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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.
Deep Moncton squad tops coaches poll
Even though Moncton has no skaters ranked in the top 25 of the nation’s scoring race, the Aigles Bleus find themselves positioned No. 1 in the final coaches poll of 2006. Former Acadie-Bathurst Titan Karl Fournier, who has 20 points through 14 games, leads Moncton, but sits just 27th overall. Coach Robert Mongrain says Moncton’s depth is what makes the team excel. But with half a season and the playoffs ahead, he doesn’t want his players to get too high. “The guys worked hard and we talked about (being ranked No. 1) and the players deserve it,” said Mongrain who coached for 10 seasons in the Quebec League before landing in Moncton. “We tell the players, it’s nice to be there (No. 1), but it’s tougher to stay there.”…
Hitching the wagon to a proven winner
COACH IN The hiring of Ken Hitchcock Nov. 24 changed the culture throughout the organization, not to mention the direction of the on-ice product. The players needed a commanding presence and a world-class teacher, while the angry, eroding fan base needed a reason to get excited. Hitchcock filled both bills. GOALIE OUT Marc Denis, once dubbed the “franchise cornerstone,” was flipped to Tampa Bay for left winger Fredrik Modin and goalie Fredrik Norrena June 30. It was risky, but so far it looks golden for Columbus. Modin has been solid and Norrena, basically a throw-in in the deal, has been great. GAME ON The Jackets went 23-16-2 in the second half of 2005-06, the best stretch of hockey in their brief history. The highlight was March 25 at Detroit, when the Jackets…
SPHL prospering, looking to expand
Keith Jeffries is one reason the three-year-old SPHL is flourishing despite the absence of a commissioner. “Let me find some wood to knock on,” said the board of governors chairman, who was put in charge of business operations after commissioner Tom Coolen’s contract was not renewed in the summer of 2005. Jeffries grew up a fan of minor hockey in Huntsville, sold his successful printing business and became president of the Havoc. His toughest call has been which expansion cities to accept for the eight-team league that has doubled in size since its inception. “We have some very serious inquiries and a couple of applications in hand,” he said. “We are going to survive only if we control our budgets.”…
His name isn’t Mud, but he’s a Bruneteau
Hockey has the most glorious cycle of life. Enter Brett Bruneteau as exhibit A. At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, the 17-year-old Omaha Lancer center is the grand-nephew of NHL legend ‘Mud’ Bruneteau. In March of 1936, Mud scored at 116:30 of overtime to give Detroit a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Maroons in what remains the longest game in NHL playoff history. Brett plays bigger than his frame and has a strong skill set. Draft-eligible in 2007, but not among the top 145 skaters ranked by International Scouting Services in December, Bruneteau has committed to North Dakota, where he’ll arrive in either 2007 or 2008. “North Dakota has a great reputation of moving guys to the next level,” Bruneteau told the Omaha World Herald.…
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