Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2009 By Lucas Aykroyd The world was a tumultuous place in 1979. The Iranian Revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Three Mile Island nuclear accident made headlines. But the annual NHL draft offered a ray of light for hockey fans with an unprecedented influx of talent, mostly […]

Originally published in the official 2009 World Junior Program From the 19th century to the 21st, Ottawa’s hockey heritage is legendary By Lucas Aykroyd Even if it was just about checking birth certificates, Ottawa’s contribution to hockey history would be huge. Dozens of NHLers were born in the host city for the 2009 IIHF World […]

Originally published in the official 2009 World Junior Program Canada’s 1988 World Junior team reunites to celebrate its amazing run to gold By Lucas Aykroyd Many things have changed since 1988. Back then, Brian Mulroney was Canada’s Prime Minister, and pop artists like George Michael and Def Leppard ruled the charts. However, memories of Canada’s […]

I’d be remiss if I didn’t link to one of Joe Pelletier’s best posts this summer: The Gretzky Trade: 20 Years Later. Joe’s rounded up just about every bit of retrospective analysis on the Internet about the landmark deal that sent the Great One to L.A., and offers his own reminiscences. I remember August 9, […]

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 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 Prospects Hockey in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd The Kitchener Rangers, the host team for the 2008 Memorial Cup, have produced too many notable NHLers to name. Here are 15 of the best. Bill Barber: He scored 20-plus goals in each of his 11 NHL seasons and earned two Stanley Cups with the […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Seven players have scored sudden-death Memorial Cup-winning goals, and it’s been their greatest hockey feat. The only thing sweeter than winning a championship is doing it in overtime. Who can forget the image of Bobby Orr soaring through the air after scoring the OT winner […]