo; he said.Gaborik has rejected the Wild&rsquo;s lone offer thus far of a four-year deal. Things with Havlat and the Senators are in a holding pattern.Richards&rsquo; agent Pat Morris only agrees with the &ldquo;no leverage&rdquo; theory up to a point. Richards has it, Morris says: it&rsquo;s called his track record.In discussions with Tampa, Morris is making the case that Richards has more points over his first three seasons (198) than any player in the past decade except for Paul Kariya.Over the past 20 seasons dating back to the high-scoring 1980s, only 19 players had better numbers their first three seasons than Richards.&ldquo;I think the world&rsquo;s a little slow (to pick up) on what he has done,&rdquo; Morris said.In the cases of all four players - and unsigned Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov can be added here as well - both sides enter negotiations knowing that missing training camp can throw off a player&rsquo;s entire season. Tampa saw it first-hand with Vincent Lecavalier in 2001-02. Chances are we&rsquo;ll see it again. &#9632;

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Terrific talent in waiting game

Mike Peca missed the entire 2000-01 campaign and, starting from that season&rsquo;s opening night, a total of364 days as a restricted free agent in a contract dispute with Buffalo. (He returned to the NHL as an Islander in 2001-02.) Here are five notable players since 1990 who have missed the most time (in days) due to contract disputes:<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-04558/8335901-1-eng-US/f0005-042.jpg" title="f0005-04" width="877" height="515"></div> &#9632;

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SITTING ON THE SIDELINES

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-06221/8335932-1-eng-US/f0005-062.jpg" title="f0005-06" width="282" height="446"><figcaption class="caption-body">MAGNUS ARVEDSON</figcaption></div>From around the NHL<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-05354/8335939-1-eng-US/f0005-052.jpg" title="f0005-05" width="168" height="141"></div>&bull; The Leafs&rsquo; GM search is nearing completion So is the human genome project.&bull; Now that Joe Thornton is doing community service, B&rsquo;s owner Jeremy Jacobs could do his part by using the Curtis Joseph money to instead sign Joe Nieuwendyk for help on the second line.&bull; The Hawks get back on the horse early in 2003-04; their first visit to Columbus is Oct. 16. Curfew, anyone?&bull; Compensation for poaching a Group II free agent no longer seems that onerous. An offer sheet of $4.9 million today would cost a team three first-rounders. Of course, the other team would match and no one&rsquo;s about to do it anyway, so forget we mentioned it.&bull; Sixteen-year-old kid phenom Sidney Crosby performed as advertised - and then some - at the world under-18s in the Czech Republic. The youngest player wearing the maple leaf was far and away the class of a relatively weak Canadian entry. It&rsquo;s Alexander Ovechkin first overall in 2004 and Crosby in 2005, both slam dunks.&bull; Are you still out there, Magnus Arvedson?&bull; CORRECTION A story in the August 26 issue mistakenly reported Mark Messier&rsquo;s newborn son Douglas is his first child. In fact, Messier&rsquo;s first son, Lyon, played with Little Caesar&rsquo;s minor midgets in Detroit last season and was drafted by the Ontario League&rsquo;s Sarnia Sting this summer. &#9632;

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SNAPSHOTS

The Hockey News FROM THE EDITORSMake the net bigger and goalie equipment smaller. Get rid of the red line and touch-up icing; bring back touch-up offsides and hitting on roaming netminders. Ban the trap and wipe out the instigator rule. Introduce the shootout and fulltime 4-on-4.Wait, we&rsquo;re just getting started. If you take a penalty, serve the full two minutes. If you take a dive, you deserve no less. The ice is too soft, the elbow and shoulder pads too hard. The refs are too inconsistent (and one too many), the schedule too compressed, the salaries too high, revenues too low, the season too long, sticks too pricey (and too breakable), tickets too expensive, injuries too frequent, respect among players too fleeting, goalies too good&hellip;and the complaints far too many.Point is, there are as many suggestions on how to improve the game as there are skate cuts in the ice after double overtime. To be sure, The Hockey News has taken up the cause of more than a few of them.Rarely, however, do ideas emerge that make so much sense with so little downside as this one:Just make the lines wider.We&rsquo;re talking about the bluelines and the center red line. Make them wider. Six feet wide should do the trick. All it takes is equal parts paint and courage. If the NHL doesn&rsquo;t have the nerve to give it a try, the various minor leagues should be tripping over themselves trying to be the first to make it work.<blockquote class="pullQuote">Rarely do ideas emerge that make so much sense with so little downside: Just make the lines wider.</blockquote>The idea is the brain child of one of hockey&rsquo;s most creative thinkers, former Phoenix GM Bobby Smith. Smith flushes out his concept in a guest column in The Hockey News 2003-04 Yearbook, on newsstands now. Pardon the shameless plug, but we believe if you haven&rsquo;t already read Smith&rsquo;s piece, you&rsquo;ll thank us after you do.Smith starts with a common premise that the game needs more offense. He concludes, like others, that the ice surface is too small. But he identifies the problem not just in the neutral zone where players don&rsquo;t have enough room to get up to full speed; it&rsquo;s in the offensive zone as well, where defensive players are so mobile that they can in effect outnumber attackers down low while still covering their point men.What to do? Smith recommends making the bluelines and center ice red line wider, from one foot to six feet. Remember, the puck has to be all the way outside the blueline to be offside. The two offensive zones immediately jump from 73 to 75 feet. The puck would have to cross fully over two lines to be a two-line pass. The neutral zone immediately jumps from 56 to 62 feet.The concept takes a while to register, but trust us, if you read between the lines it&rsquo;ll grow on you. Check out Smith&rsquo;s story in the Yearbook for a more complete explanation. In the meantime, we challenge anyone to find a reason to be against a same-sized 200-by-85-foot rink that has more room to play. &#9632;

What hockey world needs is new lines for our times

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012121/8335994-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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Elstons

<h2>BROOKS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN</h2>Herb Brooks may be gone, but players and fans all over the world will never forget the contributions he made to hockey.What I&rsquo;ll remember is the excitement I felt in 1980. When he was named head coach in the 2002 Olympics, that excitement returned.Herb Brooks was a terrific asset to American hockey and will be missed. I wonder if USA Hockey will create an award with his name on it?Dennis Lee, Santa Rita, Guam<h2>NEW WHA MUST RETAIN TRADITION</h2>With the possibility of an NHL work stoppage a year from now, I think the new World Hockey Association can be a viable alternative for fans.However, in order for the WHA to thrive, the league must be run with complete integrity. The key to success is to keep the game as traditional as possible.I understand some rules will be different and I can accept that. However, I don&rsquo;t want to see a cartoon on the ice.Jason Zimmermann, Kings Park, N.Y.LETTER OF THE WEEKGreat job on The Hockey News 2003-04 Yearbook! I especially liked Bobby Smith&rsquo;s brilliant suggestion of widening the red line and bluelines (to six feet) to effectively increase the size of the ice surface, which will lead to more scoring opportunities.I think this concept has the potential to open up the game and let the NHL&rsquo;s stars shine. Just imagine Colorado&rsquo;s top two lines being given a little more room to display their offensive skills.That said, as a Maple Leafs fan, I couldn&rsquo;t help but wonder why someone like Smith, someone with such an intelligent hockey mind, was never mentioned as a candidate for their GM position.The Leafs&rsquo; management, including Richard Peddie and Ken Dryden, have said they were looking for a star for the job. I have a suggestion for them: pick up The Hockey News.B.J. Lee, Cambridge, Ont.<h2>BROOKS SHOULD BE IN HALL</h2>The untimely passing of Herb Brooks reminds me again how he was greatly responsible for restoring American pride in February, 1980.Brooks engineered one of the greatest upsets in sports history and certainly the greatest sports moment in my lifetime. I hope one day he will be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he belongs.Edmund Vize, Harrison, N.Y.<h2>IS THIS COLORADO&rsquo;S YEAR?</h2>I believe Colorado GM Pierre LaCroix will cave to Avalanche fans&rsquo; wishes and acquire a veteran goalie for a Stanley Cup run.And for those who think the Avs won&rsquo;t win, consider this: every time the New Jersey Devils have won a Cup, the Avalanche have claimed supremacy the following season.D. Salisbury, Colorado Springs, CoL<h2>NEW CBA MUST SAVE HABS</h2>Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin recently stated the team&rsquo;s future is in danger with the current collective bargaining agreement.I therefore urge commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players&rsquo; Association boss Bob Goodenow to work out a new CBA that makes it possible for Canadian and small-market teams to stay where they are - and succeed.After all, can you imagine the NHL without hockey&rsquo;s proudest franchise?A. Schaefer, Freiburg, Germany<h2>GIVING GIGGY HIS DUE</h2>This is directed at those who said Anaheim goalie J-S Giguere was only successful because he had oversized equipment: you&rsquo;re crazy.Think about the two huge saves everybody remembers from last season&rsquo;s playoffs. He saved those with his stick and his skate.What&rsquo;s next, are people going to say he had a magic stick, or supersonic skates?And what about those long-reach glove saves Giguere made? Did his bulky chest save those? Sure, Giguere has big equipment, but it is obvious he has an abundance of talent and to say otherwise is ridiculous.Danielle Brooks, Corbeil, Ont. &#9632;

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0007-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021277/8336056-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">GROUP HUG After years of chaos, the Sabres may win more games this season and win back fans&rsquo; respect. (JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</figcaption></div>It isn&rsquo;t easy being a hockey fan in Buffalo.In recent years, ownership has been about as steady as Joe Nieuwendyk&rsquo;s knees, success more fleeting than a Firestone sighting in Ottawa, talent more difficult to keep than a straight face when listening to explanations of how Brett Hull had &ldquo;continuous possession&rdquo; of the puck in that 1999 debacle known as Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.Since the founding Knox family lost a long takeover battle with the Rigas family and the Rigases were subsequently charged with fraud in a nasty bankruptcy scandal, stability has been more elusive than a definitive list of Blackhawks in a strip club, hope in shorter supply than the New York Rangers&rsquo; development system.That could all be changing now.It might be wrong to say the Buffalo Sabres are a good team, but they appear to be better than the one that spent last season teetering on the brink of collapse.<h2>GDLISANO TO RESCUE</h2>The Sabres have new and seemingly stable ownership in the form of multi-millionaire Rochester businessman Tom Golisano. With Golisano putting his cash up front, the Sabres have been able to submit a plan that allows them to emerge from bankruptcy and the day-to-day control of the NHL. In his short time in the owner&rsquo;s suite, he has installed a new business team (actually it&rsquo;s the old Knox team headed by former president Larry Quinn) and has taken the leash off Darcy Regier, allowing the beleaguered GM to not only keep his job, but to execute trades and offer contracts.Jim Kelley Guest Columnist<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011921/8336049-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="294" height="376"></div>Golisano and company also re-signed coach Lindy Ruff and swung a significant three-way trade, acquiring Calgary centers Chris Drury and Steve Begin for defenseman Rhett Warrener and prospect Keith Ballard (who went to Colorado). Regier also obtained defenseman Andy Delmore from Nashville for a third round draft pick, a move that should put sizzle into the Sabres&rsquo; largely stake-in-the-heart power play.On paper, Buffalo looks more potent with Drury set to join veteran scorer Miroslav Satan and a crew of kids that includes Tim Connolly, Maxim Afinogenov, Taylor Pyatt, Daniel Briere and Ales Kotalik. The kids will be under pressure to move into the prominent scoring roles experts predicted for them, but that, too, is a good thing.Delmore had defensive liabilities, but he scores from the point with the best in the league and he joins a group that is young, but reasonably experienced and defense-minded. Martin Biron, Mika Noronen and Ryan Miller will vie for the No. 1 job in goal (and one of them could be dealt for even more help up front).<h2>PLAYOFF CONTENDERS?</h2>If it all comes together as planned, the Sabres will contend for the playoffs this season. That couldn&rsquo;t come at a better time as the new ownership group tries to win over once-loyal fans who have soured big-time.Buffalo is a great hockey town; television ratings of last year&rsquo;s Cup final saw Western New York draw the third-largest audiences among U.S. television markets. That&rsquo;s pretty good considering the latest census numbers show Buffalo is no longer one of even the 50 largest markets in the U.S. But that passion hasn&rsquo;t translated into support for the team. Beleaguered fans have taken a &ldquo;show me&rdquo; approach. Given past ownership problems and the club&rsquo;s penchant for running off popular players such as Michael Peca and Pat LaFontaine and former coach-of-the-year Ted Nolan, it&rsquo;s understandable.Quinn and company - a group that orchestrated many of the unpopular moves of the past - know that getting the fans back can&rsquo;t be done with just a new face in the owner&rsquo;s chair or a new player or two. Still, they&rsquo;ve charged Regier with making the Sabres into an entertaining team capable of competing for the playoffs now.If he&rsquo;s successful, the fans will return. With the changes so far, people have come to at least understand these aren&rsquo;t the same old Sabres any longer.That&rsquo;s a start. For a franchise that recently was just days away from having someone padlock the door, it all adds up to a good thing.In Buffalo, we tend to take whatever good things come our way. They are, after all, not all that easy to come by.- JIM KELLEY HAS COVERED THE SABRES FOR THE BUFFALO NEWS AND <a href="http://FOXSPORTS.COM">FOXSPORTS.COM</a> &#9632;

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Brighter days ahead in Buffalo

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-05351/8336087-1-eng-US/f0007-052.jpg" title="f0007-05" width="396" height="399"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03793/8336101-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="123" height="99"></div>The Sabres&rsquo; biggest disappointments - aside from recent office problems - have largely come in the post-season. Here&rsquo;s a sample of Buffalo&rsquo;s playoff angst:</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-04512/8336094-1-eng-US/f0007-042.jpg" title="f0007-04" width="102" height="212"></div>1. FINAL FIZZLESThe Sabres have played for the Cup just twice in franchise history, in 1975 and 1999. Both times they lost, in six games, at home.2. NO GOALThe pain just won&rsquo;t go away. In a Buffalonian&rsquo;s mind, Brett Hull has his foot in the crease when he scores the Cup-winning goal in 1999 for Dallas. The rules are supposed to be zero tolerance. The post-game explanation is comic to most, but brings tears to the eye of a Sabres fan.3. WHERE&rsquo;S THE REVIEW?In 1998 the Sabres get a letter of apology from the NHL after Kerry Fraser refuses to acknowledge or review a Sabre goal against Washington. In 2000, Philadelphia&rsquo;s John LeClair scores a goal that passes through the outside of Buffalo&rsquo;s net. The Sabres lose both series.</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>4. POP FLYIn 2001, 60 seconds from closing out Pittsburgh in Game 6 of the second round, - a deflected puck is sent high in the air in Buffalo&rsquo;s end. Everyone sees it except goalie Dominik Hasek. The puck Lands at his feet and Mario Lemieux taps it home. The Pens win in 0T and take Game 7 on another controversial play. It is Hasek&rsquo;s last game as a Sabre. &#9632;

