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April 1, 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.
Three Kings tearing it up
Good luck picking the Brandon Wheat Kings’ rookie of the year. Three prime candidates – Matt Calvert (18 years old), Brayden Schenn (16) and Scott Glennie (16) — are on one line with the team. “Every now and then, you get the Brandon situation, where you get three young kids who are absolutely fantastic,” said Regina Pats coach Curtis Hunt. “Bang, out of nowhere you get over 150 points from three rookie players. It’s outstanding. It’s a credit to their scouting, but it’s not the norm.” Brandon coach-GM Kelly McCrimmon said Wheatie supporters love the trio. “Our fans clap when they leave the ice,” he said. “It won’t be because they scored. It’s just because they have great energy and great enthusiasm.”…
DALLAS
GUYS TO WATCH The Stars have committed a good deal of their future payroll to two players they know only a little about, so both will be huge questions marks down the stretch and in the playoffs. Center Mike Ribeiro, 28, was on pace for an 80-point season and has had great chemistry with Brenden Morrow this season – resulting in a five-year, $25-million contract extension. However, he has struggled in March and was moved off the line, so it will be interesting to see how he responds. Brad Richards, meanwhile, was still trying to find his place in town. He has been shuffled everywhere, including playing right wing with Mike Modano, so there’s a clear experiment phase taking place. Richards has been hot and cold in his new home.…
TAMPA BAY
GUYS TO WATCH Despite being acquired from Dallas to be the No. 1 goalie, Mike Smith has yet to win over coach John Tortorella. Smith, the key to the Brad Richards deal, is a terrific puck-mover. But every now and then his involvement creates an adventure and he has been inconsistent stopping pucks. Add a determined Karri Ramo, who has shined in a backup role, to the mix and things aren’t exactly secure for Smith. Center Andreas Karlsson has turned into a reliable penalty-killer, but his lack of scoring puts him on the bubble as to whether or not the lightning will re-sign him. Left winger Mathieu Darche seems to have found a home on a makeshift second line. Darche, another potential UFA, is making a good case to be re-signed.…
New Mark for goalies
Colgate senior goalie Mark Dekanich has it all – size, athleticism and now, the ECAC record for consecutive shutout minutes. In February, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder pitched 217:15 of shutout hockey, breaking the old record of 198:44 set by Trevor Koenig of Union in 1996-97. The streak ended when Dekanich, a Nashville pick, gave up a goal in a 7-2 loss to Princeton. The last of his three consecutive shutouts, an 8-0 whitewashing of Union, was Colgate coach Don Vaughan’s 252nd career win, making him the winningest coach in school history.…
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