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, […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Rexall Place offers superb skating conditions, but has also seen some great hockey history, courtesy of CHL products. Historically, NHL players have hailed the ice in Edmonton as the league’s best. Since the 2007 debut of the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings, WHLers have also gotten […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Are the Vancouver Canucks a Stanley Cup contender? You might think so, simply due to the presence of superstar goalie Roberto Luongo. In addition, recent rumors claim Vancouver GM Dave Nonis could be looking to acquire Toronto captain Mats Sundin to ramp up his club’s […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Originally published in the 2008 IIHF World Championship official program By Lucas Aykroyd Back in 1991, only eight national teams competed in the IIHF World Championship. At this year’s tournament in Halifax and Quebec City, there’ll be twice as many. It just goes to show how puck fever is sweeping the planet, and without Canadian […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd How often does a team’s leading goal-scorer have four times as many goals as assists? It’s a bizarre statistic, but Marek Svatos of the Colorado Avalanche is pulling it off. The 25-year-old Slovak winger entered a February 9 game versus the Vancouver Canucks with 22 […]