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BUFFALO BASHING

U.S.A.: Letters, The Hockey News, P.O. Box 904, Buffalo, N.Y., 14240-9947.Canada: Letters, The Hockey News, 25 Sheppard Ave.W., Suite 100, Toronto, Ont., M2N 6S7E-mail: <a href="mailto:aproteau@thehockeynews.com">aproteau@thehockeynews.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com">www.thehockeynews.com</a> Include name, hometown, province/state and phone number.Submissions will be edited. &#9632;

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<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012009/8336226-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="150" height="133"></div>Todd Simpson, D, PhxWhitewater rafting in British Columbia<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021504/8336219-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="150" height="133"></div>Derian Hatcher, D, DetRunning own boat racing company with brother Kevin<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031056/8336212-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="150" height="131"></div>Krzysztof Oliwa, LW, CgyDesigning own clothing line, &lsquo;K-0 Gear&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04549/8336205-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="150" height="131"></div>Joe Juneau, C, MtlPiloting airplane he built himself<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05386/8336198-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="150" height="131"></div>Darren McCarty, RW, DetLead singer for Michigan band &lsquo;Grinder&rsquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-06307/8336191-1-eng-US/f0008-062.jpg" title="f0008-06" width="150" height="131"></div>P.J. Stock, C, BosAttending five wedding ceremonies<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-07227/8336184-1-eng-US/f0008-072.jpg" title="f0008-07" width="150" height="131"></div>Jan Bulis, C, MtlMotorcycling in Czech Republic<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-08185/8336177-1-eng-US/f0008-082.jpg" title="f0008-08" width="150" height="131"></div>Brad Stuart, D, SJAttending Pearl Jam concerts, meeting band<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-09150/8336170-1-eng-US/f0008-092.jpg" title="f0008-09" width="150" height="131"></div>Jason Allison, C, LAFollowing major league baseball&rsquo;s San Diego Padres<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-10127/8336163-1-eng-US/f0008-102.jpg" title="f0008-10" width="150" height="131"></div>Jose Theodore, G, MtlPlaying electric guitar with Quebec singer Eric Lapointe<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-11112/8336156-1-eng-US/f0008-112.jpg" title="f0008-11" width="150" height="131"></div>J-L Grand-Pierre, D, ClbMotorcycling with teammates for Columbus-area charity &#9632;

f0008-01

FUN IN THE SUN

<div class="byline">BY NADIA FEZZANI & TOM WORGO</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-12" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-1287/8336257-1-eng-US/f0008-122.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">SMARTEN UP!&nbsp;Georges Laraque preaches the power of learning at Edmonton-area schools. (NADIA FEZZANI)</figcaption></div>The vast majority of NHLers see the off-season as a chance to unwind and escape the physical and mental rigors of an 82-game season, plus playoffs.To wit: this summer, new Red Wing Derian Hatcher ran his own boat racing company with older brother Kevin; Montreal&rsquo;s Joe Juneau used his aeronautic degree to work on the hydroplane he built himself; Darren McCarty toured Michigan as the lead singer of a rock band named &ldquo;Grinder&rdquo;; and Calgary&rsquo;s Krzysztof Oliwa designs his own clothing line, &ldquo;K-O Gear&rdquo;.However, for some players, the summer months serve as a base for building a life after hockey, or in Georges Laraque&rsquo;s case, bettering the community he represents.<h2>LARAQUE CHAMPIONS EDUCATION</h2>&ldquo;I try to do as much as I can for charity and a lot of people think I do too much,&rdquo; said the Oilers enforcer, who works tirelessly for more than six charitable organizations, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, the Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention project and the Seats for Kids program, to which he contributed $62,000 of his own money to buy half a suite at Edmonton&rsquo;s Skyreach Centre so disadvantaged children can experience NHL hockey. &ldquo;But I think I don&rsquo;t do enough.&rdquo;Children and education top Laraque&rsquo;s off-ice priorities. So far, he has visited 50 schools in Edmonton - be it elementary or high school, he never refuses a request - encouraging kids to pursue their studies.&ldquo;School is the only way you guarantee yourself a future in life and society today,&rdquo; Laraque said. &ldquo;A lot of kids dream to play sports (professionally), but the chances are so slim. That&rsquo;s why you have to put all of your energy into school.&rdquo;Sylvain Cote, meanwhile, put his off-ice energy into something else during his 19-year NHL career - fishing. The defenseman, who retired last season, spends most summers on one of his three boats and counts a 350-pound blue marlin and 150-pound tuna as two of his most prized catches.Now Cote is turning that passion into a second career.After spending $1.2 million on a custom-built 58-foot boat, Cote founded a charter business, Bill Fishing International. Based out of Ocean City, Md., he aims to take fishers on day trips to the Atlantic Ocean.<h2>COTE&rsquo;S HOBBY BECOMES BUSINESS</h2>&ldquo;It became such a big hobby and he had such firn, he wanted to start a business,&rdquo; said Jeff Halpern, Cote&rsquo;s former Capitals teammate. &ldquo;He has more enjoyment watching other people catch a fish and take it home.&rdquo;Cote, who played 10 years with Washington and also spent time in Hartford, Chicago, Toronto and Dallas, knows he&rsquo;s lucky. Many athletes have no idea what to do when they retire. He, on the other hand, has worked toward starting his business for a decade.&ldquo;I got a 41-foot boat to get my feet wet in the sportfishing thing back in 1997,&rdquo; he said.Cote&rsquo;s first big job came in early August, when six people paid him $1,500 each to take them fishing in the White Marlin Open, a $2.3-million tournament Cote called the world&rsquo;s biggest and one he&rsquo;s fished in himself every year since 1997.In the winter, Cote will be based out of Stuart, Fla., with the idea of organizing excursions to Mexico, Panama and the Bahamas. Five years after starting the business, it&rsquo;s clear his zest for fishing hasn&rsquo;t subsided.&ldquo;I love getting up at four or four-thirty in morning and getting the boat ready, even cleaning and waxing it,&rdquo; said Cote, who often dons a Hawaiian shirt with a fish design for his trips. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all part of fishing. I love every aspect of it.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0008-12

FEATURES & COLUMNS

Summer: NHLers relax…or rev up

<h2>AMERICANS WIN UNDER-18 EVENT</h2>PIESTANY, Slo. The U.S. select team won its first-ever gold medal at the 2003 under-18 Junior World Cup, rallying to beat Russia 3-2 in the championship game. Eric Lampe scored two goals, including the winner, as Team USA finished with a 5-0-0 record. Russia held a 2-0 first period lead. Chris Mueller had the other American goal. Goaltender Cory Schneider stopped 32 shots, including all 13 in the third period. Seven-time defending champion Canada finished fourth, losing 4-3 in overtime to the U.S. in a semifinal game and 8-2 to the Czech Republic in the bronze medal game.<h2>OFFICIAL WANTS BAN ON CHECKING</h2>TORONTO The president of the Canada Safety Council is urging an end to full contact for youths playing hockey. &ldquo;If we don&rsquo;t ban bodychecking, minor hockey as we know it in Canada will come to an end,&rdquo; said Emile Therien. The Canadian Institute for Health Information found 62 per cent of injuries in youth hockey were a result of checking. &ldquo;This is an important health and safety issue and there should be a national standard,&rdquo; Therien said.<h2>JUDGE DISMISSES DEFAMATION SUIT</h2>MONTREAL Hockey commentator Jean Perron has had his $60,000 defamation suit against a book publisher dismissed by a judge. Perron, the former coach of the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques and now an on-air analyst, claimed the satirical work Les Perronismes ridiculed him and undermined his dignity and reputation. Justice Daniele Mayrand said that as a public figure, Perron &ldquo;could be subject to wisecracks, satire, good-natured ridicule and may be caricatured without his consent.&rdquo; The book makes light of Perron butchering phrases, including &ldquo;they rolled out the silver platter for him,&rdquo; and &ldquo;there&rsquo;s too much intestinal fighting among the Senators.&rdquo; &#9632;

HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF

<div class="byline">BY VICKIE LINEGAR</div>Hockey wives look like they have it all - an athletic hockey husband who makes lots of money and jet-sets around the continent. What more could a woman want?Talk to Rob Murray&rsquo;s wife and that myth is dispelled. The attractive ladies who walk on the ice during the pregame presentations may look like they have it all, but it can be a lonely life.Caroline Murray has been following her husband&rsquo;s career for 13 years. When they met during 1989-90, he was playing for the Washington Capitals, not far from her family home in Virginia.More than 1,000 AHL and 107 NHL games later, she has experienced more than a dozen call-ups, demotions and trades. In the past five years, Murray has gone from Springfield to Hamilton to Philadelphia, back to Springfield to Saint John and back to Springfield again last season.In that time, Murray became the AHL&rsquo;s all-time penalty minute leader (then lost it to Dennis Bonvie last season) and moved to fifth in AHL games played with 1,018.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011841/8336312-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg" title="f0009-01" width="592" height="522"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Murray family at game No. 1,000.</figcaption></div>At home, Caroline fosters a stable living environment for children Taylor and Zachery and provides Rob a life dimension beyond hockey. What happens at the office stays there.&ldquo;Hockey is my husband&rsquo;s job,&rdquo; Caroline said. &ldquo;If he were an accountant, I wouldn&rsquo;t stare over his shoulder, running numbers saying you&rsquo;re doing this or that wrong. I&rsquo;d be irritated if someone was doing that to me.&rdquo;The hardest part of a hockey wife&rsquo;s life is uprooting the family home and adjusting to a new environment.&ldquo;Being a wife or a girlfriend of a player, you move city to city,&rdquo; Caroline said. &ldquo;When he goes to a new rink, he immediately has 25 friends. I move to the city and I don&rsquo;t know anybody.&rdquo;On the flip side, moving from town to town transformed seven-year-old Taylor from a shy introvert into an outgoing child. Travelling around the AHL with her hockey player dad has taught her how to meet people.During her kindergarten year, she moved three times - starting off in New Jersey, then to school in Saint John, N.B., and eventually to Virginia.&ldquo;She realized that if she doesn&rsquo;t talk to (other kids),&rdquo; said Caroline of Taylor, &ldquo;then she won&rsquo;t have anybody to play with other than mom and dad.&rdquo;Murray, 36, won&rsquo;t be back with Springfield this season, but he has expressed an interest in coaching if his playing services go unwanted. One thing is for sure - the family will be behind him all the way. &#9632;

f0009-01

Portrait: Life of an AHL wife

When Lord Stanley donated a trophy to the hockey world in 1893, he did so with specific instructions. He specified the trophy was to be awarded to the champion hockey club of Canada. Rather than belonging to any one league, the trophy was to be a challenge Cup. He appointed two trustees who would look out for the best interests of the Cup and its competitions.This story examines how closely Lord Stanley&rsquo;s original intentions have been followed. Complicating matters is the fact there is no known copy of the original terms of his gift. What we do know is that as times changed - the growth of professional hockey, the establishment and eventual dominance of the NHL, to the point where it has long been the unquestioned best league in the world - the terms of the Cup&rsquo;s competition changed with it.The reader can decide if the Stanley Cup&rsquo;s path has been a proper one. Archival research was done by Toronto freelance journalist Chris Tessaro. &#9632;

