Originally published on HockeyCanada.ca in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Even though this is the first time Vancouver has hosted the World Juniors, the West Coast metropolis of 2 million has plenty of historical connections to this elite tournament. The legendary Ernie “Punch” McLean was best-known as the coach of the WHL’s New Westminster Bruins, which […]

Originally published on HockeyCanada.ca in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Most Canadian hockey fans have a soft spot for the Finns. After all, they employ a hard-working, physical style that’s reminiscent of Canada’s, and numerous Finnish players have starred in Canadian NHL cities, especially out West. The Edmonton Oilers might not have five Stanley Cups to […]

Originally published on HockeyCanada.ca in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd For hockey fans in the Great White North, there is no greater international rivalry than the one between Canada and Russia. That’s because historically the Russians have pushed Canada harder than any other nation. In saying that, there’s no disrespect intended toward the USA. Over the […]

Originally published on IIHF.com in 2002 By Lucas Aykroyd Before yesterday’s shocking result, Sweden losing to Belarus in Olympic hockey seemed about as likely as Greta Garbo posing for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue or ABBA releasing a gangsta rap album. Belarus’s 4-3 upset in the quarter-finals will never be forgotten by Swedish hockey fans, […]

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd If you’re a Swedish hockey fan, you surely remember where you were when Nicklas Lidstrom scored the Olympic-winning goal versus Finland last year. If you’re a Slovak hockey fan, you must recall what you were doing when Peter Bondra’s late goal lifted Slovakia over Russia in […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd In 1958, a Canadian forward named Connie Broden won an IIHF World Championship in Oslo, Norway, and then a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens the following month. Since today’s senior World Championship rosters generally consist of players eliminated from NHL playoff contention, odds are […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Canada clearly ruled the hockey world from 2002 to 2005, holding every major title early in the latter year (Olympics, World Cup, World Championship, and World Juniors). However, it’s equally clear that 2006 belonged to Sweden. Even though Brent Sutter’s Canadian World Junior team earned […]

Originally published in Rinkside in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd There’s no doubt about it. Serving as the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation can be a complex juggling act. After all, René Fasel doesn’t just oversee the development of hockey in 63 member nations. The 53-year-old Swiss native also bears the chief responsibility for […]

By Lucas Aykroyd When it comes to Vancouver’s burgeoning reputation as a venue for world-class events, “synergy” is more than a corporate buzzword or name for a high-tech hockey stick. Since being awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics, this scenic, multicultural city of 2 million has also earned the right to host the 2005 Grey Cup, […]

Originally published in Full Tilt in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd If you have a Canucks logo tattooed on one bicep and a Canadian Maple Leaf on the other, hopefully you wore long-sleeved shirts in February. International hockey is wonderful when you win, but it’s a cold feeling when you lose. Before the 2006 Olympics kicked […]