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September 14, 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 minutes to fill for kids on blueline
When Sean Hill left for the Florida Panthers as a free agent, it left a void on defense that won’t be easy for the Carolina Hurricanes to fill. Hill was among the NHL leaders in ice time and often cracked the 30minute mark in the final month of last season, playing in every situation. The Canes added ex-Thrasher Frantisek Kaberle as a free agent to fill the hole and had been looking to add another defenseman via free agency or trade, but aren’t any more. “Looking at what is available and what we have, I don’t see at this point where we would be upgrading our defense,” said GM Jim Rutherford. “I certainly think the defense we have now is fine. Could we add another player and improve it? Sure, but it…
Wheat Kings sniper eyes WJC invitation
Eric Fehr will be fair game for opposing checkers after a 50goal season. The Brandon Wheat Kings right winger welcomes the challenge, which is immense considering the increasingly defensive nature of the Western League. “It’s extremely tough (to score 50), especially when you’ve got a No. 1 matchup, playing against defensemen who are real tough and physical,” said Fehr, whom the Washington Capitals drafted 18th overall in 2003. “It takes a toll on you. I played 71 games last year so it’s a pretty long season.” Fehr needed all 71 games to reach the coveted 50-goal milestone. He hit 50 by registering a hat trick in Brandon’s regular season finale. This season, Fehr is positioned to be the WHL’s only returning 50-goal man. Center Jeremy Williams, who had 52 goals for the Swift Current…
Kovalev liking idea of returning to Habs
With the start of training camp days away and no contract offers on the horizon, Alex Kovalev appears to be growing antsy. The unrestricted free agent now says he wants to play for the Canadiens, who acquired him last season in a trade from the Rangers. Coincidentally, the left winger was quoted in a Pittsburgh newspaper this summer saying he was unhappy in coach Claude Julien’s defensive system. “I don’t know where that story came from,” he said. “I never had any problem with the coach. I had some meetings with him to explain what kind of player I am. There were some adjustments that had to be made and he had to learn what my game was about. But I think we had things going in the playoffs.” Kovalev was held to…
The forgotten Summit Series
When the late ’Wild’ Bill Hunter announced the two-year-old World Hockey Association was going to take on Vladislav Tretiak, Valeri Kharlamov and the other mighty Soviets in an eight-game showdown in 1974, the reaction was part snicker, part yawn. The WHA? Who played in that league anyway? OK, Bobby Hull did, and so did Gordie Howe, but he was in his late 40s. Mostly, it was a bunch of former NHLers critics thought were well past their best-before dates. It was a much more talented team than that, but it was still the upstart WHA, not the NHL stars as it was in the epic 1972 Summit Series. “We were ignored,” remembers Edmonton Oilers captain Al Hamilton, on the 30th anniversary of the 1974 series, “They kind of wrote us off.” The Canadians tied…
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