THE ISSUE

<div class="byline">BY MARK BRENDER &#x2022; Senior Writer</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011978/8336413-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="828" height="1064"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-021431/8336406-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="934" height="783"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Original Stanley Cup, 1893</figcaption></div>&ldquo;History,&rdquo; once said Napoleon, that feisty little guy in the comers, &ldquo;is a myth we all agree to believe.&rdquo; Where the hockey world is concerned, the unbreakable link between the Stanley Cup and the NHL is something everyone has agreed to believe.The process has played out for more than seven decades: if you defeat all NHL challengers during a hockey season, you get the Cup. By now, one follows from the other as naturally as the seasons themselves. Indeed, we couldn&rsquo;t imagine it being any other way.No one can deny the association between the Stanley Cup and the NHL has been beneficial for both parties. Through its link to the best hockey league in the world, the Stanley Cup has become the most famous chalice in professional sport. From Montreal to Moose Jaw to Moscow, it is universally revered. It has assumed mythical stature because it is the only team trophy that doubles as a permanent record of all who can claim to its glory.The NHL, meanwhile, has used the Stanley Cup as a promotional tool without peer. If you Get Cup Crazy, you get the idea. There&rsquo;s no such thing as the NHL playoffs; it&rsquo;s the Stanley Cup playoffs. It doesn&rsquo;t matter that Lord Stanley&rsquo;s original bowl has been out of active service for nearly 40 years; the replacement is treated like royalty. People rush to get a glimpse of it, to touch it, to kiss it The demand for Stanley Cup sightings is so strong the NHL saw fit 10 years ago to have a stand-in replica of the replica (!) on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame whenever the &ldquo;real&rdquo; Cup goes on tour.Given the millions inspired by the Cup, the economic question has to be asked: how many millions has the Cup earned? How many fans stay tuned to hockey in mid-June just to see the Cup lifted overhead at the end of the night? The NHL trademarked &ldquo;Stanley Cup&rdquo; in 1971. How much money has the NHL made off its exclusive ability to license and market the Cup&rsquo;s name and image? It is the one pro sports trophy whose &ldquo;owner&rdquo; simply couldn&rsquo;t afford to have it taken away.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011752/8336399-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg" title="f0011-01" width="2281" height="1642"><figcaption class="caption-body">THE ORIGINALS&nbsp;The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association became the first Stanley Cup winners in 1893.</figcaption></div>Not that we&rsquo;d want to.It remains open to debate, however, whether the Cup&rsquo;s travels were ever meant to end up here, with Lord Stanley&rsquo;s mug under the effective control not of the Cup&rsquo;s two Canadian trustees, but of a league composed of 80 per cent U.S.-based teams. Ultra-Canadian nationalists may note the Cup was intended to be awarded to the &ldquo;champion hockey club of the Dominion of Canada&rdquo; and see with dismay the past 10 Cup winners from the United States. Some might even take a more strident view towards the Cup&rsquo;s path and those who have been responsible for its safe-keeping - a view of history more in line with the late U.S. anthropologist E.A. Hooten. &ldquo;History,&rdquo; Hooten once said, &ldquo;is principally the inaccurate narration of events which ought not to have happened.&rdquo;Let it be said The Hockey News is not endorsing that position, except perhaps as it relates to collective bargaining agreement discussions.But it needs to be asked: would Lord Stanley have approved of the direction the Cup has taken? In the same way that it is relevant what Canada&rsquo;s Fathers of Confederation meant in their declarations, or what the Founding Fathers of the U.S. Constitution meant, LordStanley&rsquo;s original intent matters. And given his wishes back in 1892, as far as we can &bdquo; tell, there&rsquo;s nothing to indicate he felt a league such as the NHL - or anyone other than two Stanley Cup trustees, for that matter - should have ultimate control over the Cup&rsquo;s competition.In the absence of Lord Stanley&rsquo;s original paperwork detailing the terms of his gift a document long since i lost to the hockey world - there is no way to say for sure that he would disapprove, either.It&rsquo;s a debate that could rage on into multiple overtimes among hockey historians and legal scholars. Maybe that&rsquo;s appropriate for a Cup that has been dumped into canals, been left on street corners, climbed mountains, steamed in a Swedish sauna and been to innumerable A-list parties. Ah, if only the Cup could talk. All we can do is tell its largely untold story.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-021253/8336392-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="334" height="598"><figcaption class="caption-body">Stanley Cup, 1894-1927</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-03832/8336385-1-eng-US/f0011-032.jpg" title="f0011-03" width="362" height="1159"><figcaption class="caption-body">Stanley Cup, 1928-1947</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-04641/8336378-1-eng-US/f0011-042.jpg" title="f0011-04" width="393" height="817"><figcaption class="caption-body">Stanley Cup, 1948-today</figcaption></div><h2>STANLEY CUP ORIGINS</h2>Frederick Arthur was upper crust. He was better known by his titles: Lord Stanley of Preston, the 16th Earl of Derby, the sixth Governor General of Canada.When he landed in Ottawa in 1888, Lord Stanley quickly became a hockey fan, thanks in part to his seven hockey-playing sons. He ordered a rink to be built on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the governor general&rsquo;s official residence. Before his term as governor general ended, he asked one of his aides to read a letter for what would turn out to be a historic announcement. The date was March 18, 1892, and the scene was a dinner of the Ottawa Amateur Athletic Association.&ldquo;I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion&hellip;There does not appear to be any such outward sign of a championship at present and considering the general interest which matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning team.&rdquo;The bowl inscribed with &lsquo;Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup&rsquo; was purchased from a London silversmith for 10 guineas - about $50 - and shipped to Ottawa. It was first awarded to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1893. Lord Stanley himself never saw the presentation; he returned to England midway through that season and never returned. He died in 1907.The closest thing on record to Lord Stanley&rsquo;s original terms of gift is a document titled &ldquo;Stanley Cup Trust&rdquo; written, likely by the then-Stanley Cup trustees, sometime after 1907. The document, found at Hall of Fame archives, begins with a preface, explaining the Cup was donated as a challenge cup to be held each year by &ldquo;the champion hockey club of the Dominion.&rdquo; It says Lord Stanley selected two trustees to oversee the Cup and its competitions and lists five conditions laid out by Lord Stanley, among them:&bull; Winning teams are responsible for engraving their names on the Cup (at their expense).&bull; The Cup is to remain a challenge cup, and not to become property of any team, even if won more than once.&bull; In the case of dispute over a club&rsquo;s claim, the Cup is to be awarded by the two Stanley Cup trustees as they think right, their decision being absolute.&bull; Should either of the original two trustees resign or drop out, the other appoints a replacement.The two original trustees, Ottawa publisher Philip Ross and sheriff John Sweetland, were chosen by Lord Stanley himself. But it wasn&rsquo;t long before the letter of his intentions, if not the spirit, was broken. In 1917, the trustees accepted a challenge from the SeattleMetropolitans, and for the first time a U.S.-based team was awarded the trophy. In 1926, the 10-team NHL, having outlasted all other major professional hockey leagues, took over control of the Cup.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021517/8336371-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="751" height="501"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03989/8336364-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="756" height="498"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04589/8336357-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="758" height="497"><figcaption class="caption-body">To the victors go the spoils of Stanley: From left to right, Montreal&rsquo;s Jean Beliveau in 1965; Calgary&rsquo;s Lanny McDonald in 1989; Mario Lemieux in 1991.</figcaption></div>The NHL&rsquo;s exclusivity was cemented in 1947, when the trustees in effect signed the Cup over to the league. Trustees Ross and J. Cooper Smeaton agreed to &ldquo;delegate the League full authority to determine and amend from time to time the conditions of competition for the Stanley Cup, including the qualifications of challengers.&rdquo; The 1947 agreement also states the league has the right to return the Cup to the trustees at any time, at its discretion. The trustees can claim the Cup back if the NHL ceases to be the best pro league in the world as determined by playing caliber; or in the event of &ldquo;dissolution or other termination&rdquo; of the league.&ldquo;I understand that the Stanley Cup, obviously, belongs to the National Hockey League,&rdquo; said former Hall of Fame chairman Scotty Morrison, one of the two current trustees. &ldquo;I understand our responsibility as trustees is very limited.&rdquo;The other trustee, former longtime NHL employee/consultant Brian O&rsquo;Neill, agrees. The 1947 pact, he says, &ldquo;is just putting into agreement what was actual fact.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-05423/8336350-1-eng-US/f0012-052.jpg" title="f0012-05" width="218" height="354"><figcaption class="caption-body">SCOTTY MORRISON, TRUSTEE</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-06343/8336343-1-eng-US/f0012-062.jpg" title="f0012-06" width="218" height="354"><figcaption class="caption-body">BRIAN O&rsquo;NEILL, TRUSTEE</figcaption></div><h2>LEGAL VIEWS</h2>The Hockey News consulted four lawyers based in Canada - three of them experts in the field of trusts and one a litigator - for their opinions on the 1947 agreement. They did not want their names used for publication.The trust lawyers were all of the opinion that Ross and Smeaton delegated their responsibility as trustees to a tenuous point; in particular, the provision that disputes between the trustees and the league be settled by an arbitration board rather than the trustees themselves raised concern. So did the trustees&rsquo; promise not to accept any challenges from outside the NHL.&ldquo;Trustees cannot delegate their duties to carry out substantive terms of the trust,&rdquo; said one lawyer.&ldquo;It is incontrovertible in my opinion,&rdquo; another wrote, &ldquo;that trustees cannot walk away from the trust by passing to someone else the trust asset and allowing that other person to set trust terms of his choosing&hellip;Could someone argue that what the 1947 trustees did do was beyond their legal powers, and the Memorandum of Agreement (with the NHL) is invalid? Wow!&rdquo; Truth is, there&rsquo;s no shortage of mischief that could be potentially stirred up. Among potential angles:1) The &lsquo;Challenge&rsquo; Cup While no doubt damaging to the Cup&rsquo;s mystique, the idea nevertheless holds a certain fleeting appeal: Form a team with some buddies, go out and win the beer league championship and mount a &lsquo;challenge&rsquo; to get your name on the Stanley Cup! Literalist nitpickers might even argue heading into the big game that it is not the 2003 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils they should face, but the remnants of the 1969 Montreal Canadiens, the last winners of the &lsquo;original&rsquo; Stanley Cup bowl.And if you believe there&rsquo;s any chance at all of getting the NHL onside, you&rsquo;ve been drinking too much beer.Since 1926 there have been three formal challenges to play for the Cup from non-NHL teams: the 1931 Tulsa Oilers and 1932 Chicago Shamrocks, both of the American Hockey Association, and the 1953 Cleveland Barons (AHL). The NHL brushed them aside.Actually, make that four challenges. The Lethbridge (Alta.) Community College Kodiaks sent a challenge to NHL president John Ziegler during the players&rsquo; strike of 1992. The Kodiaks haven&rsquo;t been heard from since.2) The Canada Issue It&rsquo;s tough to know what Lord Stanley would have thought of the Cup being awarded to the best team in North America, not Canada, or of the fact that 36 of 76 Cup winners since 1927 have come from the United States. O&rsquo;Neill doesn&rsquo;t have any concern Lord Stanley&rsquo;s wishes are not being followed.&ldquo;No, none at all,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The trustees are still Canadian by terms of the agreement.&rdquo;And as for the case that Lord Stanley&rsquo;s intent was to promote the development of hockey in Canada, as it is written in the preamble to the 1947 agreement, O&rsquo;Neill said: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that was his purpose. He just wanted to recognize the best in the sport at the time.&rdquo;3) A Charitable Trust? If Lord Stanley appointed trustees, does that mean the Stanley Cup constituted a charitable-trust? Was part of the purpose not to promote the development of hockey in Canada, which encourages good health and physical fitness, something clearly of benefit to the country as a whole?Here the trust lawyers disagree. One holds that courts would never regard as charitable an award that has become associated with professional sport, even though it was an amateur game only at the time of the Cup&rsquo;s birth. Another lawyer - admittedly a hockey fan frustrated with the NHL&rsquo;s high ticket prices and scandalized over what he says is the trustees&rsquo; abdication of responsibility - argues a case could be made before the courts. And on the slim chance a court agrees, &ldquo;It would seem to me you&rsquo;ve got a whole bunch of years of a lot of money being made (off the Cup) and nobody accounting for it,&rdquo; he said.4) The Annual Trophy Lord Stanley wanted the trophy to be given out each season, so what happens if there is no NHL season in 2004-05? &ldquo;If (a lockout) happens, it happens, but it&rsquo;s not going to affect anything,&rdquo; O&rsquo;Neill said. &ldquo;Can you imagine us awarding the Cup to some other league because we happen to be on hiatus?&rdquo;Fun as these issues might be to debate, at least one of the lawyers believes they&rsquo;re moot.&ldquo;In the absence of the original trust deed all such questions are fanciful,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;Perhaps at the end of the day they should remain fanciful. It is difficult to see over the years what harm has been done and I cannot imagine there is anyone who would award the Cup to the surviving Canadian hockey club when an American club goes on to win the championship of the year.&rdquo;He might be surprised. More than a century after it was born, the Stanley Cup still inspires people to do incredible, unpredictable things.- WITH FILES FROM CHRIS TESSARO &#9632;

f0010-01

Stanley’s UNTOLD STORY

As a Stanley Cup trustee, Red Dutton wasn&rsquo;t about to let the 1947 agreement handing over control of the Cup to the NHL get in the way of doing what he felt was right.Letters from Dutton to fellow trustee J. Cooper Smeaton, preserved in the Hall of Fame archives, reveal a man who took seriously Lord Stanley&rsquo;s original conditions - and someone prepared to act if he felt they weren&rsquo;t being followed. Dutton seemed particularly concerned that Canadian teams always have a chance to compete for the Cup.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011929/8336468-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="220" height="353"><figcaption class="caption-body">RED DUTTON</figcaption></div>On June 20, 1966, one year before the NHL expanded to 12 teams (two of which were on Canadian soil), Dutton wrote to Smeaton: &ldquo;[G]iving some thought to the intended expansion of the National Hockey League&hellip;I am a little concerned regarding the obligations in the event that there is a future expansion&hellip;to include European teams and in the event that the Canadiens and Toronto should discontinue to be a member of the National League. This does not appear to be probable but it is not impossible and I would like to have your reactions.&rdquo;On June 28 Dutton wrote Smeaton another letter, which read in part:&ldquo;If our agreement is definitely spelled out I don&rsquo;t care whether it is (Clarence) Campbell or the next President, if I have an obligation as a Trustee of the Stanley Cup I intend to fulfill that obligation. If it is not too much trouble I would like to get a copy of the agreement with the National Hockey League and I will have our attorney look this over and I think the less said about what I have in mind the better if you so agree.&rdquo;Dutton wasn&rsquo;t fond of the NHL administration of the day to begin with. The former player, coach and owner of the Brooklyn Americans, Dutton became NHL president after being forced to shut down the Americans in 1943. He expected to get the Americans back into the league following WWII, but it never happened. Dutton blamed the New York Rangers and the NHL for blocking the Americans&rsquo; return.Smeaton, apparently, also had concerns about the 1947 deal. In 1965 he asked his lawyer to draft an opinion on the validity of the 1947 agreement. The lawyer concluded that although the provisions of Lord Stanley&rsquo;s deed of gift had been departed from, it wasn&rsquo;t clear how the departures could be rectified, nor how anyone had suffered because of the changes. &#9632;

f0012-01

Trustee Dutton noted concern

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0013-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011756/8336523-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">ANDREW CASSELS I COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (JIM MCISAAC/BBS)</figcaption></div>Edmonton&rsquo;s arena is scheduled to be renamed in October, but for now it&rsquo;s still called the Skyreach Centre. Here&rsquo;s the name of each team&rsquo;s home rink and the first season it hosted NHL action.The fourth-year Columbus Blue Jackets figure to be one of the NHL&rsquo;s most improved teams in 2003-04, after adding proven players such as Darryl Sydor, Todd Marchant and Trevor Letowski in the off-season and drafting skilled Russian winger Nikolai Zherdev.Perhaps as important, though, was Columbus&rsquo;s ability to re-sign No. 1 center Andrew Cassels to a two-year, $6.275-million deal - especially with last year&rsquo;s point leader, Ray Whitney, set to suit up in Detroit this season.TRAINING CAMP PRIMER It&rsquo;s almost that time of year again, when players get out of the sun and into iced arenas. The NHL team reports focus on the upcoming training camps, which begin in early September. We tell you where and when each team is holding camp; the details of their first preseason game; and the positions that will see the most intense battles for NHL jobs. (See pg. 28 for entire NHL pre-season schedule.)COACHING STAFFS IN SPOTLIGHT The &ldquo;Spotfight&rdquo; boxes feature each team&rsquo;s coaching staff. The head coach is pictured. Assistant and associate coaches are listed in alphabetical order followed by, when applicable, goalie coaches/consultants and strength & conditioning coaches. Goalie coaches/consultants are denoted by &lsquo;(GO)&rsquo;; strength & conditioning coaches by &lsquo;(S&C)&rsquo;. &#9632;

f0013-01

NHL TEAM REPORTS

HOME SWEET HOME

<div class="byline">- DAN WOOD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-03901/8336554-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="273" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021231/8336561-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="210" height="275"></div>With the added presence of former Red Wings center Sergei Fedorov, as well as former Lightning left winger Vinny Prospal, the Mighty Ducks head to training camp bent on establishing themselves as perennial Stanley Cup contenders.Despite the free-agent loss of longtime captain Paul Kariya to Colorado, the Ducks appear to be in solid shape to defend their first-ever Western Conference championship.&ldquo;The way I look at it is New Jersey and Detroit hung around and hung around for 10 years, and both won the Cup three times,&rdquo; said Anaheim coach Mike Babcock. &ldquo;In order to do that, you need stability in your organization.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11 at Anaheim.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 18 at Los Angeles.JOB OPENINGS With the Ducks seemingly set in goal, on defense and at center, the hottest trainingcamp competition figures to be among wingers, especially given that veterans Mike Leclerc and Dan Bylsma stand to miss the beginning of the season while recovering from knee surgeries.Kevin Sawyer&rsquo;s continued struggle with post-concussion syndrome leaves an opening for an enforcer, a job career minor-leaguer Cam Severson would love to seize. The Ducks also will take extended looks at several youngsters, including 6-foot-4, 218-pound left winger Alexei Smirnov, who had three goals and two assists in 44 games as a rookie last season.NOTEBOOK The Ducks rewarded coach Mike Babcock, assistants Lorne Henning and Paul MacLean, and goaltending consultant Francois Allaire with one-year contract extensions, through 2004-05. Greg Carvel, scouting and video coordinator last season, also received a one-year extension, as well as a promotion to assistant coach. &#9632;

