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December 26, 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.
Russian revolution hits Washington
THE GOAL It was the defining moment of Alex Ovechkin’s sensational rookie season. The Caps were in Phoenix Jan. 16 and the left winger advanced on goal, was taken down, but somehow put the puck into the net while on his back, sliding and rolling down the ice, with a defender and goalie trying to block it. It became known simply as ‘The Goal.’ ALEX THE GREAT With 52 goals, 106 points and an electrifying style of play, Ovechkin was the runaway choice for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2005-06. He was also named to the first all-star team. OLIE THE HUMANITARIAN Goalie Olie Kolzig, long recognized as the Caps’ true leader, was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership on and off the ice…
Morgan ends European trip
You can take the Canadian out of North America, but you can’t take the North American game out of the Canadian. At least not at age 30. Three months into the season with Vienna in the Austrian League, Gavin Morgan was released from his contract so he could rejoin the American League’s Peoria Rivermen. “I thought I had more to contribute here,” said Morgan upon his return in early December. “You have to be in a different mindset to play in Europe in terms of your career. It’s a different world over there, a different game. Not better or worse, but different.” Namely, a gritty, in-your-face style isn’t appreciated. Morgan scored seven goals and 19 points in 24 games with 117 penalty minutes. Those numbers mirror his previous seven minor-pro seasons, except he was…
Lombardi building with young players
NEW DIRECTION With Dean Lombardi replacing Dave Taylor as GM and Marc Crawford succeeding Andy Murray behind the bench, the Kings entered this season with a new braintrust. Lombardi is as a shrewd talent evaluator and made moves to bolster the Kings’ future by acquiring prospects Jack Johnson and Patrick O’Sullivan in separate deals. FANCY ANZE Even the most optimistic member of the Kings’ front office couldn’t have expected center Anze Kopitar’s NHL debut to go so well. Kopitar, 19, had six goals and 24 points in 31 games. The Kings believe he can be a superstar soon. STOP IT, DAN The Kings signed Dan Cloutier to a two-year, $6.2-million contract extension before he even played a game for them. So far, it hasn’t worked out well. In a Nov. 22 loss…
Crawford fights for Darfur
SINCE EARLY 2003, an estimated half-million people have been killed in Darfur, a war-ravaged region of western Sudan in Africa. A civil war between the Sudanese government and rebel groups has turned into genocide. Murder, rape, torture and oppression have transformed Darfur into “the largest and most complex humanitarian problem on the globe,” according to Antonio Guterres, the United Nations’ high commissioner for refugees. A world away, Jenna Crawford cheers on the Memphis RiverKings as a member of the Ice Girls, the RiverKings’ dance team. Crawford, however, isn’t that far removed. The 21-year-old from Horn Lake, Miss., is hoping the enthusiasm she displays at RiverKings home game can help make a difference in one of the world’s most violent and desperate places. After viewing Darfur’s plight on television, Crawford was inspired to begin several projects…
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