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February 10, 2004
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.
Big Biron makes strides as ice time is increased
For a few years, watching 6-foot-6 Florida Panthers defenseman Mathieu Biron was akin to watching a giant Bullwinkle parade balloon. He was big, but not threatening, limbs moving slowly with an unhip doo-fusness. Since October, Biron seems to have grown into his body, becoming more familiar with it and its potential. As Panthers defensemen got injured, Biron stepped up - into more ice time, into the rush, into people physically. Biron says he has better focus, but doesn’t feel he’s giving more effort. “Last year, I was in the minors,” Biron said, “Right now, I’m here. There’s a big difference: in salary and everything, but, at the same time, you say, ’I don’t feel I’m working any harder than I was last year.’ (Because) it doesn’t matter if you’re a fifth defense-man or in the…
Eagles trainer happy to return after accident
Boston University trainer Larry Venis admitted he was a tad jumpy during a midJanuary game against Maine. Considering what he had been through, who could blame him? The 8-4 loss to the Black Bears Jan. 23 was Venis’s first game back on the bench after having been hit in the temple by a puck during a game at Merrimack College Nov. 14. Venis, whose eyes turned black and blue and began to close, decided to finish the game. Feeling worse the next day, the 41-year-old went to the Boston Medical Center and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot near his brain. Venis said the strangest part of the accident was he saw the puck coming. He raised his arm to block the puck, but dropped it slightly at the last second. Venis, who…
Mid-season list reflects strength of WCHA clubs
When five schools in the 10-member WCHA qualified for the inaugural 16team NCAA tournament last year, it was an unprecedented show of depth and strength. It will be interesting to see the reaction should more make it this time. Entering late January, the top 16 of the PairWise rankings compiled by U.S.College Hockey Online. Though unofficial, the rankings closely mimic the model utilized by the NCAA selection committee. As expected, perennial power North Dakota (first), two-time defending NCAA champion Minnesota (tied for sixth) and reigning WCHA titlist Colorado College (15th) are in the top 16. So is Minnesota-Duluth (fifth), St. Cloud State (tied for sixth) and Denver (ninth). The big surprises are resurgent Wisconsin (12th) and Alaska-Anchorage (13th), which won just one game last season. The true measure of strength for the WCHA is its…
More of same from Sather
GLORY DAYS There’s no shortage of individual talent on the Rangers. Here are their collective major achievements From the Hall of Fame to the Hall of Shame. That’s the path Glen Sather’s career has taken since he left the prairies of Western Canada for the bright lights of Broadway. There are those who would suggest he was already headed in that sad direction during his final years with the Oilers. What’s even more incredible than the fact the Rangers outspend most teams by millions and can’t make the playoffs is that Sather is allowed to continue at the helm of the mis-guided ship. He has been an absolute bust on Broadway and yet there he is, still making deals, still coaching. Spend, spend, spend…that’s all Sather has done since replacing Neil Smith as GM in…
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