Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd Sam Gagner has a long way to go to catch up with his father Dave. To be precise, Sam trails by 791 career NHL games and 629 points. But the 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers center is gradually learning what it’ll take to match the consistency of […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd J-P Dumont is one of the NHL’s most anonymous stars. He recorded a career-best, team-leading 72 points with the Nashville Predators last season, but few hockey fans could pick him out on the street. That’s not really surprising. The talented right wing was chosen third […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]