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February 13, 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.
Jogging for Wayne
WAYNE GRETZKY WAS 17 when he signed up with the World Hockey Association’s Indianapolis Racers and owner Nelson Skalbania. “I ended up flying Wayne, his parents and Gus Badali, the agent, (to) Vancouver,” Skalbania recalls. “At that point I had not seen him play, but I had known enough about him and I kind of worried about his health as a 17-year-old kid.” To make sure Gretzky was up to snuff, Skalbania took Wayne for a little run. Skalbania was a fairly good long-distance runner at the time. “So here I do about 80 to 100 miles a week and this 17-year-old kid who doesn’t run beats me in the six mile,” Skalbania says. “I figured, ‘Hey, the kid’s got to be good at 17 years old,’ so without seeing him even play,…
HOCKEY WORLD BRIEF
YZERMAN CANADA’S MAN The next phase of Steve Yzerman’s career continues to take form. The Red Wings vice-president was named the GM of Canada’s entry at the 2007 World Hockey Championship to be held in Russia this spring. Yzerman won a gold medal with Canada at the 2002 Olympics and has two silvers from the worlds. MALKIN SUIT DISMISSED Evgeni Malkin is a Penguin. End of story. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed both complaints filed by Malkin’s former team, Mettalurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League, against Malkin, the Penguins and the NHL. “We are very pleased that all aspects of the litigation concerning Evgeni Malkin’s right to play hockey for the Pittsburgh Penguins have now concluded,” said Ted Black, vice-president of business and legal…
Divided union seeks answers
GIVEN THEIR HISTORY, it comes as no surprise the two sides in the NHL Players’ Association investigation of executive director Ted Saskin could not agree on much as the process began in late January. None of the participants were willing to speak on the record, but sources said the NHLPA questions the validity of the investigation given nine of the NHL’s 30 player representatives opposed the appointment of Sheila Block, the Toronto-based lawyer who will head the investigation. A source also said nowhere in the resolution for a Saskin probe does the word ‘investigation’ even appear. Saskin, sources said, is treating the process as an inquiry and will co-operate with Block, but doesn’t think she has the power to subpoena any people involved. In fact, there was speculation Saskin was in the…
Shanahan slams referees
Brendan Shanahan implied NHL referees are biased against Jaromir Jagr because of his nationality following the Rangers’ 2-1 loss to Toronto Jan. 31. “I don’t know what it is, if there’s some sort of prejudice or what the deal is,” he said. “I’ve never seen a superstar player treated with so much disrespect in this league. The referees seem to have a different set of rules for him. I’ve played with a lot of superstars and I’ve never seen anyone get treated with less respect. Not since (Slava) Fetisov came over from Russia have I seen a star player ignored like that and I know why they were ignoring him.” NORTHEAST DIVISION BOSTON Rookie center David Krejci’s NHL debut at Buffalo Jan. 20 lasted three shifts. The back of his head hit…
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