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.
January 9, 2007
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.
Island tales
TORONTO NATIVE Pat Flatley scored on his first shot in his first NHL game. The fondest memory of his career, though, is a simple moment, not a glorious one. “Me and Pat LaFontaine riding on the bus to Winnipeg,” said Flatley, 43. “It was a veteran team, a lot of older guys. Back then, they used to drink coffee and smoke cigarettes before a game.” After being drafted by the New York Islanders 21st overall in 1982, Flatley went on to play for the Canadian national team at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo. Later that season, Flatley and LaFontaine (a U.S. Olympian) were inserted into New York’s lineup. The Isles, having won four straight Stanley Cups, came face-to-face with Wayne Gretzky’s Edmonton Oilers in the final. Edmonton won the series 4-1, but Flatley capped off…
Ramsay serves as trainer for Canada’s elite
JIM RAMSAY Not only was the head trainer entrusted with the league’s highest payroll – until the salary cap took over – Ramsay also has become Canada’s trainer at major international competitions under the Wayne Gretzky regime. Now in his 13th season with the Rangers after five with the Winnipeg Jets, Ramsay has been Team Canada’s athletic trainer in each of the past two Olympics and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He serves on various committees within the NHL and is secretary of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society. Earlier this season in Anaheim, Teemu Selanne exchanged greetings with Ramsay. “This was my first trainer in the NHL,” said ex-Jet Selanne with a smile. “And the first thing he said to me was, ‘You have to play with pain!’…
Hartley inspires charges to become coaches
BOB HARTLEY The 2001 Stanley Cup winning coach finally appears to have Atlanta headed to its first post-season berth. From his days with the Avalanche, Hartley has maintained a close relationship with Patrick Roy and Roy said he phones Hartley once or twice a week to talk strategy. The coach’s influence is obvious: Hartley’s ex-players, from junior, AHL and NHL, now dot the QMJHL coaching fraternity. In addition to Roy (Quebec), Hartley’s former players-as-head coaches include Eric Veilleux (Shawinigan), Pascal Vincent (Cape Breton) and assistants including Sebastien Laplante (Moncton) and Eric Messier (Baie-Comeau). MARIAN HOSSA Simply put, he’s one of the leading candidates for the Hart Trophy this season. Hossa is among the league’s scoring leaders and he’s an exceptional defensive player. Last season, he set the franchise record for plus/minus…
Surprenant champions safety in equipment
DAVE SURPRENANT The team’s head athletic trainer has been with the Stars for 19 seasons and vice president of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society for seven years. Surprenant has been among the key voices in pushing for equipment improvements that include putting soft padding on the outside of elbow pads and improving helmet padding. He has also helped PHATS research the use of mouthguards in preventing concussions. “Technology is giving us a lot of options to improve the safety of the game and we need to use that technology,” he said. DAVE TIPPETT The coach has had the Stars among the NHL’s top six in goals-against average in each of the four seasons he has been behind the bench. And yet, he’s one of the most forward-thinking coaches when it…
Made possible with the support of
