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July 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.
VANCOUVER
DEFINING MOMENT Vancouver had to win Game 81 to stay alive in the playoff race. Facing an injury-depleted Oilers squad that had been eliminated two nights earlier, the Canucks fell on their faces and lost 2-1. What made the outcome particularly appalling was the Canucks’ complete inability to produce any offense, despite Edmonton handing the Canucks eight power play opportunities totalling 17:53 minutes. Vancouver’s offense could manage only one goal – by grinder Alex Burrows – late in the third period when it was already 2-0 for Edmonton. No wonder new GM Mike Gillis will be seeking to revamp the Canucks’ top-six forward group in an attempt to find some clutch performers.…
WAHL RIDING CALIFORNIA WAVE
A BIRTHDAY PARTY and victory party have been important events in Mitch Wahl’s hockey career. “I was introduced to hockey at my sister’s birthday party,” said Wahl, a Spokane Chiefs center who hails from Seal Beach, Calif. “We had a skating party. They just got me on skates and they thought I did well. “I went out for my first game when I was six years old and I made the team. The rest is history. I just went with it. I had a big passion and a big love for the game and it has been fun.” The fun peaked in May when Wahl helped Spokane win the Memorial Cup, rewarding the Chiefs for making him the fourth overall pick in the 2005 bantam draft. “After meeting with the person, you are real…
COLUMBUS
DEFINING MOMENT Columbus went into the Feb. 26 trade deadline only five points out of the playoffs and flying high after a 3-0 win in Montreal. Then, reports surfaced the Jackets were talking with Tampa about a deal that would bring over center Brad Richards. What came next was a kick in the gut. Captain Adam Foote demanded a trade to Colorado when contract talks fell apart. Many of his teammates were angry and felt betrayed. Sergei Fedorov, the team’s only skilled center, was traded to Washington for a prospect. Richards went to Dallas instead. “Our team was in a state of shock,” said coach Ken Hitchcock. The Jackets went 5-10-3 the rest of the way, dropping them to 13th place in the West.…
A TRAGIC LOSS FOR HOCKEY’S FAMILY
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was a close friend and former teammate of Luc Bourdon, whose fatal motorcycle accident May 29 shocked the hockey world. The two played together in the Quebec League and were partners for two World Junior Championships, winning gold twice for Canada. Letang shared his personal story with THN correspondent Joe Starkey. LUC AND I MET when we were 14 at a summer hockey camp in Burlington, Vermont. He was a different guy, kind of tough to approach. He was going to analyze you. But once you got to know him really well, you could see he was a great guy – a very funny guy who wanted you to laugh all the time. Later in our careers, we were pretty much always together. During the summer, he…
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