Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008 By Lucas Aykroyd Peter Stastny was the NHL’s second-leading scorer in the 1980’s behind Wayne Gretzky, and the Slovak legend amassed 1,239 career points between 1980 and 1995. His oldest son, Yan Stastny, will never match those totals, but is emulating the paternal example by wearing a St. […]

When Brett Hull played in the NHL, he was a great right winger and an even better quote. But ever since the former 741-goal scorer was named the interim co-general manager of the Dallas Stars (along with Les Jackson) on November 11, replacing Doug Armstrong, he’s been a crashing bore. The former Stars “Ambassador of […]

One of the NHL’s top young offensive forwards inadvertently jabs his stick into the eye of an emerging American star. Does that sound horribly familiar? It’s what happened when Marian Hossa’s follow-through clipped Bryan Berard in an Ottawa Senators-New York Islanders game on March 11, 2000. It’s also what happened when Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby had […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd Alexander Khavanov may not get the recognition he deserves. At 28, he’s too old to be nominated for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. The ex-Dynamo Moscow defenseman isn’t even profiled in the St. Louis Blues media guide. But early in the season, his […]

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd How often do you see an NHLer achieve single-season highs in goals, assists, and points, and also get placed on waivers that year? That’s the strange fate that befell St. Louis forward Petr Cajanek on February 26, as the club was apparently displeased with his lack […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001 By Lucas Aykroyd Roman Turek’s nickname with the St. Louis Blues is “Large.” Since he’s 188 cm and 98 kg, it’s not hard to see why. But the 30-year-old Czech goaltender is also playing a large role with his NHL club for the second straight season. Head coach Joel […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd On a St. Louis Blues squad that boasts such perennial Norris Trophy candidates as Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger, the name of Ricard Persson is easy to overlook. But the shaven-headed 30-year-old defenseman from Ostersund, Sweden knows his value to the team isn’t measured in bone-crushing […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 1999 By Lucas Aykroyd German soccer is world-renowned, but German hockey has some way to go before it can be considered on a par with the Big Six of Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden, the United States, and the Czech Republic. Players like Jochen Hecht are doing much to enhance their […]

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 […]