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April 27, 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.
Peca’s inspired performance rubs off on Islanders mates
Islanders GM Mike Milbury believes captain Michael Peca “getting his mojo back” as one of the NHL’s top leaders and two-way players-almost two years after wrecking his knee in the 2002 playoffs against Toronto-was the biggest factor in the Isles reaching the post-season for the third consecutive year. “At some point in the season, I think Peca became the player we want him to be on a consistent basis,” Milbury said. “Players coming off serious injuries often take quite a while to get back. Somewhere down the line, I think he exhibited the kind of confidence and his game was elevated to the point that I think he carried a lot of players with him. “And I think his (positive) attitude infiltrated the locker room. I don’t think it is any coincidence the…
TWO MINUTES IN THE BOX
Start the clock… What was your first job? “I was a busboy in a bowling alley restaurant. It was as thrilling as it sounds.” UFOs: fact or fiction? “They're a fact. You've got to think all those people couldn't make up similar stories.” Worst hotel in the league? “The Marriott in Long Island. I think that's why some guys play extra hard against the Isles-they want to get the game over with and check out of that place as fast as humanly possible.” If you were NHL commissioner, what would your first act be? “I would shorten the (regular season) schedule by about 10 games. Guys are always getting injured and I think part of that comes from having a season that is too compressed.” Favorite city to visit on the road? “New York City. There's just something about crossing…
Unsung Cote big surprise for Bulldogs
Some of the rookies, like Chris Higgins and Alexander Perezhogin, were supposed to make a major impact with the Hamilton Bulldogs this season. They were, after all, first round draft picks by the Montreal Canadiens. Then there was Jean-Philippe Cote, a 2000 draft afterthought of Toronto (265th overall) who came to training camp without a contract. By the end of the season, Cote had solidified himself as a decent American League defenseman with a positive upside. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound Cote posted the AHL's third-best plus/minus among defensemen and fifth overall at plus-27. “He knows how to play and he knows his job,” said Bulldogs coach Doug Jarvis. “I wouldn't say his game is polished, but he has a hard-working game. He finds a way to get the job done and that's a big asset.…
Penguins' nick to be determined
After finishing last overall in the NHL this season, the Penguins finished second in the draft lottery and lost out on the chance to pick Russian winger Alexander Ovechkin. The team was noncommittal about who it might choose with the second pick, but Russian center Evgenii Malkin is a good bet. His coming-out party came last August at the world under-18 championship. “You went over wondering who the top '86-born European was,” said European scout Mark Kelley. “Malkin stood out, heads and tails, above the others."… Ryan Whitney, the fifth overall pick in 2002, signed for this year's rookie cap of $1,185 million annually. The defenseman will forego his senior year at Boston University…Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, fresh off an upset loss in the Quebec League playoffs, was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton…
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