Originally published in Rinkside in 2007

By Lucas Aykroyd
After losing Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes in June 2006, Shawn Horcoff and his Edmonton teammates couldn’t have known that times would soon get even tougher.
Superstar defenseman Chris Pronger surprisingly requested a trade a few days later, and other players who’d earned […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007
By Lucas Aykroyd
It’s no wonder Ryan Smyth feels so comfortable with the Colorado Avalanche. After all, during his 11 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, the gritty left winger scored more points against Colorado than any other NHL club (41).
Make no mistake, Smyth still has strong ties to the Alberta […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
If Jarome Iginla maintains his current pace, he’ll crack the 100-point barrier for the first time in his career this season. Better still, the Calgary captain is in contention for his second Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer, battling the likes of Tampa Bay’s Vincent […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
When Scott Niedermayer returned to the lineup of the Anaheim Ducks on December 16, it marked the end of a bizarre episode in NHL history.
It’s not unheard-of for a legendary defenseman to retire after winning a Stanley Cup. Viacheslav Fetisov did it in 1998, and Ray Bourque […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
For years, Marian Gaborik has been the most exciting player on arguably the NHL’s most boring, defensively minded team.
It’s shocking that this speedy Minnesota Wild right wing has never earned more than 67 points in one season (2001-02). But with 25 goals and 25 assists so far, […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Caring host families make a huge difference for young WHLers
When New York Rangers forward Scott Gomez was interviewed between periods on a recent Hockey Night in Canada telecast, the former Tri-City American made a point of saying hi to his billet family from his junior days.
This two-time […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008

By Lucas Aykroyd
Mike Modano is no longer the leading scorer for the Dallas Stars, and he was replaced as captain by Brenden Morrow prior to the 2006-07 season. However, the 37-year-old centre isn’t content to live off his reputation as the NHL’s all-time leading American points-getter, which he became […]

Originally published in the 2008 IIHF World Championship official program
By Lucas Aykroyd
Hockey history is full of memorable hat tricks of various types. How about Bill Mosienko’s never-equaled three goals in 21 seconds for Chicago versus the New York Rangers in 1952? Or you could point to Paul Henderson’s three consecutive game-winning tallies for Canada versus […]

Originally published in the 2008 IIHF World Championship official program
By Lucas Aykroyd
Some people visit Halifax for attractions like the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Pier 21, or the Halifax Citadel. But for hardcore sports fans, this port city of 370,000 is renowned for staging outstanding international hockey events.
Halifax’s Metro Centre will host 26 round-robin games […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Peter Stastny was the NHL’s second-leading scorer in the 1980’s behind Wayne Gretzky, and the Slovak legend amassed 1,239 career points between 1980 and 1995. His oldest son, Yan Stastny, will never match those totals, but is emulating the paternal example by wearing a St. Louis Blues […]