f0013-03

Ducks’ new additions firm up Cup hopes

<div class="byline">- JEFF SCHULTZ</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-05584/8336592-1-eng-US/f0013-052.jpg" title="f0013-05" width="270" height="559"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04744/8336599-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="215" height="276"></div>The signings of top center Marc Savard and incumbent starting goalie Pasi Nurminen just prior to scheduled arbitration hearings have cleared any economic roadblocks to success for the Thrashers as they prepare for their fifth training camp.Savard was last to sign, agreeing to a one-year, $2-million contract (a $700,000 raise over last season), assuring coach Bob Hartley can keep together the top line of Savard, Dany Heatley and Slava Kozlov. Savard totaled 38 points in the last 31 games and amassed 47 points in 57 games with Atlanta after being acquired from Calgary for a prospect. Nurminen had signed the week before, jumping from $630,000 to $1.1 million, with a second-year option.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11 at Duluth, Ga.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Tampa Bay.JOB OPENINGS The Nos. 2-3 center positions are up for grabs. Whether Patrik Stefan is slotted as the No. 2 or No. 3 pivot depends on the pre-season play of prospect Kamil Piros, whose performances thus far have not matched his skill level, and Finnish newcomer Tommi Santala. Santala was one of the top players in Finland last year with 38 assists and 51 points in 50 games. Dan Snyder is likely to be the No. 4 center.On defense, Frantisek Kaberle, Andy Sutton, Yannick Tremblay and Garnet Exelby are all but guaranteed the first four spots. That leaves at least five players battling for three roster positions: Daniel Tjarnqvist, Chris Tamer, Ivan Majesky, Kirill Safronov and Kurtis Foster.NOTEBOOK Right winger Dany Heatley is on the cover of EA Sports&rsquo; NHL: 2004; the Thrashers hope it isn&rsquo;t a bad omen. Quarterback Mike Vick of the NFL&rsquo;s Atlanta Falcons is on the cover of Madden: 2004 and is the latest EA cover star to go down with an injury. &#9632;

f0013-05

Savard, Nurminen re-sign with Thrashers

<div class="byline">- NANCY MARRAPESE-BURRELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-07444/8336630-1-eng-US/f0013-072.jpg" title="f0013-07" width="268" height="554"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-06488/8336637-1-eng-US/f0013-062.jpg" title="f0013-06" width="205" height="274"></div>Bruins GM Mike O&rsquo;Connell has spoken with Detroit GM Ken Holland about dealing for goalie Curtis Joseph, expected to be ready to start the season after having ankle surgery to remove a bone chip.However, if the asking price is too high, Andrew Raycroft plans to fight tooth and nail to prove he deserves the top spot.Raycroft hasn&rsquo;t been promised anything, but the 23-year-old hasn&rsquo;t been worrying. He stayed in Boston for the bulk of the summer to work out with strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides and intends to go into training camp with a good attitude and work ethic.&ldquo;(Team management) hasn&rsquo;t really said anything to me,&rdquo; Raycroft said. &ldquo;Hopefully, I go in and prove that I can play and win some starts.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11 at Wilmington, Mass.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 at Montreal.JOB OPENINGS The Bruins have roster openings on defense. A serious car accident will sideline Jonathan Girard for the season, while the team&rsquo;s decision to walk away from Bryan Berard&rsquo;s $2.51-milfion arbitration award means he could be playing for another team, too.They hope Jeff Jillson, acquired via trade last year, will step into a regular role. Ditto for Shaone Morrisonn. And they&rsquo;ll audition centers to replace Jozef Stumpel, dealt back to the Kings in June.NOTEBOOK GM Mike O&rsquo;Connell believes Sandy McCarthy will be a big improvement over the since-departed Krzysztof Oliwa. &ldquo;He makes better decisions with the puck,&rdquo; said O&rsquo;Connell. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s more aware defensively. He&rsquo;s not as loose a cannon. He&rsquo;s better within the team structure. He works hard, he&rsquo;s more professional.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0013-07

Raycroft determined to battle for No. 1 job

<div class="byline">- JIM KELLEY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021331/8336668-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="281" height="572"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011700/8336675-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="216" height="281"></div>The Buffalo Sabres can&rsquo;t be sure all of their unsigned players will be on hand for the start of training camp, but one of their longest-serving is certain not to be there.Rob Ray, a noted enforcer who spent 12 seasons with the Sabres before being traded to Ottawa last spring, contacted Sabres management about a possible return. But a local cable television outlet reported the Sabres have opted not to extend Ray an offer.Ray was an alternate captain in his final seasons with the team, holds the team record for most penalty minutes (3,189) and was one of the most popular players in Sabres history.He will now have to decide between attempting to make Ottawa as a free agent, exploring a possible coaching option there or retiring.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at St. Catharines, Ont.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 vs. Ottawa at Binghamton, N.Y.JOB OPENINGS Goaltender Martin Biron is the starter by default, but he&rsquo;ll be challenged by either Mika Noronen or Ryan Miller&hellip;or both. Management has made it clear they want someone to emerge as a consistent No. 1 and that the job is available.With still-unsigned Chris Drury projected as the top center, the middle of the ice is crowded with Daniel Briere, Curtis Brown and Tim Connolly having the edge in terms of experience over rookie Derek Roy and ex-Calgary Flame Steve Begin. On the right side, Miroslav Satan is a lock on the top line, but J-P Dumont slumped last season and will be pushed by Maxim Afinogenov.NOTEBOOK Blueliner Jay McKee was close to a new deal and will likely be with the team when camp opens. Two other unsigned stars - center Chris Drury and right winger Miroslav Satan - were both still in negotiations. &#9632;

f0016-02

Ray era definitely over as Sabres pass on vet

<div class="byline">- ERIC DUHATSCHEK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04760/8336706-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="281" height="573"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-031005/8336713-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="218" height="281"></div>Size matters. Or so it does to Calgary coach-GM Darryl Sutter, who, in his ongoing attempts to reshape the Flames, is repeating the mantra, &ldquo;Bigger is better.&rdquo;For proof, consider that Sutter dispatched a trio of munchkins-sub-6-footers Scott Nichol, Blake Sloan and Steve Begin - and replaced them with much larger bodies. In forwards Josh Green, Matt Davidson and Krzysztof Oliwa, all signed as free agents in the summer, the Flames acquired three players who are at least 6-foot-3 and weigh well above 200 pounds.Oliwa, who split last season between the Rangers and Bruins, effectively replaces Craig Berube on the Flames roster as their enforcer. Green and Davidson will get a chance to battle for third and fourth line duty with other comparatively new faces such as Shean Donovan, who was picked up last spring at the trade deadline.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Calgary.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Edmonton.JOB OPENINGS The most intriguing battle will be on the blueline, where the Flames have added two new faces - Rhett Warrener and Jesse Wallin - to a strong group of young players: Robyn Regehr, Toni Lydman, Denis Gauthier and Jordan Leopold. Add Andrew Ference, Petr Buzek, Steve Montador and Mike Commodore to the mix and the team figures to have a nice blend of size and strength on &lsquo;D&rsquo; - but room for only seven. Wallin, 25, who played a career-high 32 games for Detroit last season, figures to get an honest shot in Calgary.NOTEBOOK After five years of providing players to Johnstown of the East Coast League, Calgary has reached an affiliation agreement with Las Vegas, which will see them place five players with the Wranglers this season. &#9632;

f0016-04

Sutter determined to pump up Flames

<div class="byline">- LUKE DECOCK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06455/8336744-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="279" height="566"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05553/8336751-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="217" height="233"></div>A change of agents brought negotiations between Carolina GM Jim Rutherford and center Joseph Vasicek, the only unsigned Hurricane heading into training camp, back to square one.The 22-year-old center, a restricted free agent without arbitration rights, switched from agent Don Meehan to Ritch Winter in early August.&ldquo;When a player changes agents, a little bit of a red flag goes up and you wonder why they do that,&rdquo; Rutherford said. &ldquo;We were a long way down the road toward getting a deal done with his previous agent I&rsquo;m not quite as confident and don&rsquo;t have as good a read on which way this is going.&rdquo;Vasicek missed 25 games last season with a back injury.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, in &bull; Raleigh, N.C.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 19 at Florida.JOB OPENINGS It&rsquo;s wide open on offense as young players who filled out the Canes&rsquo; injury-ravaged roster last season fight to stay in the NHL.There are at least seven forwards battling for two or three spots, a group that includes Pavel Brendl, Jeff Heerema, Ryan Bayda, Brad DeFauw, Mike Zigomanis, Jesse Boulerice and Joey Tetarenko. One of the last two players - they both add toughness - is almost certain to stick. And then there&rsquo;s No. 2 overall pick center Eric Staal, who isn&rsquo;t signed, but will be given every chance to make the team.Rutherford said he expected left winger Jaroslav Svoboda, who spent time in the American League last year, to make the team out of camp.NOTEBOOK By signing blueliner Danny Markov to a three-year, $8.7-million deal that will pay him $2.7 million this season, Carolina bumped its payroll to an estimated $39.3 million - up from about $38 million this time last year. That includes $2.7 million owed exiled goalie Arturs Irbe, who won&rsquo;t be invited to camp. &#9632;

f0016-06

Vasicek’s agent switch confuses Rutherford

<div class="byline">- TIM SASSONE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-08345/8336782-1-eng-US/f0016-082.jpg" title="f0016-08" width="275" height="567"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-07398/8336789-1-eng-US/f0016-072.jpg" title="f0016-07" width="219" height="280"></div>Chicago wants to be a more difficult team to play against, but only time will tell if newcomers Scott Nichol and Ville Nieminen will make the Hawks any tougher.Nichol replaces Mike Eastwood at center on the fourth line while Nieminen takes Chris Simon&rsquo;s spot at left wing on either the third or fourth line.&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been forthcoming all along in saying we wanted to have more specific role players who are hard to play against,&rdquo; said GM Mike Smith.Nieminen was signed after Simon, an unrestricted free agent, decided to leave the Hawks and accept an offer from the New York Rangers.&ldquo;He is kind of an in-your-face type of player with some skill,&rdquo; said Smith of Nieminen. &ldquo;He has a lot of energy and is hard to play against.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12, at Chicago and Bensenville, Ill.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 vs. Nashville.JOB OPENINGS Michael Leighton and Craig Andersson will battle it out in camp for the backup goaltending job. Coach Brian Sutter is looking for his No. 2 guy to play 25 to 30 games behind Jocelyn Thibault and the feeling is Leighton and Andersson should be ready to handle the workload after two full seasons in the American League.Few spots are guaranteed at forward, where the Hawks are looking for a handful of rookies to make an impact, including left winger Igor Radulov, right winger Pavel Vorobiev and center Mikhail Yakubov.There remains a gaping hole at third line center behind Alex Zhamnov and sophomore Tyler Arnason.NOTEBOOK Reports from Finland suggest center Tuomo Ruutu, the ninth overall in 2001, was prepared to sign a contract to play another season for HIFK Helsinki. &#9632;

f0016-08

Chicago toughens up by adding gritty pair

<div class="byline">- ADRIAN DATER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-10277/8336820-1-eng-US/f0016-102.jpg" title="f0016-10" width="275" height="570"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-09301/8336827-1-eng-US/f0016-092.jpg" title="f0016-09" width="212" height="267"></div>If David Aebischer was supposed to be shaking at the thought of replacing Patrick Roy as Colorado&rsquo;s starter, it certainly didn&rsquo;t look it.Aebischer had the calm demeanor of an insurance salesman after the netminder took part in a workout in mid-August with several current and ex-Avs teammates in Denver.&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t change anything in my approach to the game this summer,&rdquo; Aebischer said.Summer workouts for the fourthyear Swiss goalie included playing badminton for hand-eye coordination. He also worked with Swiss goalie coach Bruno Knutti on bettering his butterfly style and tried to bulk up his lower body.&ldquo;I feel very good,&rdquo; Aebischer said. &ldquo;Of course I know it&rsquo;s a change with Patrick not here now. But I just have to focus on myself and getting better every day. I can&rsquo;t worry about anything else.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 13, in Denver.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Dallas.JOB OPENINGS With the first three lines virtually set in stone, the question of who will man the wings on the fourth line figures to be a top training camp concern. Peter Worrell, Serge Aubin, Brian Willsie, Riku Hahl and Brad Larsen will battle for the three jobs on the fourth line, with Worrell occasionally filling in for Dan Hinote on the third line.The other training camp battle will be for the sixth blueline job. Chris McAllister and DJ. Smith are the top contenders. They&rsquo;ll both get a push from 20-year-old Tomas Slovak.NOTEBOOK Left winger Alex Tanguay was the lone unsigned Av heading towards training camp&hellip;Right winger Milan Hejduk was named the Czech Republic&rsquo;s player of the year&hellip;Center Peter Forsberg opened a new golf course in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Aug. 15. &#9632;

f0016-10

Avs starter Aebischer decides to keep cool

<div class="byline">- AARON PORTZLINE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-021187/8336858-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="276" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011520/8336865-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="215" height="271"></div>Columbus has cleared one hurdle in making sure Nikolai Zherdev is wearing a Blue Jackets sweater this fall. Now there&rsquo;s just one left.In mid-August, the Jackets signed the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft to a three-year deal that could clear $11 million if Zherdev hits every incentive.The only obstacle remaining in securing the superbly skilled left winger is for the Jackets and Zherdev&rsquo;s agent to negotiate a transfer fee that would release him from the remaining year of his contract with Central Army in the Russian league.Columbus GM Doug MacLean believes Zherdev is worth the effort.&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen him play probably six times,&rdquo; MacLean said. &ldquo;You always hate to put pressure on a kid, but I think he has a chance to be a really special player.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 9, at Columbus.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 19 at St. Louis.JOB OPENINGS The Blue Jackets don&rsquo;t have nearly as many openings as they did in their first three seasons. What they have, however, are a handful of positions that need to be settled, especially right wing on the second line beside left winger Rick Nash and center Todd Marchant. The early chatter has Lasse Pirjeta getting the first shot.Also to be decided are the third and fourth lines. Tyler Wright, Trevor Letowski, Espen Knutsen and Jody Shelley are certainties. So is Zherdev, if all the paperwork clears. The battle will be on to see how they fall into place.NOTEBOOK Center Trevor Letowski didn&rsquo;t leave Vancouver on bad terms, but he left a little mystified. Long a valued member of the Canucks checking line, Letowski played in only six of 14 playoff games last spring. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always been a regular,&rdquo; Letowski said, &ldquo;then, all of a sudden I don&rsquo;t know what happened.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0017-02

