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December 18, 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.
NHL HAS CHANGED EUROPE AS WELL
THE FIRST EUROPEANS ENTERED THE NHL in the 1970s, the big boost was seen in the ’80s and by the late ’90s, winning the Stanley Cup had become the biggest dream for little boys in Finland, Sweden, Russia and the Czech Republic. That’s not news. Ever since Inge Hammarstrom skated into a corner with a basket of eggs and back out without breaking them, the discussion about Europeans in the NHL has been lively. Mostly, though, the debate has been about the European players’ influence on the NHL. Meanwhile, the increased contact between the two hockey worlds has also left an imprint on the European leagues. In fact, the first steps were taken even before the first European player, Tommi Salmelainen, was drafted to the NHL in 1969, when Carl Brewer took a…
CROWD SHOTS
“Am I missing something? Why all the talk to make the nets bigger? PARK PLACE Your ‘Top 10 Players in Team History’ was great (Nov. 20)! I’m ashamed to admit I forgot Paul Coffey played for the Penguins. One beef: How does Brad Park get left off the Rangers’ top 10? He had the bad luck of playing at the same time as Bobby Orr and then Denis Potvin, otherwise he would have won a few Norris Trophies himself. Poor Brad, always a bridesmaid. Frank Boucher was such a gentleman. He probably wouldn’t mind getting bumped for No. 2. STEPHEN FOLAN, GLEN COVE, N.Y. NO TIME FOR CHANGE Am I missing something? Why all the talk about making the nets bigger to increase scoring? Does a high-scoring game equate to a more exciting game? Does no one see…
LATE-BLOOMER TURNING HEADS
BEING PASSED OVER in the National Hockey League draft can be devastating for a young player, but it’s probably the best thing that could have happened to Fabian Brunnstrom. To be sure, it will almost certainly make him a wealthier man. That’s because the 22-year-old Swede is an unrestricted free agent and has earned the attention of a number of NHL teams for his play. Because Europeans are now subject to the same draft rules as North American juniors, Brunnstrom is too old to be drafted and thus is unrestricted. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has made the jump from First Division in Sweden to Farjestad of the Elite League and has emerged as a legitimate NHL prospect. He’ll likely get an offer very close to the rookie salary cap and it will now…
BEST OF THE REST
ECHL Standards bar officially raised Director of officiating Bryan Lewis intends to put the league on par with the NHL in terms of on-ice calls and rule interpretation. “We will conduct ourselves in the same manner as we did in the National Hockey League,” said Lewis, who worked more than 1,000 NHL games and was that league’s director of officiating for 11 years before his retirement in 2000. “Let’s bring the professionalism into the ECHL officiating.” Referee Magazine named him among ‘The 52 Most Influential Individuals in Officiating History.’ Lewis, who joined the ECHL in 2005, was “integral in developing the details of the two-referee, twolinesmen system.” – MIKE MASTOVICH NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE Tough approach gets noticed Plenty are ranked ahead of him, but as far as 2008 draft eligibles are concerned, few will pay the…
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