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 14, 2006
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.
Baby Ducks emerge at both ends of ice
ROOKIE REPORT The Ducks are not afraid to use rookies – just as was the case in 2005-06 – with three playing significant roles this year. Dustin Penner, LW Penner, an undrafted free agent who signed out of the University of Maine in 2004, played 19 regular season games with the Ducks last season and rose to prominence with a strong playoff. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds with good hands, Penner has huge upside and is a force both offensively and controlling the puck. Ryan Shannon, RW After lighting up the AHL last season, Shannon forced his way into the Ducks lineup with a tremendous camp. While only 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds, he’s speedy and skilled, making him a welcome offensive addition. Shane O’Brien, D A fourth-year pro, the rugged O’Brien has defended…
Next rookie wave crashes NHL party
ROOKIE REPORT Youth was king in the NHL last season. And while it’s all but impossible to top the Crosby-Ovechkin-Phaneuf crop, there are a cadre of young turks who are trying to do just that this season. Twenty-eight NHL teams have dressed at least one rookie in 2006-07; only Atlanta and Carolina have yet to do so. In Chicago, meanwhile, the Hawks have used eight rookies; five were still with the team in early November. Some of the fab freshmen include center Anze Kopitar in Los Angeles, San Jose defenseman Matt Carle and, of course, that Evgeni Malkin fellow in Pittsburgh. The team reports profile the 74 rookies playing in the NHL, including first-year guys who are too old to be eligible for the Calder (such as Phoenix center Patrick Fischer, 31).…
CHL demands Russia’s best for six-game challenge series
The Russians are coming and they better bring their A team. The Canadian Hockey League stated it will accept nothing but the national junior squad for the Canada-Russia Challenge. The six-game series features OHL games Nov. 23 in Sarnia and Nov. 27 in Oshawa. This is the fourth year of the event (the CHL leads 15-3 overall) and in the previous three, the Russians have sent inferior teams. The series is a pre-cursor to the World Junior Championship and a scouting tool for Hockey Canada, but few, if any, of the Russians have been seen later at the tournament. “We’ve been led to believe through our discussion with (OHL commissioner and CHL president) Dave Branch and his discussion with (Hockey Canada president) Bob Nicholson that the Russians said they’re bringing their national junior…
Ruzicka finds home on Flyers’ first line
ROOKIE REPORT With John Stevens, formerly coach of the AHL’s Phantoms, in charge of the Flyers, five rookies feel right at home. Stefan Ruzicka, RW The highly skilled 21-year-old Slovak has made big strides by showing a willingness to play in traffic. He had a goal and two points in two games on the top line. Lars Jonsson, D A high ankle sprain at the end of pre-season cost him three weeks. The Flyers want to utilize his hard, accurate shot on the power play. Alexandre Picard, D A steady rearguard, he was called up when veteran Nolan Baumgartner was placed on waivers. Ben Eager, LW The tough guy is bent on proving he can contribute more than the odd scuffle. Triston Grant, LW Carrying on the tradition of Flyers enforcers, Grant has worked his…
Made possible with the support of