Jackets must negotiate to bring over Zherdev

<div class="byline">- MIKE HEIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-04635/8336896-1-eng-US/f0017-042.jpg" title="f0017-04" width="274" height="563"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03865/8336903-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="222" height="239"></div>If Dallas fans were concerned about how the Stars would fill the void left by the departure of Derian Hatcher, they certainly weren&rsquo;t ready for a season to start without goalie Marty Turco.After leading the NHL in goals-against average (1.72) and save percentage (.932) last year, Turco, a restricted free agent, remained unsigned as training camp neared. The Stars had discussions with Turco&rsquo;s agent in midAugust, but announced they had to find some way to &ldquo;bridge the gap.&rdquo;It&rsquo;s believed that Turco, who made $850,000 last year, was looking for a $5-millioh-pre-season pact. Dallas did not reveal its target, but it was probably under $4 million.Turco said he wanted to be in training camp and the Stars would be wise to get him there. Dallas&rsquo;s most difficult stretch last season was the 18 games that their No. 1 goalie missed because of an injured ankle.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12, at Vail, Colo.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 at Colorado.JOB OPENINGS The Stars are set with seven blueliners under contract, two goalies expected to be in camp and more than enough veteran forwards.Still, GM Doug Armstrong wants to give some youngsters a realistic chance to make the team. Leading candidates to fill two vacant forward positions would be gritty left winger Steve Ott and Antti Miettinen, who was the MVP of SM-Liiga in the Finnish league last season. Wingers Mattias Tjarnqvist, Barrett Heisten and David Oliver will also get looks.NOTEBOOK Dallas signed netminder Dan Ellis, selected 60th overall in 2000, to a three-year deal&hellip;The Stars will have variable pricing on tickets this season, meaning they will charge more for a weekend game against Detroit than a mid-week game against Columbus. &#9632;

f0017-04

Dallas-Turco dealings slow, difficult process

<div class="byline">- NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-06342/8336934-1-eng-US/f0017-062.jpg" title="f0017-06" width="281" height="556"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-05444/8336941-1-eng-US/f0017-052.jpg" title="f0017-05" width="211" height="261"></div>Sergei Fedorov and Luc Robitaille have departed, Ray Whitney has been welcomed and Dominik Hasek has been welcomed back.But when the Detroit Red Wings open training camp, the player everyone will be talking about will be the one who was supposed to be gone, but keeps hanging around.Netminder Curtis Joseph went on the trading block when Hasek came out of retirement in early July, but the Wings weren&rsquo;t able to make a deal. Then in mid-August came word that Joseph had had surgery to remove a bone chip from his ankle and would be out until late September and perhaps longer.And so it seems Detroit will begin camp with nothing in return for Joseph and an extra $8 million on their payroll - not to mention an awkward situation as a distraction.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at: Traverse City, Mich.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 vs. Washington.JOB OPENINGS Detroit is set in goal with Hasek and Manny Legace and on defense with Nicklas Lidstrom, Derian Hatcher, Mathieu Schneider, Chris Chelios and good depth.The question marks are up front. How will the Wings deal with the loss of Fedorov? How will captain Steve Yzerman perform on his surgically saved right knee? With prospect Igor Grigorenko out of the picture - he suffered serious injuries in a car accident this summer - the Wings hope prospect Jiri Hudler can step up. He lacks size, but has impressive skill. Henrik Zetterberg might move to center.NOTEBOOK Associate coach Barry Smith brightened the day at a Detroit bar during the big blackout in mid-August. He was running his hockey school at Joe Louis Arena when the power went out. Smith sent the kids home and took his coaches to Andrew&rsquo;s on the Corner. Smith grilled food outside, white apron and all, for 20 or so patrons. &#9632;

f0017-06

Cujo’s ankle Injury threatens trade route

<div class="byline">- ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-08227/8336972-1-eng-US/f0017-082.jpg" title="f0017-08" width="277" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-07276/8336979-1-eng-US/f0017-072.jpg" title="f0017-07" width="211" height="277"></div>Toronto is a long way to go for a couple of Edmontontians to reach a business deal, but GM Kevin Lowe would have jetted to Timbuktu if it meant keeping Ryan Smyth in Oiler colors.&ldquo;The where and the when weren&rsquo;t as important as the fact that we got it done without having to go through with arbitration,&rdquo; said Lowe, who was already seated at the hearing table in Toronto when the two sides made a last-ditch effort to reach a deal. Two-and-a-half hours later they signed off on a deal that pays Smyth $3.45 million this year and $3.55 in 2004-05. Smyth made $3 million last year.&ldquo;Smitty has been with the Oilers for his entire career and we clearly wanted that relationship to continue,&rdquo; Lowe said. &ldquo;The trouble with the arbitration process is that it takes a team&rsquo;s budget control out of its hands, and now with this compromise, Smitty can continue to be a vital component on our team.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 9, at Sherwood Park, Alta.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18, vs. Calgary at Jasper, Alta.JOB OPENINGS There should be intense competition for the sixth and seventh spots on the blueline. Incumbent Scott Ferguson will be pressed by Bobby Allen, who had a solid year in the minors, and small but scrappy Marc-Andre Bergeron, who played well down the stretch last season. Ferguson has strength and experience, but Bergeron has an offensive touch the Oilers were lacking on the blueline last year. Almost all of the forward positions are sewn up, but young wingers Jani Rita and Raffi Torres will be pushing Fernando Pisani for the last spot up front.NOTEBOOK. The five-year arena naming agreement between Skyreach Equipment and the Oilers expires in October and won&rsquo;t be renewed. A new naming agreement for the arena has yet to be found. &#9632;

f0017-08

Smyth, Ollers go east to hammer out deal

<div class="byline">- DAVID J. NEAL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-10176/8337010-1-eng-US/f0017-102.jpg" title="f0017-10" width="276" height="562"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-09193/8337017-1-eng-US/f0017-092.jpg" title="f0017-09" width="219" height="282"></div>The Florida Panthers are still in preliminary talks with first round picks Petr Taticek, Nathan Horton and Anthony Stewart, all big forwards the Panthers have talked about making a push for the roster this season.There&rsquo;s a greater sense of urgency about center Taticek, chosen ninth overall in 2002, because he&rsquo;ll either be with the Panthers or with San Antonio, Florida&rsquo;s American League affiliate. Horton and Stewart, selected third and 25th, respectively, in June, will return to major junior if they don&rsquo;t make the NHL team.Also, unless Horton and Stewart have standout training camps, Panthers GM Rick Dudley said there is hesitancy to sign them before a new CBA is negotiated.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 10, at Coral Springs, Fla.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 vs. Carolina.JOB OPENINGS With Viktor Kozlov&rsquo;s move from center to right wing gaining permanence, only three spots remain for Valeri Bure, Ivan Novoseltsev, Denis Shvidki, Jaroslav Bednar and Juraj Kolnik.Bednar&rsquo;s style is so stereotypically European, it should come with a tariff. That starts him at a disadvantage with Mike Keenan. Novoseltsev&rsquo;s hockey sense too often splatters against his hardheadedness.Bet on Bure, Shvidki and Kolnik staying in Florida while Novoseltsev and Bednar head to San Antonio.NOTEBOOK One of the Panthers&rsquo; most important decisions of the offseason was convincing Clint Malarchuk to return as goaltending coach. Roberto Luongo&rsquo;s 2002-03 season improved greatly when Malarchuk was around to work with him, especially on rebound control. As valued as the offbeat former NHL netminder was, his return wasn&rsquo;t assured. Malarchuk has a home and thriving horse dentistry business in the Northwest U.S. &#9632;

f0017-10

Cats deal cautiously with young forwards

<div class="byline">- MATT MCHALE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021217/8337048-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="275" height="557"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011580/8337055-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="209" height="283"></div>Adam Deadmarsh and JasonAllison, two parts of the Kings&rsquo; top line who missed most of the second half of last season, will return this year with reinforced helmets.Deadmarsh, sidelined after Dec. 15, spent most of the summer working out at the club&rsquo;s training facility in El Segundo, Calif. He also spent months getting fitted for a new helmet with more support in the back to avoid whiplash. &ldquo;It has been a very long process,&rdquo; said Deadmarsh, who will be ready for training camp. &ldquo;We tried a lot of different things. You don&rsquo;t want it too heavy and feel weighed down on the ice. But there was a need for added protection.&rdquo; Allison, who also suffered knee and hip injuries in 200203, said the headaches he suffered the final few months last year are gone.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at El Segundo, Calif.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Anaheim.JOB OPENINGS The Kings have a couple of openings on defense. The trade deadline dealing of Mathieu Schneider opens up a spot for sophomore Joe Corvo and they also hope to find room for rookie Denis Grebeshkov, who signed this summer after two outstanding seasons in Russia. Only 19 years old, Grebeshkov will have to beat out Maxim Kuznetsov, acquired from Detroit in the Schneider deal.Also, center Derek Armstrong, who had a breakout season last year playing with the top two lines, could move down. Sean Avery, another Detroit transplant, will battle Armstrong for the position.NOTEBOOK There&rsquo;s great anticipation for the arrival of defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, who won back-to-back gold medals for Russia at the world junior championship and played on consecutive championship teams in the Russian league. Grebeshkov was L.A.&rsquo;s first pick (18th overall) in the 2002 draft. &#9632;

f0018-02

Deadmarsh, Allison get more protection

<div class="byline">- BRIAN MURPHY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04597/8337086-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="281" height="564"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03886/8337093-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="230" height="251"></div>The Wild and Willie Mitchell went to salary arbitration in Toronto expecting a hearing. They left with a deal.Twenty minutes after the case was to be heard, the two sides agreed to a one-year contract that will pay the defenseman $1.35 million in base salary this season.After setting career highs in games (69), assists (12) and points (14), Mitchell played in all 18 post-season games last season, matching against top lines each night. Despite playing with a broken jaw and sprained wrist, his plus-5 playoff rating tied for team lead.Mitchell, whom the Wild acquired from New Jersey for Sean O&rsquo;Donnell in March of 2001, hopes to parlay the contract into a long-term deal.&ldquo;Being traded here is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my career,&rdquo; Mitchell said.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Minneapolis.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Vancouver at Winnipeg.JOB OPENINGS By not re-signing Cliff Ronning, the Wild opened up the quarterback spot on the power play. Crafty playmaker Sergei Zholtok also has run things from the point, so look for him to absorb the duties.Without any clear-cut openings, expect fierce battles for a handful of positions. With his size, Kyle Wanvig is primed to secure a spot at right wing. Center Rickard Wallin and left winger Stephane Veilleux, a potent scoring combination in Houston of the American League, will challenge some veterans, while Travis Roche will push Brad Brown on the blueline.NOTEBOOK Matt McConnell was hired to replace Mike Goldberg as the Wild&rsquo;s television play-by-play announcer. McConnell, who will be paired with analyst Mike Greenlay, was the TV voice of the Atlanta Thrashers since 2000 and has also broadcast games for the Penguins and Mighty Ducks. &#9632;

f0018-04

Burgeoning Mitchell inks Wild new deal

<div class="byline">- HERB ZURKOWSKY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06316/8337124-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="273" height="559"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05404/8337131-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="215" height="249"></div>The Montreal Canadiens, once more, have denied they&rsquo;re trying to trade embattled goalie Jose Theodore. And this time it is president Pierre Boivin doing the talking. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s not on the market,&rdquo; said Boivin to Le Journal de Montreal. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s still our No. 1 goaltender.&rdquo;It has been speculated since early summer that the Habs are attempting to trade the 2002 Vezina and Hart Trophy winner. Reports surfaced in mid-June that Montreal police had dismantled a loan-shark ring.Police haven&rsquo;t identified the 17 people arrested, but media reports say they include the goalie&rsquo;s father, uncle and four of his brothers. The goalie isn&rsquo;t under investigation, according to police.Boivin said no teams have asked about Theodore and he expects the goalie to report to camp ready to play.&ldquo;He&rsquo;s training hard, he&rsquo;s in shape and he&rsquo;ll be ready mentally because he&rsquo;s been living with this situation for some time now,&rdquo; Boivin said.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12, at Pierrefonds, Que.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Boston.JOB OPENINGS With the release of Mariusz Czerkawski and Randy McKay, there are plenty of openings at right wing. And with offense a priority, it&rsquo;ll be hard to overlook Michael Ryder, who scored 34 goals and 67 points in 69 games with Hamilton in the American League last year.Defensemen Mike Komisarek and Ron Hainsey, both of whom spent time with Montreal last season, will attempt to prove they&rsquo;re ready for full-time NHL employment.NOTEBOOK Canadiens owner George Gillett is rumored to be interested in buying the Hamilton TigerCats of the Canadian Football League. The CFL assumed control of the team Aug. 16 when former owners George Grant and David Macdonald failed to meet their payroll. &#9632;

f0018-06

Theodore on market? Habs say ‘No way!’

<div class="byline">- DAVID BOCLAIR</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-08191/8337162-1-eng-US/f0018-082.jpg" title="f0018-08" width="277" height="564"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-07260/8337169-1-eng-US/f0018-072.jpg" title="f0018-07" width="221" height="240"></div>The fact the Predators avoided arbitration with defenseman Kimmo Timonen was nothing new. In five years the team only has had two players go through the process.The details of the pact, agreed upon hours before the hearing, were a dramatic departure, though. Not only did the average annual salary of $2,125 million make it the largest deal ever given to a Preds player other than a goalie, at four years it was also the longest the team has ever offered.&ldquo;A lot of the tough decisions we&rsquo;ve made the first few years of the franchise&hellip;were decisions that weren&rsquo;t always popular,&rdquo; said GM David Poile. &ldquo;This is a significant turn in the philosophy of the franchise.&rdquo;Two things separated Timonen from others in management&rsquo;s mind: at 28, he&rsquo;s poised for the prime of his career; and, as Nashville&rsquo;s highest-scoring blueliner each of the past four seasons, he has been the most consistent performer in team history.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Nashville.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 at Chicago.JOB OPENINGS Nearly every spot on defense is open. The top pair of Kimmo Timonen and Jason York returns, but after that four of the next five D-men from last year are gone.Andy Delmore must be replaced as the triggerman on the power play, a job which will be Marek Zidlicky&rsquo;s for the taking. Tomas Kloucek needs to emerge as a physical force and Dan Hamhuis must show his potential against NHL competition.NOTEBOOK Goalie Brian Finley (drafted sixth overall, 1999) is entering the final year of his rookie contract, having endured several groin injuries the past two seasons and done little to secure a place in the franchise&rsquo;s future. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want to put any more pressure on him than he already puts on himself,&rdquo; said GM David Poile. &#9632;

f0018-08

Preds enter new era with Timonen contract

<div class="byline">- RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-10136/8337200-1-eng-US/f0018-102.jpg" title="f0018-10" width="277" height="565"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-09158/8337207-1-eng-US/f0018-092.jpg" title="f0018-09" width="194" height="272"></div>David Hale was prepared for the comparisons to Devils captain Scott Stevens, but the rookie defenseman was determined not to let the hype derail his plan to earn a spot with the defending Stanley Cup champions.The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Hale, the Devils&rsquo; first pick (22nd overall) in 2000, said he was fit and ready to make the jump from the University of North Dakota.&ldquo;To be honest, maybe there will be a little bit of pressure with the comparison, but I&rsquo;m not going to worry about that,&rdquo; Hale said. &ldquo;I believe there are some similarities in our styles. We&rsquo;re both pretty physical. We like to make the big hit.&ldquo;My confidence is good. I had a pretty good college career, but the college game is not my style. I think I can be even better.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at West Orange, N.J.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 at Philadelphia.JOB OPENINGS The Devils will rebuild half of their defense; three unproven rookies will figure prominently in the battle for jobs: Hale, Paul Martin and Matt DeMarchi. Also in the mix are free agent pickup Sean Brown and minor leaguer Ray Giroux.But while the Devils still have a solid foundation on the blueline with Scott Stevens, Brian Rafalski, Scott Niedermayer and Colin White, there is no such depth at center. The team still had made no effort to resign unrestricted free agent Joe Nieuwendyk, suggesting a camp battle between oft-injured rookie Adrian Foster, veterans Steve Guolla and Craig Darby, along with versatile Sergei Brylin for the fourth man in the middle. GM Lou Lamoriello is expected to shop for a veteran.NOTEBOOK Center Mike Rupp took the Stanley Cup to the training camp of the NFL&rsquo;s Cleveland Browns and to Jacobs Field in Cleveland. &#9632;

