By Lucas Aykroyd How many of today’s international hockey stars tied their own skates, taught themselves how to shoot and pass, and drove themselves to games when they were kids? The answer is obvious, and that’s why players typically thank their parents for supporting them en route to the big time. In many cases, a […]

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 on EuroReport in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke recently told EuroReport about his expectations for several of the team’s European prospects in 2000-01. Jarkko Ruutu (LW, Finland): “He’s a very aggravating presence, like Esa Tikkanen was in his prime, only bigger and stronger. He likes to bang and he […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 1999 By Lucas Aykroyd Memory check: who captained Team Sweden at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano? If you guessed Mats Sundin or Peter Forsberg, no one would raise an eyebrow. But as it turns out, the man with the C was a quietly effective veteran defender—no, not Niklas […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 1999 By Lucas Aykroyd After the Ottawa Senators were swept in the first round of the NHL playoffs last year, Daniel Alfredsson had a big weight to carry on his back all summer. He didn’t whine. He made the most of it. Alfredsson pumped up his leg squat to six […]