Originally published in Rinkside in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd It may seem hard to believe now, but at one time, Finland produced fewer quality goalies than any other major hockey nation. Want proof? Check out the scoresheets from the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup. In their first best-on-best competition, the Finns lost 11-2 to Canada, 8-0 […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd In a parallel universe where the Soviet Union didn’t collapse, Sergei Fedorov might still be centering USSR national team coach Viktor Tikhonov’s top line with Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny. In actuality, this NHL legend celebrated his 37th birthday on December 12 with a fifth […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001 By Lucas Aykroyd Last year, the less-informed hockey fan might have wondered if his surname was a misspelling of “Nabob Tea.” This year, the whole NHL knows who Evgeni Nabokov is. Combining sharp reflexes with an aggressive challenging style, the San Jose Sharks rookie is bidding to become the […]

Originally published in the 2001 NHL Playoff Program By Lucas Aykroyd Who will become the first European player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy? Given the prevalence of Europeans in today’s NHL, it might come as a surprise to you that none of them has won playoff MVP honors yet. However, in the past, many […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Adrian Aucoin is well aware that money can’t buy happiness. The veteran defenseman signed a deal worth $16 million over four years with Chicago in August 2005. But the Blackhawks missed the playoffs in 2005-06, which they’ve done in seven out of the last eight […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Jonathan Cheechoo more than tripled his goal production from his rookie NHL season (9) to his sophomore year (28), but that didn’t make the San Jose Sharks winger a household name. Yet when Cheechoo racked up 56 goals to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd Did Accept’s 1982 speed-metal anthem “Fast As A Shark” point to the future exploits of Christian Ehrhoff, who was born in that year? Probably not, but the fact remains that the third-year NHLer has gained respect with San Jose as one of the world’s fastest-skating […]

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 Eishockey News in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Doug Weight made his NHL debut on April 13, 1991 with the New York Rangers, but it took until June 19, 2006 for him to quench his thirst for Stanley Cup champagne with the Carolina Hurricanes. Yet in the off-season, the 35-year-old playmaking center signed […]