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September 6, 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.
Age is irreverent for Portland coach
Being the Western League’s youngest coach is old hat to Mike Williamson. He has held that distinction since assuming the Portland Winter Hawks’ coaching reins Feb. 3, 2000 – 19 days shy of his 27th birthday. “I guess the reason I was so young is because I was such a bad player, so I don’t know if that’s such a good thing,” quipped Williamson, who spent four and a half seasons as an assistant coach after patrolling the team’s blueline for three years. Williamson was a student of the game as a player and assistant coach, which accelerated his elevation to head coach. “I think I had to figure some things out in order to keep up with the rest of the guys who could skate,” Williamson noted. Williamson came close to being supplanted…
HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF
SO MUCH FOR NEW ARBITRATION PROCESS Fans of NHL arbitration weren’t given much of an opportunity to see the new baseball-style system in operation. A record low 13 players were scheduled to have their 2005-06 salary decided by an arbiter, but 10 of them settled before hearings were held. The $3.2 million awarded to Roberto Luongo was the first in which the team took the player to arbitration. (See pg. 22 for more.) Under the new arbitration system, the arbiter chooses either the player’s salary request or the team’s salary offer. Under the old system, the arbiter was able to find a medium salary between request and offer and that was virtually the case every time. An all-time high 67 players filed for arbitration in 2004. An average of 40 players…
Veteran additions slow youth movement
The Rangers’ alleged commitment to showcasing their youth took yet another bizarre twist when the club acquired 34-year-old center Steve Rucchin from Anaheim in exchange for minor league ruffian Trevor Gillies and a conditional 2007 draft pick. The move followed failed attempts to sign Dave Scatchard, Wayne Primeau and Chris Gratton, all of whom spurned Ranger offers to sign elsewhere. The acquisition of Rucchin did, however, follow Glen Sather’s confounding pattern of signing past their-prime veteran free agents despite the GM’s vows to give the organization’s prospects meaningful opportunities this season. Previously this summer, New York signed 34-year-old Martin Rucinsky and brittle 33-year-old center Martin Straka each to one-year, $3-million deals; they signed two 30-year-olds, Marik Malik and Kevin Weekes, to multi-year deals; and, they signed 28-year-old left winger Ville Nieminen. Already having…
Esche prepped, ready for goaltending battle
Many believe Calder Cup hotshot Antero Niittymaki will challenge Flyers incumbent starting goalie Robert Esche for his job this year. Esche, tongue only halfway in cheek, says bring it on. “He (Niittymaki) is going to be trying to knock me off and I’m going to be trying to keep him down,” chuckled Esche, who beat a deadline for signing a new contract by agreeing to a two-year, $2-million deal. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Esche has been working out with some NHLers in the Utica, N.Y., area during the lockout and says he’s stayed in good condition. “For a technical goalie, (the layoff) might be a problem,” he said. “But I’m a goalie who relies on athleticism, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.” The Flyers presented Esche with a one-year qualifying offer…
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