Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2002 By Lucas Aykroyd 1987 was a landmark year for Canadian hockey, as the Edmonton Oilers won their third Stanley Cup and the host nation captured the Canada Cup for the third time. The Western Hockey League mirrored this positive trend. With the emergence of high-scoring talents like Joe […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd Chocolate or vanilla? Classical or heavy metal? Leafs or Habs? Whatever the subject, everybody’s got their favourites. When it comes to choosing favourite hockey players, the motivations aren’t always obvious. Of course, most people love a scoring superstar with a silky touch, or a scrappy […]

Originally published in the 2004 NHL Yearbook By Lucas Aykroyd In biology, it’s known as a symbiotic relationship. Two organisms feeding off each other for mutual benefit, like the bee and the flower. In today’s National Hockey League, the equivalent is a dynamic duo whose offensive production stings opponents but sweetens their team’s success. Look […]

Originally published in the NHL All-Star Game Program in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd “Honk If You Love Goals And Assists.” Maybe that’s the bumper sticker they should put on the vehicle awarded annually to the NHL All-Star Game MVP. Out of the 28 occasions in NHL history when the MVP has scored new wheels, 23 […]

Originally published in Full Tilt in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd The official motto of British Columbia is “Splendour Without Diminishment.” But even if you agree with former premier Bill Vander Zalm that life here in Lotusland is fantastic, there’s no denying the lows are just as much a part of our sporting tradition as the […]

By Lucas Aykroyd On December 31, 1975, Vladislav Tretiak put on his own fireworks display. But instead of lighting up the night sky that New Year’s Eve, the legendary Russian goalie dazzled hockey fans at the Montreal Forum. He made 35 saves as his Red Army earned a 3-3 exhibition tie with the Montreal Canadiens. […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd Kids. It’s so hard to predict how they’ll turn out. Flamboyant rock star David Lee Roth was the son of an eye doctor. The father of French painter Paul Cezanne originally wanted his son to become a lawyer. Talk about surprises! However, as a parent […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd What’s even more fun than cheering for your favourite CHL team? Often the answer is: “Booing our hated divisional rivals!” Rivalries inevitably blossom when you’re facing another club six times a year in many cases. In those grudge matches, teams often discover what kind of […]

Originally published in Rinkside in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd Heading into 2003-04, optimism among Vancouver Canucks fans was at an all-time high. Despite bowing to the Minnesota Wild in the second round of last year’s playoffs, the team had made great strides. Vancouver’s exciting, offensive-minded game paid off with a franchise-record 104 points in 2002-03, […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Going for a third consecutive championship in hockey is never easy. Just ask the 1986 Edmonton Oilers or the 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins, who failed in their quests for triple Stanley Cup glory. However, the challenge can be even greater at the IIHF World Junior Championships, […]