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February 12, 2008
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.
CRASH COURSE IS THE BEST PATH
JORDAN LAVALLEE Chicago Wolves Ht. 6-2 Wt. 224 Pos. LW Age 21 AND COUNTING 7Points shy of exceeding last season’s total WHEN THE ATLANTA THRASHERS drafted Jordan LaVallee, they never envisioned him becoming a flashy, high-scoring winger. They don’t want him to try being one, either. He’ll never become the next Ilya Kovalchuk. Which is fine. LaVallee’s banging, in-your-face style makes him a very effective left winger for the Chicago Wolves. “When I play a mean, physical game, I think it makes me a better player,” said the 6-foot-2, 224-pound LaVallee. “It gets me into the game and it creates more space for myself and my linemates.” A little more space gives him a chance to use what are actually pretty good hands. He scored 12 goals and 28 points in the first half of this season. A year ago, he…
KINGS TO ANDROL: YOU’RE HIRED
HEIDI ANDROL WASN’T victorious in her attempt to win a job with Donald Trump on The Apprentice last year. But the Michigan girl with hockey in her blood came out of her reality TV experience with a much better gig – covering the NHL for the L.A. Kings’ revamped website. And as she settles into her role – officially, she’s the team’s special events host, although her job duties include far more than just appearing in front of the camera – Androl has become a significant part of the Kings’ cutting edge approach to off-ice, online promotion. “I’ve been a hockey fan since I was three,” said the 27-year-old Androl, a former model who made it into the final six contestants on The Apprentice before hearing Trump’s patented “You’re fired” line. “When I…
FRESH LEGS
T.J. HENSICK COLORADO AVALANCHE, C DEBUT Nov. 30, 2007 VS. San Jose (3-2 loss) ICE TIME 16:38, 19 shifts KEY STAT 2-for-5 on faceoffs “MY FIRST GAME came in San Jose against the Sharks and it was great because my parents were able to make it out from Michigan to see my debut. Having them there was very special. During the warm-ups, I couldn’t believe I was passing the puck around with guys like Joe Sakic, Milan Hedjuk and Ryan Smyth – I had just been called up from Lake Erie (AHL) the day before. The rink (HP Pavilion) is so big and you look across the ice and see Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. I played on a line with Smyth and we talked shift to shift as he helped me learn. Facing off against…
IT’S A wild WORLD
The rebirth of NHL hockey in Minnesota started with two seeds – GM Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire. But even the most promising seeds need fertile soil in which to grow. And when Risebrough and Lemaire arrived on the scene, it could be argued they were planted in cement. See, the NHL skipped town on a bit of a sour note in 1993 when owner Norm Green bolted for Dallas, leaving North Stars fans high and dry. So when the league returned to Minnesota with an expansion team in 2000, it was anybody’s guess whether or not the locals would warm up to the Wild. Three hundred consecutive sellouts later, you have your answer. Minnesotans have not only taken to the Wild, they have helped establish their state as the No. 1…