Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
November 15, 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.
All eyes on Sundin as captain heals
Despite two serious eye injuries during his career, captain Mats Sundin still refuses to make a longterm commitment to a visor. “I’m going to try my best to keep it on,” Sundin said. “For a while, I want to protect the eye until it’s back where it should be. Hopefully, I can keep it on for the rest of the year.” Sundin was expected to return to the lineup Nov. 5 against Tampa, meaning he would miss 12 full games with the injury. That’s the most he has missed in one season since joining the Leafs in 1994-95. Coach Pat Quinn said it would be unwise for the Leafs to rely solely on Sundin. “We should all be excited about it, not taking it for granted that he’s the guy with the white hat…
Predators less reliant on points from point men
Twelve games into 2003-04, defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Marek Zidlicky had a combined 12 power play points, and by season’s end they had scored about one-quarter of Nashville’s power play goals (17 of 72). Twelve games into this season, the pair had just seven power play points and scored only two of the Predators’ 12 goals with the man advantage. Part of the decrease in their production was easily attributable to the addition of skill up front in the form of Steve Sullivan, who was not with Nashville at the start of 2003-04, and free agent addition Paul Kariya. However, there had been many more opportunities this season, 76 compared to 65 through the same number of games in 2003-04. The creative blueliners have been encouraged to shoot more and not try to…
Tough guy learning offensive touch, too
Kevin Cormier of the Halifax Mooseheads is the undisputed tough guy of the Quebec League, but he’s also showing soft hands around the net. The 19-year-old left winger got off to a surprising start with seven goals in 17 games. “People keep saying ‘What’s going on? Why are you scoring so much and getting points?,’ ” Cormier said. “When I played peewee and bantam and high school hockey, I was throwing the odd goal in the net. “Then, when I got to major junior, I was only getting an average of three or four shifts per game. I don’t think anything has changed in my game this season. It’s just that the coaches are giving me more ice time and I’m taking advantage of it.” Cormier had seven points and 235 penalty minutes…
Sneak peek at NHL incentive for Barker
The difference between the Western League and the NHL is ‘plane’ to see. Just ask defenseman Cam Barker, who played one game with the Chicago Blackhawks before rejoining the Medicine Hat Tigers. “Flying instead of taking the bus is a lot nicer,” Barker, 19, said of NHL life. “Every time you go out and eat, even for pregame, everything’s the best. You’re not eating at McDonald’s or something like that.” The Blackhawks’ brass decided one more winter of WHL seasoning would benefit the third overall pick in 2004. He found an abbreviated taste of the NHL highly palatable. “It’s unbelievable with the time and effort that goes into arranging all that,” Barker said. “Even to go in a night before and stay if you’re playing somewhere makes a huge difference, instead of riding…
Made possible with the support of
