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May 18, 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.
Niittymaki flourishes in second year
As the American League regular season played out, Philadelphia goalie Antero Niittymaki was often asked how the Phantoms went from missing the playoffs in 2002-03 to winning the East Division crown in 2003-04. “I wish I knew what happened last season,” Niittymaki said. “We had a pretty good team, but we didn’t score a lot of goals like we did this season. That’s a big difference, plus our special teams are much improved.” The modest Finn neglected to mention his play contributed mightily to Philadelphia’s turnaround. As a rookie, he went 14-21-2 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and no shutouts. This year, he went 24-13-6 with a 2.02 GAA, .924 save percentage and seven shutouts. “I feel more comfortable playing here now,” Niittymaki said. “My first year in North America, it…
Wolski has Pole position at draft
Wherever Wojtek Wolski goes, he hears the same questions. Everyone wants to know how a i kid from Zabrze, Poland became one of the top-rated draft prospects in North America, especially when a long history of soccer talent runs in his family. “Every single time I’ve done an interview this year, the same questions come up,” said Wolski, who’s uncle played pro soccer in Europe. • “But it’s my past, so obviously there are going to be questions about it. I’m fine with that.” Wolski moved to Canada with his family when he was four. His father decided to get his kids involved in the great Canadian sport of hockey, taking them to a local rink in Toronto. Wolski wore his older brother’s hand-me-down skates, stuffing them with _ socks so they would fit. He…
Americans gain world redemotion
PRAGUE The Americans had their cake and ate it too, all in the same day, at the World Championship. When the team representing the United States arrived in the Czech Republic for the world tournament, the odds were against them and the stakes were high. The Americans had an Olympic qualifying berth for the 2006 Games on the line, not to mention they were looking for redemption following last year’s disastrous 13th-place finish. To make matters worse, stars such as Mike Modano, Keith Tkachuk and Doug Weight turned them down and the no-label Americans were in a pool with Russia, Sweden, Finland and Slovalda with only four teams advancing to to the medal round. The upstart Americans finished fourth and drew the star-studded Czechs in the cross-over game. Before they took to the ice in…
Red-hot Nabber
His goalie mentor may be more than 2,000 miles from San Jose, but Evgeni Nabokov knows Warren Strelow is only a phone call away. “Sometimes Nabby calls me right after a game and it might be 1:30 in the morning here,” says Strelow from his suburban Minneapolis home. With the way San Jose’s 28-year-old goalie has played through two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s safe to assume Nabokov’s not going to be the spokesman for any new cellular deals and Strelow isn’t losing any sleep. Instead, the only thing Nabokov is doing these late nights is giving opponents nightmares-first St. Louis, then Colorado. Nabokov sported a 1.34 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage through two rounds, an 8-3 record with two of those losses coming in overtime. He shut out the…
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