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May 8, 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.
A different kind of plus-minus
ONE OF THE MOST TELLING STATS in football is the giveaway-takeaway ratio. It may seem obvious, but there’s typically a strong correlation between a team’s ability to hang onto the ball (or steal it from its opponent) and its ultimate success. Having witnessed my beloved Steelers finish with a minus-8 differential and plummet from Super Bowl champ to non-playoff team in 2006, I’ve lived the pain associated with turnover margin. In hockey, turnovers are tracked but don’t have the same impact on games. Really, the closest comparable is man advantage situations, a variable on which many games hinge. It’s common to hear commentators refer to how frequently a team is penalized or how often it goes on the power play, but we rarely get the big picture – until now. The accompanying…
HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF
CHEREPANOV BOOSTS DRAFT STATUS Alexei Cherepanov enters the NHL draft as a competitor with a reputation for shining in international competition. The 18-year-old Russian led his country to a gold medal at the World Under-18 Championship defeating the U.S. 6-5 April 22. The No. 3-ranked prospect for the June 22 draft by International Scouting Services was also named to the world juniors all-star team in January. At the under-18 final in Finland, Cherepanov scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period. Sweden won bronze, dominating Canada 8-3. In other draft news, Kyle Turris was named the top North American skater on the Central Scouting prospect list for the June draft. Check thehockeynews.com for complete list. TAKE A CHANCE ON KEENAN Mike Keenan is taking his storied and controversial career overseas. In his…
Fast-tracking to the NHL
Carey Price’s junior season ended early with a first round playoff exit in the Western League, but the Montreal Canadiens want him to keep playing. That’s why they signed Price to a contract and sent him to the American League’s Hamilton Bulldogs for the Calder Cup playoffs. They want to fast-forward the development for their goalie of the future, who is ranked the fifth-best prospect in Future Watch 2007. “Montreal made it clear it’s important for him to spend time in the American League now,” said Canadiens goalie coach Rollie Melanson. Price went 1-1 and allowed three goals in two starts on the final weekend of the regular season. He then made 34 saves in his playoff debut to shut out Rochester 2-0. “He makes a coach feel comfortable, that’s for sure,” said Bulldogs…
Soap opera year for ex-Jet pick
“AS THE HOCKEY PUCK TURNS” would be a fitting soap opera title for Mark Richards’ dramatic season. He started out as Pee Dee coach and GM, but by the time the Cyclones’ 16-32-8 season ended, Richards was replaced behind the bench, came out of retirement to play for the team and had to find a new home for the franchise next season. All the turmoil paled in comparison to the personal trauma endured by the 38-year-old Richards, who spent 11 years as a minor league goalie after being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1990. His mother and two sons were involved in a traffic accident a year ago in Florence, S.C. “She broke her right knee and had to have surgery,” Richards said. Chase, six, and Paxton, three, weren’t injured as badly. “Paxton broke…
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