Elite hockey runs deep

The New York Times is famous for its slogan, “all the news that’s fit to print.” A more apt tagline for most publications, it has been joked, would be “all the news that fits.” At times, that is the harsh reality at The Hockey News. We’d love to cover all levels of the game, but space, time and, yes, budget, dictate we have to draw the line somewhere. Where recurring notebooks are concerned, that border decision is guided by the following question: “What’s the connection to the NHL?” Our research has consistently told us the majority of our readers are primarily concerned with the NHL and its feeder loops. That doesn’t mean, however, the leagues that slip through the webbing are insignificant. With that in mind, and given the NHL is on…

NHL TEAM REPORTS

EURO NHLers There are 255 NHL-proven players who are in Europe, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s website in late November. Atlanta has the most players overseas, with 15 Thrashers in Europe. Four NHL teams have just five players in Euro leagues. St. Louis Blues right winger Eric Boguniecki is racking up the air miles this season. Boguniecki scored five goals (and added 47 penalty minutes) in 10 games with Langenthal in Switzerland’s ‘B’ league before transferring to Nurnberg in Germany’s elite league in early November. Boguniecki, 29, was born in New Haven, Conn., spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire and was drafted by the Blues in the sixth round (193rd overall) in 1993. St. Louis didn’t sign him, though, and his first NHL glimpse was a four-game stint…

Daigle just loves playing sport he once abandoned

Alexander Daigle finally found peace with himself and the NHL last season, flying below the radar to find a role in Minnesota after a two-year hiatus from hockey. Now, he can’t get enough of the sport he once eschewed for the Hollywood high life despite a future that remains as uncertain as ever. Daigle was among the contingent of NHL stars that migrated to Europe for the December barnstorming tour organized by the IMG Group. Daigle, who spent the fall playing charity games in Quebec, said he wants to stay in Europe if the lockout is not resolved. “We’ve been so brainwashed that there’s not going to be a season, I want to keep playing,” Daigle said. The Wild picked up their $800,000 option on Daigle after he led the…

JUNIOR STATISTICS