f0018-10

Stevens comparison fine by rookie Hale

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0019-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011451/8337238-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg"></div>For advertising info please contact Tony Loria at:(P) 905-883-9215 &bull; (F) 905-883-6213Email: <a href="mailto:tonyloria@transcontinental.ca">tonyloria@transcontinental.ca</a> &bull; Website: <a href="http://theliockeynews.com">theliockeynews.com</a> &#9632;

f0019-01

MARKETPLACE

<div class="byline">- PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02977/8337276-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="278" height="567"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011350/8337283-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="214" height="284"></div>After feeling the summer trade winds, New York Islanders captain Michael Peca showed up on Long Island in early August set to put a dismal year behind him.Last season was a fall-back year for the Isles culminating in the dismissal of coach Peter Laviolette. A healthy and confident Peca feels sure he can regain control of the team and return to the form that enabled him to win the Selke Trophy in 2001-02.&ldquo;I think the thing now is there&rsquo;s no excuses,&rdquo; Peca said. &ldquo;If people complain about the coach, well, that&rsquo;s not an excuse anymore.&rdquo; Peca, 29, admitted he was &ldquo;really limited&rdquo; last season because he was rehabbing from surgeries on his left knee and left shoulder while also nursing a nagging wrist injury for much of the year.Peca also faced criticism this summer from GM Mike Milbury as to his inability to head off the team revolt that led to Lavio-lette&rsquo;s firing. The GM also admitted he had entertained trade offers for Peca. &ldquo;The last thing I want to do is get traded,&rdquo; Peca said. &ldquo;I believe it won&rsquo;t happen, but obviously you have to be prepared.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12, at Wheeling, W. Va.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19, vs. Pittsburgh, at Wheeling, W. Va.JOB OPENINGS With the roster basically the same as the one that flailed to the finish line under Laviolette, first-year coach Steve Stirling&rsquo;s key decision will be between Rick DiPietro, whom the organization needs to emerge as a star, and veteran Garth Snow for the top goalie job.NOTEBOOK Center Jeremy Colliton, drafted 58th overall by the Isles in June, was injured at the Canadian national junior team development camp in mid-August. Colliton, who plays for Prince Albert of the Western League, suffered a Grade 3 concussion as well as a shoulder separation.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03706/8337269-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="1189" height="1336"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wade Redden inked a three-year, $14.1-million deal with Ottawa this summer.</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0020-02

Captain ready to lead despite trade rumors

<div class="byline">- LARRY BROOKS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-05292/8337314-1-eng-US/f0020-052.jpg" title="f0020-05" width="277" height="568"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-04490/8337321-1-eng-US/f0020-042.jpg" title="f0020-04" width="208" height="271"></div>The mid-August signings of restricted free agents Alex Kovalev, Anson Carter and Tom Poti left the New York Rangers with one lone, critical issue to clear before training camp - the future of Mark Messier.GM Glen Sather began discussions Aug. 15 with the 42-year-old team captain and Doug Messier, Mark&rsquo;s father and agent. While details of the discussions weren&rsquo;t made public, it is widely believed No. 11 would like to return to Broadway for his 25th NHL season. Messier, who became an unrestricted free agent when the Rangers did not pick up a $3.9-million option, has an open invitation to return to Edmonton for this, the Oilers&rsquo; 25th anniversary season.Messier, who with 1,844 career points is seven shy of passing Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time NHL scoring list, has always been a tough negotiator. He didn&rsquo;t sign last season until the eve of training camp.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Burlington, Vt.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME: Sept. 19 at Dallas.JOB OPENINGS Assuming Messier signs, the Rangers appear to be heading to camp with an established roster. The most interesting battle is between Dan Blackburn and Jussi Markkanen for the backup spot behind Mike Dunham. Many in the front office believe Blackbum, 20, needs to play a significant number of games in Hartford of the American League after spending most of the last two years at the end of the Rangers bench.NOTEBOOK Goalie Mike Richter, still suffering from post-concussion symptoms in the aftermath of a Nov. 5 injury, was scheduled to meet with neurologist Dr. Karen Johnston, after which a decision would be reached on his future. It is likely Richter, 36, will announce his retirement. &#9632;

f0020-05

Rangers find ‘Moose’ one tough negotiator

<div class="byline">- BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-07199/8337352-1-eng-US/f0020-072.jpg" title="f0020-07" width="276" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-06236/8337359-1-eng-US/f0020-062.jpg" title="f0020-06" width="203" height="283"></div>Ottawa right winger Martin Havlat is ready to re-join the Senators, but has no idea if he will be on the ice at the Corel Centre for the start of training camp.While the Senators offered Havlat what is believed to be a two-year, $2 million contract in July, his Los Angeles-based agent Alan Walsh hadn&rsquo;t responded and wasn&rsquo;t certain when the two sides might talk again.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure that they&rsquo;re waiting because there&rsquo;s no rush right now to get this done,&rdquo; Walsh said. &ldquo;Hopefully, we&rsquo;ll get something done and Martin Havlat will be in camp.&rdquo;With unrestricted free agent center Bryan Smolinski already signed along with blueliner Wade Redden, Havlat is the only remaining question mark as the team prepares to make a quest for the Stanley Cup.Havlat made $675,000 in the final year of his rookie contract last season and is seeking a significant raise.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 13,-in Ottawa.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19, vs. Buffalo, at Binghamton, N.Y.JOB OPENINGS The biggest battles in camp will come in the middle and on the left side. With six centers - Radek Bonk, Todd White, Mike Fisher, Shaun Van Allen, Jason Spezza and Smolinski - someone is going to be on the move. GM John Muckier has made it clear Spezza will play on one of the team&rsquo;s top lines, so expect Fisher to shift to the left side in camp while Van Allen might see spot duty. The Sens&rsquo; decision to let Magnus Arvedson go to free agency means wingers Petr Schastlivy, Peter Schaefer or rookie Antoine Vermette will get a shot to make the team.NOTEBOOK Former Sens left winger Magnus Arvedson has received interest from the Rangers, Atlanta, Vancouver, San Jose, St Louis and Toronto. &#9632;

f0020-07

Senators-Havlat talks grind down to a halt

<div class="byline">- WAYNE FISH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-09103/8337390-1-eng-US/f0020-092.jpg" title="f0020-09" width="276" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-08142/8337397-1-eng-US/f0020-082.jpg" title="f0020-08" width="217" height="253"></div>If it&rsquo;s September, there must be a question mark after the entry marked &lsquo;goalie&rsquo; in the Philadelphia Flyers&rsquo; pre-season scouting report.This year, with the departure of three-year starter Roman Cechmanek to Los Angeles, free agent signee Jeff Hackett and incumbent backup Robert Esche will compete for No. 1.Neither netminder has yet won a playoff series in his career.&ldquo;I think Esche is still a work in progress,&rdquo; said GM Bob Clarke. &ldquo;We thought he came a long way last year. We see him as having the ability to be a No. 1 goalie, but he hasn&rsquo;t proven that consistently yet.&ldquo;Hackett is a terrific, solid goaltender. At 35, Hackett has to play. But Esche has to develop, too. Because someone will have to replace Hackett in the not-too-long future.&rdquo;TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 9, Voorhees, N.J.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19, vs. New Jersey.JOB OPENINGS Defense is a position where several jobs could switch hands. Joni Pitkanen and Jeff Woywitka are expected to challenge for jobs, as are second-year men Jim Vandermeer and Dennis Seidenberg. Eric Desjardins and Kim Johnsson are solid, but anyone from a list of veterans including Chris Therien, Eric Weinrich and Marcus Ragnarsson could be expendable because of their ages and contracts.On the front line, Clarke believes big winger Eric Chouinard has the potential to play a much greater role with the team this season. Also, look for a spirited battle between Radovan Somik and Justin Williams for the No. 3 right wing spot.NOTEBOOK GM Bob Clarke has decided to take John LeClair off the trading block. Clarke had shopped the left winger when LeClair had refused to restructure the final three years ($27 million) of his contract. &#9632;

f0020-09

Goaltending questions persist for Flyers

<div class="byline">- BOB MCMANAMAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-02700/8337435-1-eng-US/f0021-022.jpg" title="f0021-02" width="283" height="569"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-011090/8337442-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="221" height="287"></div>They don&rsquo;t have a true superstar in the lineup - not yet, anyway - but the Coyotes are younger, quicker and bigger with more depth than ever before.&ldquo;Without giving up the focus on being sound, defensively, (coach) Bobby (Francis) will be looking to utilize that speed more often and being aggressive on the puck, especially after faceoffs,&rdquo; said GM Mike Barnett. &ldquo;And we certainly think we will improve our faceoff statistics this year.&rdquo; The Coyotes ranked near the bottom of the NHL, but in March, acquired two of the league&rsquo;s top-rated faceoff men in Jan Hrdina and ChrisGratton, then added another draw specialist in Mike Sillinger. Along with Daymond Langkow, who led the league in draws taken, Phoenix should be able to go on the attack more frequently and cut down on shots against for veteran goahe Sean Burke.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12 at Scottsdale, Ariz.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 20 at Los Angeles.JOB OPENINGS A battle looms for the No. 6 defenseman position; all signs point to it boiling down to a competition between four-year veteran Radoslav Suchy and newly acquired veteran Cale Hulse.Another spot that will be up for grabs is the backup goalie position, assuming veteran and No.l netminder Sean Burke is not traded. Phoenix has two capable stand-ins who can easily shoulder 20-25 starts in relief, and surprise story Zac Bierk seemed to have the upper hand thanks to a strong second-half performance to last season.Brian Boucher, a more proven, battle-tested commodity, figures to be the favorite, however.NOTEBOOK Goalie Jean-Marc Pelletier had surgery in mid-August to repair a hernia injury. There is no set date for his return.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-03450/8337428-1-eng-US/f0021-032.jpg" title="f0021-03" width="1196" height="1338"><figcaption class="caption-body">There&rsquo;s a chance the Blues could shift Pavol Demitrafrom center to left wing.</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0021-02

Young Coyotes adopt aggressive approach

<div class="byline">- JOE STARKEY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-05232/8337473-1-eng-US/f0021-052.jpg" title="f0021-05" width="273" height="565"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-04337/8337480-1-eng-US/f0021-042.jpg" title="f0021-04" width="217" height="280"></div>Penguins massage therapist Tom Plasko has been working onMario Lemieux&rsquo;s back and overall fitness for nearly a decade, so it was noteworthy when Plasko recently claimed Lemieux is &ldquo;probably in the best shape of his life.&rdquo;After Plasko&rsquo;s 10-week training program, Lemieux began on-ice training Aug. 18 under the supervision of former teammate-turned-trainer Jay Caufield.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m way ahead of last year, so it&rsquo;s really encouraging,&rdquo; said Lemieux, who turns 38 in October and plans to play at least one more season.Lemieux has shed 12 pounds since the end of last season, when he had 91 points in 67 games. He improved his leg strength and cardiovascular conditioning over the summer.&ldquo;When I played my best hockey, my legs were pretty strong, so I&rsquo;ve got to get back to that,&rdquo; he said.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 12 at Canonsburg, Pa.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Washington at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.JOB OPENINGS Lemieux aside, the goalies will attract the most attention. Four are contending for the top spot.Veteran Johan Hedberg should be considered a slight favorite over Sebastien Caron as Hedberg still is dependable and has a good track record. Caron, however, had better numbers last season.Marc-Andre Fleury, the No. 1 pick in this year&rsquo;s draft, has a chance, but unless he is astounding, he is ticketed for one more year of junior. J.S. Aubin was the odd man out late last year, but flourished at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and returns a viable threat.NOTEBOOK The Penguins are scheduled to be on U.S. national television only three times - Jan. 12 at Philadelphia, Feb. 29 at the New York Islanders and April 4 against Washington. &#9632;

f0021-05

Lemieux encouraged he’s in peak condition

<div class="byline">- DERRICK GOOLD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-07151/8337511-1-eng-US/f0021-072.jpg" title="f0021-07" width="277" height="571"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-06178/8337518-1-eng-US/f0021-062.jpg" title="f0021-06" width="218" height="270"></div>Unable to afford a quick infusion of optimism through additions to the roster, the penny-pinching Blues must instead turn to coach Joel Quenneville and quite possibly kids to invigorate the team this season.Other than knowing Chris Osgood will be their starter in net, the Blues enter camp with the same core of players - with a few tweaks - for the third consecutive September. A disappointment thus far and especially in the playoffs last season against Vancouver, the Blues were all but issued an ultimatum by management: This is the team, learn to win with it.So it falls to Quenneville to channel the team&rsquo;s unfulfilled promise into performance. As well, Peter Sejna, Igor Valeev, Sergei Varlamov, Mike Danton and possibly John Pohl will be looked to for a jolt of youthful energy.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 15 at St. Louis.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 vs. Columbus.JOB OPENINGS Former Blue Cory Stillman&rsquo;s left winger spot is up for grabs and there&rsquo;s no guarantee Eric Boguniecki will stick on the right side, so the chance to flank Doug Weight is wide open - again.Sejna, last season&rsquo;s Hobey Baker winner, will get a long look. Boguniecki has incumbency. And it could be time to break Scott Mellanby off Keith Tkachuk&rsquo;s line.But creative scrambling might be the best solution. With a crowded house of centers that also has to be sorted out, Pavol Demitra could be pushed to the wing if Petr Cajanek ascends as expected.NOTEBOOK The Blues&rsquo; training camp will be held at Savvis Center while construction of a new practice facility is completed. Everything will be opened to the public. Scrimmage times are school-day friendly and fans get free hot dogs, soda and popcorn just for coming out. &#9632;

f0021-07

Cash-strapped Slues need youth to help out

<div class="byline">- ROSS MCKEON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-0993/8337549-1-eng-US/f0021-092.jpg" title="f0021-09" width="278" height="573"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-08116/8337556-1-eng-US/f0021-082.jpg" title="f0021-08" width="215" height="287"></div>No one is guaranteeing he will play immediately like his four predecessors, yet recent top draft pick Milan Michalek became the fifth player in Sharks history to sign a pro deal within months of getting selected.The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Czech-left winger joins Pat Falloon (1991), Jeff Friesen (&lsquo;94), Patrick Marleau (&lsquo;97) and Brad Stuart (&lsquo;98) as immediate signees, but is the first foreign-born skater to do so.&ldquo;There is a reason we selected Milan at sixth overall in this year&rsquo;s draft,&rdquo; said Sharks GM Doug Wilson. &ldquo;We feel he is ready to make the transition to professional hockey in North America.&rdquo;However, that doesn&rsquo;t guarantee he will be in San Jose once the season starts.&ldquo;Like all of our draft picks&hellip;Milan&rsquo;s performance and merit on the ice will dictate where he plays this season,&rdquo; Wilson said.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 10 at San Jose.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 19 at Anaheim.JOB OPENINGS With Vincent Damphousse possibly moving from center to left wing and bumping Patrick Marleau to No. 1 center, the No. 2 spot could be up for grabs between former Toronto prospect Brad Boyes or 20-year-old German rookie Marcel Goc, two skaters who have yet to debut in the NHL.Boyes, acquired late last season in a the Owen Nolan trade, has an edge since Goc hasn&rsquo;t participated in NHL-sized rinks outside of last fall&rsquo;s training camp.And at least one blueline spot is open. Rookie Christian Ehrhoff has the most upside, but late-season promotions Rob Davison and Jesse Fibiger, along with prospect Matt Carkner, figure to be in the mix.NOTEBOOK The Sharks acquired left winger Nils Ekman from the New York Rangers in exchange for minor league left winger Chad Wiseman. &#9632;

