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December 1, 1990
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.
MARIO LEMIEUX
Oh, my aching back. Has there ever been a cliche more fitting for one player in one calendar year? Mario Lemieux began 1990 with a back condition that threatened his grip on the NHL scoring title; he ended it with a back condition that was threatening his career. One of the game’s greatest talents ever underwent disc surgery July 11 and spent parts of October and November taking antibiotics to combat a bone infection in his lower back. Hockey quivered. “The biggest thing right now is getting Mario healthy,” teammate Paul Coffey said as the Pittsburgh Penguins prepared for that scariest of thoughts—a winter without Lemieux. “Hockey aside, the most important thing is to get his health, get his back strong enough that he can do everyday things.” Back pain had become commonplace for…
ANNUAL REPORT
GOOD BYE
COLLECTING CARDS A LABOR OF LOVE FOR MAPLE LEAFS’ REID
Dave Reid is doing what he loves most. It’s a couple hours after his team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, have arrived in Detroit fora game the next night. Reid is in his hotel room waiting for room service. Sprawled across his bed are hundreds of hockey cards. He’s just bought two boxes of Score’s 1990-91 cards and he’s sorting them to make a set. With some variations, it’s what Reid does many nights on the road. If he’s not sorting cards, he’s putting them in plastic sheets, or looking at them, or showing them to curious teammates. Now that he’s a full-time NHLer, Reid does this in his hotel room. When he was in the American League, he’d do it on the long bus trips. Reid, 26, has always been a collector, but…