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August 16, 2005
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.
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
DEAN LOMBARDI Ex-Sharks GM still puttering around after almost landing job with Ducks TOM PERNICE JR. PGA Tour golfer a crafty putter, always on the lookout for birdies, eagles Submit ideas for Separated at Birth to jhodgson@thehockeynews.com…
Senators stand pat, focus on future
Senators GM John Muckler will spend the rest of the summer getting ready for the season. After dealing center Todd White to the Minnesota Wild at the NHL draft and giving goalie Martin Prusek his walking papers, Muckler has plenty of work to do to keep the team together. While the Senators planned to study the freeagent market to bring more grit to coach Bryan Murray, Muckler was focused on the likes of next year’s free agents Jason Spezza, Marian Hossa, Mike Fisher, Martin Havlat, Anton Volchenkov and Zdeno Chara. The Senators had an interest in winger Gary Roberts before he signed a two-year deal with the Florida Panthers Aug. 1 and were prepared to make a pitch for former Detroit winger Darren McCarty. “We want to focus on keeping our players,” Muckler said. THE…
HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF
WALKOM TAKES OFF STRIPES After 15 years patrolling the ice wearing the black and white stripes, referee Stephen Walkom has hung up his skates for a desk job. Widely regarded as one of the best on-ice officials in the NHL, Walkom, 42, accepted the post of senior vice-president and director of officiating. The North Bay, Ont., native takes over the position vacated by Andy Van Hellemond, who resigned in July of last year under difficult circumstances involving conflict of interest problems. For Walkom, the new position is yet another step up in a career that has seen him referee two Stanley Cup finals (2002 and 2004) as well as the 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup. “We believe Stephen is ideally suited to provide direction and guidance to our on-ice officials,”…
Swedish prospect hungry for action
Some NHL GMs felt it was a year to avoid picking Europeans in the first round of the draft. That made Lou Lamoriello look harder at the Euros on his list. When Swedish left winger Niklas Bergfors was still available when the Devils picked 23rd overall, Lamoriello pounced. Rated the 15th best prospect by The Hockey News, Bergfors will attend training camp and play junior hockey for St. John’s in the Quebec League this season. “He’s really saying, ‘I want to play in the NHL,’” Lamoriello said. “He wants to pay the price to get there.” A tireless, physical player despite his size (5-foot-11, 191 pounds), Bergfors played for his hometown junior team in Sodertalje, Sweden, where he scored 18 goals in 21 games. “I’m a pretty physical player,” Bergfors said, “but I can…