f0021-09

Sharks’ top pick signs, to be at training camp

<div class="byline">- DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02844/8337594-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="279" height="560"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011185/8337601-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="214" height="276"></div>This defense rests. Lightning GM Jay Feaster said the blueline is as deep as it has been in Tampa for quite some time.The top seven entering camp are Dan Boyle, Laukkanen, Nolan Pratt, Cory Sarich, Pavel Kubina, Jassen Cullimore, Brad Lukowich. The top nine all have NHL experience.Signing Pratt Aug. 16 was key. The team allowed Pratt to go to unrestricted free agency by not making a $715,000 qualifying offer. Feaster said that was too high for a player whose 17:33 average ice time last season was seventh among Lightning defenseman.Pratt, 28, accepted a $425,000 oneway deal, $225,000 less than he made last season.&ldquo;And we get a player we know and like,&rdquo; Feaster said.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Brandon, Fla.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18 at Atlanta.JOB OPENINGS The highest-profile job is that of right winger on a line that should include center Vinny Lecavalier and left winger Cory Stillman. Assuming Martin St. Louis is on a line with Brad Richards and Fredrik Modin, the competition should be between Ruslan Fedotenko, Shane Willis, Nikita Alexeev and Ben Clymer.Also up for grabs is the right winger spot on a line that should include center Tim Taylor and left winger Dave Andreychuk. Top candidates include Sheldon Keefe and Jimmie Olvestad.The most spirited competition should be on the fourth line, especially at center between Alexander Svitov and Martin Cibak. And where does Eero Somervuori fit in? The Finnish hotshot is a natural left winger, but can play the right side.NOTEBOOK Left winger Cory Stillman avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.75-million contract the morning of his hearing.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03598/8337587-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="1195" height="1335"><figcaption class="caption-body">Canucks winger Daniel Sedin&rsquo;s production has fallen for the past two seasons.</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0024-02

Stability on blueline positive sign of times

<div class="byline">- KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05284/8337632-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="275" height="569"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04414/8337639-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="216" height="283"></div>During his two years with the Maple Leafs, Mikael Renberg has had his hamstring ripped from his thighbone, his chest ripped open in a near-death experience in a boating mishap and nearly required amputation after infecting his finger while tying his skates.No wonder he had second thoughts about returning.But the right winger confirmed he intends to return to Toronto to fulfill the third and final year of his contract. There was considerable speculation he would ask the Leafs to let him out of his contract so he could play for Lulea in the Swedish league.Some of that was brought on by the fact he was upset with his ice time during Toronto&rsquo;s first round playoff loss to Philadelphia; some of it was due to his frustration by his injuries.But Renberg recently spoke with Leafs coach Pat Quinn and was assured he was still a big part of the organization&rsquo;s plans for this season.Renberg said after that conversation, he made up his mind to focus all of his energies on playing for the Leafs.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Stockholm, Swe.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 16 vs. Jokerit at Helsinki, Fin.JOB OPENINGS The Leafs had just four NHL-caliber defensemen on the roster as of late August with Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Aki Berg and Bryan Marchment.That leaves openings for two of Ric Jackman, Brendan Bell, Karel Pilar and Carlo Colaiacovo. Jackman&rsquo;s performance last year gives him the inside track and Pilar will also challenge for a spot.NOTEBOOK Both the Maple Leafs and Jeff Solomon, the agent for defenseman Bryan McCabe, were optimistic a deal could be struck before training camp. The Leafs were believed to be offering McCabe about $3 million per season. &#9632;

f0024-05

Renberg to return to Maple Leafs’ fold

<div class="byline">- ELLIOTT PAP</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-07182/8337670-1-eng-US/f0024-072.jpg" title="f0024-07" width="276" height="564"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06222/8337677-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="199" height="281"></div>The Vancouver Canucks won&rsquo;t have to worry about meeting any future deadlines to sign 2003 first-round pick (23rd overall) Ryan Kesler.The 6-foot-2 forward from Ohio State came to terms in mid-August and will attend the Canucks&rsquo; rookie camp and main camp. He is expected to begin the year in the American League although, as assistant GM Dave Nonis pointed out, you never know how things might turn out.&ldquo;You never want to pigeonhole a player before camp starts,&rdquo; Nonis said. &ldquo;We expect him to have a strong camp and we&rsquo;ll see where he ends up.&rdquo;Kesler, whose skating style is compared to Trevor Linden, was anxious to turn pro.&ldquo;I want to play in the NHL and I think I will develop quicker this way,&rdquo; said the Livonia, Mich., native who turns 19 Aug. 31.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Vernon, B.C.FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME Sept. 18, vs Minnesota at Winnipeg, Man.JOB OPENINGS After allowing backup goalie Peter Skudra to leave for the Russian League, the Canucks still did not have a bona fide replacement as the calendar reached the second half of August. Alex Auld and Tyler Moss (expected to re-sign) will compete for the job, but there are bound to be other candidates. The Canucks want someone to push No. 1 man Dan Cloutier.The Canucks are also looking at replacing hard-rock defenseman Murray Baron, an unrestricted free agent who remained unsigned through mid-August. Bryan Allen is a likely choice.NOTEBOOK The Canucks have finally replaced the rock-hard glass at GM Place that caused a spate of head and shoulder injuries, including the one suffered by St. Louis defenseman Al Maclnnis during the first round of the playoffs. &#9632;

f0024-07

First-rounder Kesler eager for life as pro

<div class="byline">- DAVE FAY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-09128/8337708-1-eng-US/f0024-092.jpg" title="f0024-09" width="275" height="567"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-08145/8337715-1-eng-US/f0024-082.jpg" title="f0024-08" width="218" height="283"></div>The Washington Capitals head into training camp with a defense that is unsettled. Only two veterans who have been with the team for more than a season, Sergei Gonchar and Brendan Witt, are returning - and even they have problems.Gonchar is one of the NHL&rsquo;s top offensive defenders, but his effectiveness depends heavily on his confidence in his partner. His partner last season was Ken Klee, but Klee is searching for greener pastures via free agency.Witt delivers crushing checks, but his best hockey has been when he played with Calle Johansson, who retired last summer.TRAINING CAMP OPENS Sept. 11, at Piney Orchard, Odenton, Md.FIRST PRESEASON GAME Sept. 18 vs. Pittsburgh at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.JOB OPENINGS Olie Kolzig will be in goal, Jaromir Jagr will be the right winger on the first line. After that it&rsquo;s up for grabs.Fifteen defensemen have been invited to camp with five jobs open. Only Gonchar and Witt are safe.Up front, there was very little chemistry at any point on any line last season so a major upheaval should not be ruled out. Every effort will be made to force-feed youngsters onto the opening night roster to provide more grit and desire, things management thought was missing last season.NOTEBOOK Goalie Olaf Koizig&rsquo;s annual golf tournament benefiting Children&rsquo;s National Medical Center raised more than $225,000 this season, boosting his three-year total well past $500,000&hellip;Despite their thin blueline, the Caps have no plans to bring back unrestricted free agent defenseman Ken Klee, unless a new money source is found&hellip;The Capitals have trimmed $5.9 million off last season&rsquo;s payroll of $50.4 million, but ownership wants it down to about $40 million. &#9632;

f0024-09

No obvious saviors for shaky defense

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div>Sometimes, it&rsquo;s not about the money.Sometimes, money really isn&rsquo;t everything. At least that&rsquo;s the way Chris Taylor thinks.Despite a chance to make more money on the open market when he became an unrestricted free agent July 1, Taylor chose to re-sign with the Buffalo Sabres in order to stay with the Rochester Americans.Taylor, 31, was coming off his most productive season. He scored 12 goals and 67 points in 61 games in 2002-03. His 55 assists were second-most in the AHL and his 1.1 points-per-game average was second to Binghamton hotshot rookie Jason Spezza (1.26).The 11-year veteran (who has played 84 NHL games) was Rochester&rsquo;s MVP for the second year in a row.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-011067/8337746-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="220" height="350"><figcaption class="caption-body">CHRIS TAYLOR</figcaption></div>But he didn&rsquo;t even bother testing the free agent waters. He signed a three-year deal for the same money he was making, around $125,000 per year.That&rsquo;s good money for the AHL, but certainly not what one of the league&rsquo;s best two-way players could have made if he opened up the bidding. Uprooting the family wasn&rsquo;t an option, however.His seven-year-old son, Nick, has special medical needs and enjoys his school and friends. Daughter Samantha, 5, will be starting kindergarten in September.&ldquo;It was a big thing for us (he and wife Lisa) to keep them in good surroundings,&rdquo; Taylor said. &ldquo;Nick&rsquo;s therapists and aides are here, we didn&rsquo;t want to leave. Besides, we like it here.&rdquo;The three-year contract is rare for a veteran minor leaguer, but it provides security.&ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t mean I can take a year off because I have a three-year deal; I&rsquo;ve never done that,&rdquo; Taylor said. &ldquo;The past two years, only playing in the (qualifying playoff) round, that&rsquo;s frustrating. That&rsquo;s not what you want.&rdquo; &#9632;

f0025-01

Taylor happy to make Rochester home

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03499/8337791-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="987" height="1439"><figcaption class="caption-body">Left winger Jeremy Reich had a career high 14 goals and 27 points for Syracuse and is back for a fourth season with the Crunch.</figcaption></div>Todd McLellan is back with the Houston Aeros. He&rsquo;s about the only one.When McLellan returns for his fourth season as the coach for the Minnesota Wild&rsquo;s affiliate, he&rsquo;ll work with an overhauled roster.Scoring star Jean-Guy Trudel and top two-way winger Hnat Domenichelli departed for Switzerland, American League defenseman of the year Curtis Murphy was traded to Nashville and defenseman David Cullen signed with Rochester.With the organization heading into its fourth year, there will be greater emphasis on player development.&ldquo;The organization is three years old and we&rsquo;ve brought some young players along gradually,&rdquo; said McLellan, named minor pro coach of the year by The Hockey News after guiding the Aeros to the Calder Cup last season.&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve gotten a chance to learn the ropes and now the torch has been passed. They have to tread water on their own.&rdquo;McLellan, 35, signed a two-year contract. The Aeros were 47-23-7-3 last year and defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs in seven games to win their first AHL championship.&ldquo;I think this is a great spot for me to continue to grow as a coach,&rdquo; McLellan said.HERE TO HELP In the wake of two suicides by AHL players this summer, the players&rsquo; union will make a greater push to ensure its members know counseling services are available.The Professional Hockey Players&rsquo; Association provides counseling to all players for all issues, professional and personal. &ldquo;But sometimes it&rsquo;s beyond the player&rsquo;s pride to ask (for help),&rdquo; said PHPA president Larry Landon. &ldquo;We let the players know we&rsquo;re there for them. This is a sport where camaraderie is second to none. It certainly opens up your eyes when you see two passings in the summer.&rdquo;The deaths of Hartford center Roman Lyashenko and Syracuse winger Trevor Ettinger were ruled suicides.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02729/8337798-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="237" height="232"></div>AHL WEST NOTEBOOKSTRENGTH IN GOAL The San Antonio Rampage bolstered their goaltending when the parent Florida Panthers signed Travis Scott, who had the AHL&rsquo;s lOth-best goals-against average last season.Scott, 27, was 23-19-5 with a 2.46 GAA and .921 save percentage for Manchester.WEST TIDBITS Tampa Bay, which has no affiliate of its own, will loan four players to the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Lightning are also sending six players to Hershey&hellip;Wingers Jeremy Reich and Kent McDonell re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets and will return for their fourth season with the Syracuse Crunch.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-04328/8337784-1-eng-US/f0025-042.jpg" title="f0025-04" width="151" height="150"></div><h2>HOCKEY NATION AT A GLANCE</h2>The International Ice Hockey Federation is the world&rsquo;s governing body for hockey. In each issue this season, we profile one of 63 national association members.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-05234/8337777-1-eng-US/f0025-052.jpg" title="f0025-05" width="477" height="234"></div><h3>AUSTRALIA</h3>Member of IIHF since 1938Pop. of country 19,546,792Registered players 2,822No. of ice facilities 20Major league (six teams) Australian Ice Hockey League2002 champion Sydney Bears2002 top scorersBrett Hiller, NewscastleGreg Oddy, AdelaideMurray Wand, SydneyAssociation website/e-mail<a href="http://www.aihf.org">www.aihf.org</a> <a href="mailto:aihf@aihf.org">aihf@aihf.org</a>Head officeHackett, Australia2003 world ranking No. 35 &#9632;

f0025-03

McLellan’s task harder this season

<div class="byline">BY ROB MUELLER</div>In the event the East Coast League labor dispute washes out the season, Louisiana IceGators captain Bobby Brown has found another way to earn an honest living.Armed with a portable pressure washer, a trailer and a little elbow grease, the veteran forward started his own mobile car washing and detailing business in Lafayette, La.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s kind of a successful thing,&rdquo; Brown said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have a job in the summer and I don&rsquo;t get paid, so I have to have something to do.&rdquo;With his wife settled into her job, Brown decided to try the car washing business instead of heading home to Winnipeg. ECHL players are paid only during the season. A labor dispute between the league and the union could threaten the start of this season.Brown, who had 37 goals and 79 points in 65 games last season, said he averages about four cars a day at a price ranging from $22 to $30 per vehicle.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-06188/8337829-1-eng-US/f0025-062.jpg" title="f0025-06" width="217" height="206"></div>NOTEBOOKDRILLING AHEAD Cody Bowtell has lost a few teeth during his six-year ECHL career. Now, the former Mississippi Sea Wolves left winger is going to learn how to fix them.Bowtell, 29, announced his retirement from hockey and will enter the University of Saskatchewan&rsquo;s school of dentistry. He already has a degree in chemistry from Alaska-Fairbanks, where he was named to the CCHA&rsquo;s all-academic team in 1996-97.A member of the 1999 Kelly Cup-champion Sea Wolves, Bowtell finished sixth in team history in games (208), second in goals (87), fifth in assists (103) and third in points (190). He had 50 points in 56 games last season.MISSING LYNX Majority owners of the Augusta Lynx told local minority owners they had a possible buyer for the club at $1.17 million, but owner/CFO Mark Vieira said Aug. 18 the sale was not yet final. Local businessman Frank Lawrence, Greenville and Charlotte owner Carl Scheer and former ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly are possible investors. &#9632;

