Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
February 24, 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.
Briere’s captaincy feels like redemption
The only question that should be asked about Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff’s decision to make Daniel Briere captain for the month of February is, why did it take so lonh?. Through 56 9 games, Briere had matched Miroslav Satan for the team’s goal-scoring lead (18) and was the team’s points leader (39). The 5-foot-10 Briere is responsible defensively and fearless around the net. After his first game as captain, a 6-2 loss to Boston, Briere stood up and told his teammates the loss and effort were unacceptable. In his next game, he scored both goals and made the defensive play of the night as the Sabres bested San Jose 2-1. Given that Phoenix gave up on him last season, trading him for Chris Gratton, Briere is ecstatic on how things have turned…
Visor charges a bit foggy
When CBC commentator Don Cherry suggested that “most of the guys that wear (visors) are Europeans or French guys”, we couldn’t resist analyzing whether or not he was correct. With the help of our NHL correspondents, we discovered he was right to an extent. Of the 225 NHLers who are wearing a visor this season, 61 per cent are of European or French-Canadian heritage. But that doesn’t mean the players who don’t shield their eyes are making the right choice.…
Ricci’s longevity mark spurs him to do more
When 32-year-old center Mike Ricci appeared in his 1,000th NHL game, he said it was appropriate he did it as a Shark. “To be honest, I enjoyed playing in Colorado and Philadelphia, but I think San Jose is the perfect place to celebrate it,” said Ricci, who hit the milestone Feb. 10. “I feel comfortable. I feel part of this community.” The No. 4 overall pick by the Flyers in 1990 spent 146 games in Philadelphia before being packaged to Quebec in the Eric Lindros blockbuster trade. It was early in Ricci’s sixth year with the franchise that he was moved to San Jose. And it is where the final 515 games of his countdown to 1,000 have taken place. “I’m proud of playing this long and having had the opportunity to play…
SNAPSHOTS
• Minnesota netminder Dwayne Roloson has no problem with making goalie gear even smaller. Frankly, he’s not convinced it would matter that much. “As long as they’re not taking away any protection, it doesn’t make any difference,” Roloson said. “There will be an adjustment period for the goalies, but eventually it will just go back to the way things are now. The goalies are more athletic than they used to be and they’ll be able to adjust.” • Save this one as bulletin-board material in the post-CBA world. According to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, “More than a majority of our teams would use the opportunity of cost certainty to lower ticket prices.” • There is a belief in Colorado that star center Peter Forsberg will play in Sweden next season whether or…
Made possible with the support of
