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December 5, 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.
To the Point
NO REASON TO RACE FOR 30TH If the Philadelphia Flyers or Columbus Blue Jackets are preparing to tank the season, deal off high-priced talent in exchange for promising youth and hope to snag the next Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin first overall in the 2007 entry draft, they can think again. There’s no franchise player available in June. “It’s a very deep draft,” said Dennis MacInnis, director of scouting for International Scouting Services, “maybe a seven out of 10, but the one shortcoming is there’s no superstar Crosby or Ovechkin-type player.” There’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of the No. 1 pick candidates: Jakub Voracek, James Van Riemsdyk, Logan Couture, Karl Alzner, Nick Petrecki, Angelo Esposito and Sam Gagner. It’s a toss-up right now. They’re all very skilled, but…
JERSEY HOUND
Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) New jerseys always get a rough ride from traditionalists, but the re-invented Admirals uniforms have quickly caught attention. Along with the bone anchor logo on the shoulder (and mascot’s hat), there is the new Admiral himself. The great thing is it looks nothing like any other mascot, eschewing the usual cutesy cartoon trap many minor-pro teams fall into for something completely different. But why the Milwaukee Brewers logo in the corner? That’s courtesy the team’s ownership group, which includes Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and pitcher Ben Sheets.…
Overcoming long odds
You won’t find him on any list of NHL draft picks, but where you will find Jason Jaffray is at the top of the Manitoba Moose scoring list. Overlooked for most of his career, Jaffray is once again showing he can play. Jaffray had 12 goals and 17 points through 18 games. Only three players had scored more goals in the American League. Not bad for an undrafted 25-year-old who has never signed an NHL contract. “I know if I want to be a firstline guy, I have to be that much better than the draft picks,” said Jaffray after signing with the Moose last summer. After four Western League years, Jaffray needed back-to-back 30-goal seasons in the ECHL before getting a call from the next level. Last season, his first full year in the…
HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF
HOCKEY ONCE PITCHED MORNEAU It turns out, Justin Morneau made the right decision. Torn between pursuing a career in hockey or baseball as a 17-year-old in 1997, the New Westminster, B.C., native took hockey to the junior level before focusing on baseball. At 16, Morneau played goal in one pre-season game with Portland of the Western League. “He was trying to decide between baseball and hockey,” said Winter Hawks coach Mike Williamson, an assistant at the time. The American League MVP with the Minnesota Twins in 2006 was on Portland’s 50-player protected list until he opted for baseball. “He was young and raw – a big guy who covered a lot of the net,” Williamson said. “I remember a conversation we had with him when recruiting him. We told him he…
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