f0025-06

Brown keeping busy between checks

<div class="byline">BY TIM CAMPBELL</div>Left winger Travis Brigley has played with five different teams in the American League, but for him, nothing compares to Hershey.&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve got a great fan base there,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They love the game in Hershey, they support the club like I&rsquo;ve never seen in the AHL.&rdquo;That&rsquo;s why Brigley is so excited about starting his first full season with the Bears this fall.The 26-year-old began last season with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, but was dealt to the Bears in March in exchange for defenseman Dale Clarke. When Brigley asked his agent to explore a contract extension with the Bears&rsquo; NHL parent Colorado, he learned the Ducks had only loaned him to the Bears and that his rights still belonged to Cincinnati.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011199/8337860-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="221" height="351"><figcaption class="caption-body">TRAVIS BRIGLEY</figcaption></div>In August, the Ducks traded Brigley to the Colorado/Hershey organization for future considerations, allowing Brigley to remain in what he considers a positive situation.&ldquo;Things didn&rsquo;t work out with Anaheim or Cincinnati,&rdquo; Brigley said, &ldquo;but Hershey has shown a lot of interest in me.&rdquo;The gritty penalty-killer was originally drafted 39th overall by Calgary in 1996. He played all of his 19 career NHL games in three seasons with the Flames before being traded in 2000 to the Philadelphia Flyers. Since then he has been property of the Florida Panthers and Anaheim Mighty Ducks and has played in such far-flung hockey outposts as Cardiff of the British league and Knoxville of the United League.A native of Coronation, Alta., Brigley had a strong season last year with Cincinnati and Hershey, scoring a career-high 53 points. His best work was reserved for the penalty kill, including six shorthanded goals. &#9632;

f0026-01

Journeyman Brigley one happy Bear

<div class="byline">BY TIM CAMPBELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03692/8337891-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="991" height="1443"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Vancouver Canucks hope third-year pro Alex Auld will be an NHL backup this season. He had a .908 save percentage in Manitoba. (ROSS DETTMAN)</figcaption></div>A familiar face in the American League is bolting for the east - way east.Right winger Brad Smyth, a 10-year pro who played 69 games with Binghamton last season and 12 with parent Ottawa, has signed a deal worth $285,000 with Cherepovets of the Russian league, the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin reported.&ldquo;Last year I was offered a similar deal, but I wanted the chance to play with the Senators,&rdquo; said Smyth to the paper. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m excited to go over (to Russia) now and experience a different culture.&rdquo;After a 24-goal, 56-point season in Binghamton last season, Smyth was offered another contract by Ottawa, but it was a twoway deal.Smyth has 525 points in 469 career games with four AHL teams, including Binghamton, and 28 points in 88 career games with four NHL teams.NEW FALCONS The Springfield Falcons continued revamping their lineup by signing a pair of undrafted prospects.Goalie Scott Dickie signed his first pro contract with the Falcons after helping Kitchener of the Ontario League win the Memorial Cup last May. Dickie was named the tournament&rsquo;s most outstanding netminder after a regular season in which he posted a 2.59 goals-against average, the lowest in the team&rsquo;s 40-year history.Former Providence College center Peter Fregoe also signed with Springfield. The senior scored 23 goals for the Friars last season.TRAINING TIGERS Greg Cronin has been named coach of Bridgeport, his first head coaching assignment in the pro ranks. He had served a five-year stint as an assistant with theNew York Islanders.Cronin, 40, said that one asset he&rsquo;ll draw on will be his experience working for the late Shawn Walsh at the University of Maine. Cronin began working for him in 1988 when the Bears coach was transforming the team into a championship school.&ldquo;(Walsh) helped them scale the hockey mountain,&rdquo; Cronin said. &ldquo;I was 23 when I started with him there and didn&rsquo;t know much about coaching, but I was blessed to be around those quality people.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02853/8337898-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="239" height="235"></div>AHL EAST NOTEBOOKNOTEBOOK Former NHL defenseman Gord Dineen, 40, will be coach Marty McSorley&rsquo;s assistant in Springfield this season. Center Gary Shuchuk, who played in Germany last season, signed a one-year contract to be a player-assistant with the Falcons. &#9632;

f0026-03

Smyth signs deal in Russia

<div class="byline">- THN STAFF</div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04503/8337929-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg" title="f0026-04" width="92" height="99"></div>&bull; Richard Kral, Czech Rep. His 22 goals and 67 points in 45 games for Trinec was five points more than teammate Jan Marek.&bull; Tomas Kucharcik, Finland. His 28 goals and 55 points in 52 games for HPK was tied with Jan Caloun (22 goals) of Blues.&bull; Mark Beaufait, Germany. His 22 goals and 54 points in 50 games for Berlin was two more than teammate Kelly Fairchild.&bull; Tomas Vlasak, Russia. His 19 goals and 46 points in 48 games for Omsk was tied with teammate Pavel Patera (14 goals).&bull; Peter Korinek, Slovakia. His 23 goals and 57 points in 54 games for Zvolen was two more than Kosice&rsquo;s Miroslav Skovira.&bull; Mikael Kartberg, Sweden. His 16 goals and 46 points in 49 games for Leksands was one more than MoOo&rsquo;s Magnus Wernblom.&bull; Petteri Nummelin, Switz. His 18 goals and 57 points in 43 games for Lugano was four more than Bern&rsquo;s Christian Dube. &#9632;</div>

f0026-04

EYE ON EUROPE

<div class="byline">- BRENDAN SAVAGE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-05374/8337960-1-eng-US/f0026-052.jpg" title="f0026-05" width="186" height="97"></div>Lonnie Loach&rsquo;s first game as Missouri&rsquo;s coach will be against his former boss, Mark Reeds. Loach was named coach of the River Otters when Reeds&rsquo; contract was not renewed. Reeds was hired by Kalamazoo, which visits Missouri Oct. 24 in the opener for both teams. &ldquo;It will be difficult going there for the first game,&rdquo; said Reeds to the Kalamazoo Gazette. Added Loach: &ldquo;Playing each other is gonna happen, so we might as well get it over with early.&rdquo; Reeds had a 159-105-34 record in Missouri. Loach spent the last four years of his 15-season playing career with Missouri. &#9632;

f0026-05

NOTEBOOK

<div class="byline">- DAVID HENRY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-06306/8337991-1-eng-US/f0026-062.jpg" title="f0026-06" width="190" height="102"></div>Norman N. Green has hoisted the Stanley Cup, professional hockey&rsquo;s highest prize. Now he has set his sights on the Central League&rsquo;s President&rsquo;s Cup. Green, former co-owner of the 1989 NHL Stanley Cup-champion Calgary Flames and onetime owner of the Minnesota North Stars, bought a piece of the CHL&rsquo;s Austin Ice Bats. Green will serve as co-owner and advisory board member, while Jeff Buch, former vice-president of sports partnerships for First USA Bank, will be president-CEO. The Ice Bats have reached the President&rsquo;s Cup final the past two seasons. &#9632;

f0026-06

<div class="byline">- NICK GATES</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-07263/8338022-1-eng-US/f0026-072.jpg" title="f0026-07" width="205" height="70"></div>Four teams pulled out of the Atlantic Coast League in mid-August, leaving the one-year-old league with one team and on the verge of extinction. Cape Fear, Knoxville, Huntsville and Tupelo joined forces with Birmingham to form the South East League, which is scheduled to begin play this fall. &ldquo;The SEHL is a separate entity,&rdquo; said Knoxville GM Preston Dixon. &ldquo;This is not a renaming or a reorganization (of the ACHL).&rsquo;&rsquo; ACHL president and founder William Coffey was left out in the cold; his league is down to Winston-Salem, which he owns. &#9632;

f0026-07

<div class="byline">- THN STAFF</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-08214/8338053-1-eng-US/f0026-082.jpg" title="f0026-08" width="156" height="113"></div>The World Hockey Association 2 has released the first one-third of its 2003-04 schedule. All six WHA2 teams will see action on opening night Nov. 7: the Jacksonville Barracudas will visit the Alabama Slammers; the Lakeland Loggerhead will host the Macon Trax; and the Orlando Seals will visit the Miami Manatees. Of the 53 games scheduled, 48 will be played on weekend nights. The January schedule was to be released late this summer, while the final part of the schedule was to be published pending the release of the Orlando Predators&rsquo; arena football schedule. &#9632;

f0026-08

<div class="byline">BY WILLY PALOV</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011146/8338091-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="273" height="273"></div>The buzz surrounding Cape Breton was downright deafening after the first day of training camp.The 2003-04 edition of the Screaming Eagles already had been pegged as the Quebec League&rsquo;s best on paper heading into the season, but the on-ice outlook appeared even brighter after they opened camp in mid-August. The core of players returning from last year includes forwards Stephen Dixon, Jared Vokey and Kevin Asselin, defenseman Gregory Hoffe and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.But it was their crop of new players, acquired through trades and the Canadian Hockey League import draft, that made the Eagles the team to beat. Through deals with Halifax and Acadie-Bathurst the Eagles added forwards Marc-Andre Bernier, F-P Guenette, J-F Cyr, Michael Tessier and Karl Fournier and defensemen Alexandre Picard and Matthew Doherty.And don&rsquo;t forget Swiss blueliner Tim Ramholt, 19, who ably demonstrated in camp why he was selected 39th overall by the Calgary Flames in June.All told, there were 26 players in Cape Breton&rsquo;s camp with major junior experience.&ldquo;This is a veteran team,&rdquo; said director of player personnel Gary Lesage. &ldquo;You have a lot of depth. The players know their roles. You can see the way they think out there.&rdquo;The only glitch so far is the delayed arrival of Czech defenseman Michal Barinka. Selected 59th overall by Chicago this summer, the 19-year-old was stuck at home due to visa problems.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02777/8338084-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="279" height="677"></div>SECOND TIME LUCKY The Quebec Remparts finally got their man.The Remparts engineered a trade with Gatineau to acquire defenseman Joey Ryan, making up for a draft-day disappointment. The Remparts were poised to select the American blueliner with the 13th overall pick in the 2003 midget draft, only to see the Olympiques nab him with the 10th selection.When Ryan, 16, did not report to Gatineau, the Remparts sent the Olympiques a first round pick in 2005 and an option to swap first-rounders in 2004.CIAO, RUSSO Acadie-Bathurst suffered a major blow when goaltender Adam Russo signed a contract to play in Italy this year instead of returning to the Titan for one more season.The 20-year-old Russo was a first-team all-star last year and led the QMJHL in goals-against average (2.41), save percentage (.917), wins (38) and shutouts (7). &#9632;

f0027-01

Eagles ready to fly to QMJHL summit

<div class="byline">BY JIM CRESSMAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03555/8338129-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="274" height="206"></div>London finally got its man when first round draft pick Tom Mannino chose the Ontario League over U.S. college.Mannino, 6-foot-l and 215 pounds, was rookie of the year in Western Ontario Jr. B in 2002-03 after making the move to forward from defense with the Leamington Flyers.He was the top rookie scorer with 14 goals and 48 points in 46 games and was named to the first all-star team.Mannino was chosen 10th overall in the OHL draft, but would have gone in the top three had there not been uncertainty over whether he would report.Both his parents are graduates of the University of Michigan and the 16-year-old from Farmington Hills, Mich., was supposedly leaning toward playing for the Wolverines.The Knights have guaranteed him an education package that will allow him to attend a U.S. university.&ldquo;It was tough to say no (to Michigan) and go the other way, but look at the opportunity I have at the same time,&rdquo; Mannino said.&ldquo;A lot of people say going to the OHL is a risky idea because you lose your scholarship eligibility, but it&rsquo;s an experience you can&rsquo;t pass up. The &lsquo;O&rsquo; is definitely a quicker route to the NHL. Look at (Knights forward) Corey Perry. He played two years in the &lsquo;O&rsquo; and he&rsquo;s a first round pick.&rdquo;Perry was selected 28th overall this year by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04388/8338122-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="282" height="677"></div>SHEPPARD A KNIGHT The Ottawa 67&rsquo;s dealt overage right winger Scott Sheppard to the London Knights for a third round pick in 2005.Sheppard had 31 goals and 78 points last season on the OHL&rsquo;s top line with center Corey Locke and left winger Matt Foy, who scored 63 and 61 goals, respectively.Sheppard added 12 goals and 24 points in 23 playoff games.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m looking forward to stepping up in London and being a bigger part of the scoring this year,&rdquo; Sheppard said.NEW HARDWARE The OHL is naming its new conference championship trophies after Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky.The Bobby Orr Trophy will go to the Eastern Conference champions, while the Western champs will receive the Wayne Gretzky Trophy.Orr played for the Oshawa Generals from 1962-66 and Gretzky was with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1977-78. &#9632;

f0027-03

Highly touted rookie spurns NCAA for OHL

<div class="byline">BY ROB VANSTONE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-05256/8338167-1-eng-US/f0027-052.jpg" title="f0027-05" width="269" height="263"></div>The Moose Jaw Warriors have filled their vacant GM position with someone who has as strong a background in business as he does in hockey.Rick Dorman, 48, became the Warriors&rsquo; third GM in a little over a year when he was hired Aug. 14 to succeed Lorne Molleken, a longtime friend of Dorman&rsquo;s. Molleken resigned in June to become an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins.Molleken had assumed the GM&rsquo;s post Dec. 30, supplanting Curtis Hunt - who had been named coach-GM in June, 2002.After Molleken departed, the Warriors board of directors decided to hire a new GM instead of asking Hunt to return to a dual role. Hunt will work with Dorman, who was signed to a three-year deal. Hunt signed a two-year contract extension in May.&ldquo;For the Warriors to advance to the next level, we required a general manager with a solid background in both hockey and business operations,&rdquo; said Warriors director of hockey operations Barry Webster. &ldquo;We have found that balance in Rick.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-06183/8338160-1-eng-US/f0027-062.jpg" title="f0027-06" width="280" height="680"></div>The Winnipeg native joins the Warriors after 18 years as a general manager in the softwood lumber industry in Madison, Wis., and four years as an assistant coach of a hockey team at a private school in the city.Dorman played in the Western Canada League (now the Western League) with the Flin Flon Bombers and Winnipeg Clubs before spending nine seasons in the minors.&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell how many times the chills have gone up and down my back, to see what&rsquo;s going on here (Moose Jaw) over the last couple of years and see what&rsquo;s in place,&rdquo; Dorman said.&ldquo;If the organization wasn&rsquo;t sound and solid and the people who were in place weren&rsquo;t the same way, I&rsquo;d have had a difficult time making a decision.&rdquo;HE&rsquo;S BACK Former Tri-City Americans coach Shaun Clouston has resurfaced in the WHL, joining Medicine Hat as an assistant.He&rsquo;ll work with Tigers coach Willie Desjardins and assistant Bryan Ellerman. Tri-City had a 16-39-2-3 record when they dismissed Clouston Feb. 20.IN THE LOOP The expansion Everett (Wash.) Silvertips will play their first regular season game Sept. 19 against host Kamloops.The Silvertips will play their first four games on the road while awaiting completion of the 10,000-seat Everett Events Center. The first WHL game at the facility is Oct. 4 against Prince George. &#9632;

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September 2, 2003

THE CHALLENGERS

DREAM ON

UNITED STATES LEAGUE

PLUS MINUS