Nieuwendyk to be named Stars GM

Joe Nieuwendyk, who served this past year as Leafs’ special assistant to the general manager, will be named as GM of the Dallas Stars on Monday, TSN reports.

“I am very excited about returning to the Dallas Stars as General Manager,” said Nieuwendyk. “I am ready for this opportunity. The Dallas Stars have built a winning tradition over the years and I want to help continue that legacy.

In 1999, Nieuwendyk won the second Stanley Cup of his career while playing with Dallas, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Most recently, the 42-year-old Whitby native served as assistant general manager for Team Canada at the 2009 World Championships.

Links: TSN.ca | TMLfans.ca message boards | Off The Post – Dec. 8, 08

Top Shelf: Gretzky, Indy, and the WHA

By Rob Del Mundo

DVD review: Gretzky, Indy, & the WHA by Timothy Gassen, Purple Cactus Media Productions

The Indianapolis Racers lasted only four and a half seasons in the World Hockey Association from 1974-79. While the team, and the league, may be foreign to a younger generation of hockey fans fixated on current stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, a new DVD entitled Gretzky, Indy, & the WHA preserves the Racers’ legacy.

Arizona resident Timothy Gassen, the documentary’s producer and director, had no easy task in compiling the archival footage of Indianapolis hockey, which includes Wayne Gretzky’s first professional goal, scored as a Racer against Dave Dryden of the Edmonton Oilers.

“I was told that the footage did not exist,” said Gassen, who became an instant fan of the team as a teenager in 1974. “So I took all my research and I wrote a book which came out a year and a half ago. That led me to people who literally in their garage had kept tapes for 30 years that had been thrown away by television stations.

“We found what might be the earliest videotape of Wayne Gretzky as an Edmonton Oiler, a complete game when they played against Indianapolis, just a couple of days before the team folded in 1978. I’m delighted to bring that to fans, now.”

The Racers were more than just a historical footnote as “the team that launched The Great One’s career”. Playing before sellout crowds at Market Square Arena, the team developed an enormous following of passionate fans, coming within a game of advancing to the Avco Cup final in 1976.

The ‘75-76 team was coached by future Stanley Cup champion and Jack Adams Trophy winner Jacques Demers. Former Leafs captain Dave Keon brought his leadership skills to the dressing room, and the squad was led on the blueline by Pat “Whitey” Stapleton.

Stapleton, who enjoyed a lengthy NHL career with Boston and Chicago and played for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series, truly appreciates the impact of the WHA in shaping the present-day game.

“I think it’s really important to see that history is still remembered,” said the defenceman, who served as Indianapolis’ coach and general manager in the team’s final season. “As I always say, your past is very important because it brought you right to here. The WHA was the beginning of what hockey is today, and that’s why you have to have great respect for the Bobby Hulls of the world, the Gerry Cheevers’ and JC Tremblays.”

The documentary is narrated by long-time Racers broadcaster and current voice of the Indianapolis Colts Bob Lamey. The two DVD-set is packed with vintage game footage that includes the third period of a playoff game against the Racers’ fiercest rivals – the Cincinnati Stingers.

Gassen has managed to resurrect many long-forgotten interviews, including Demers on camera after the playoff sweep of the Stingers in 1977, and also a 17-year-old Gretzky on the radio, awe-struck at having turned pro. The filmmaker has sights on similar projects involving other WHA teams such as the Houston Aeros, all aiming to serve as further tributes to the former rebel league.

“I want young fans to know that this generation of hockey players did the hard work that turned into this great game today. The WHA were the first to bring over European players. They changed the rules to open up offensive hockey. You don’t need to know anything about the WHA for this to be a fascinating story,” said Gassen proudly.

Stapleton toiled for four playing seasons in the WHA, two with the Racers. Recalling fondly the team’s interaction with the die-hard fans during his tenure, Stapleton is grateful that the stories from that era can be passed on to future generations.

“It’s wonderful for myself to have 13 grandchildren that can look back and see that part of history. I’m very proud to be part of it.”

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Rob Del Mundo is the author of Top Shelf, a regular column at TMLfans.ca

Gretzky, Indy, & the WHA is available for purchase at WHARacers.com.

Sunday news: Bouncy boards give Wings the edge in Game One

The Detroit Red Wings drew first blood in the Stanley Cup Final, taking the opening game by a score of 3-1 thanks to some strange bounces. Both Brad Stuart and Johan Franzen were the beneficiaries of a pair of wild caroms off the end boards at Joe Louis Arena, resulting in the first two Detroit goals of the game.

Ruslan Fedotenko was the only Penguins player to score while Wings’ foot soldier Justin Abdelkader had the insurance marker in the third period. The game got a bit chippy when the final buzzer sounded as Sidney Crosby reacted to some trash-talking from Kirk Maltby with an unfriendly slash.

Game Two goes tonight at 8pm on CBC.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave his ’state of the union’ address to reporters, insisting that the conflict between him and potential Coyotes owner Jim Balsillie is “nothing personal”.

Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:

Leafs News

• Peter Zezel’s loss will be felt in many corners Toronto Sun

Stanley Cup Final

• Malkin delivers or bust MaxHockey.com
• Round 1 to Red Wings Ottawa Sun
• ‘It’s not personal’ Ottawa Sun
• Chelios keen on T.O.-area team Ottawa Sun
• Red Wings off and flying Toronto Star
• Game helps take focus from NHL’s off-ice woes Toronto Star
• Fleury of misfortune gives Wings win in opener Windsor Star
• Lucky Wings open series with victory Vancouver Sun
• Wings take first game of Stanley Cup The Globe And Mail

NHL and Hockey News

• Mountain men appeal to Matt Toronto Sun
• Duchene moving up Toronto Sun
• Bettman extends olive branch over Coyotes debacle The Globe And Mail
• Bears capture AHL Calder Cup opener CP
• Love of the game keeps Keane playing National Post

Saturday news: Burke to open up vault

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star caught up with Leafs’ GM Brian Burke at the annual draft combine in Toronto. Burke also divulged that the Leafs will open up the vault this summer.

“We intend to be pushing the cap every year,” said Burke. “We want to spend the money intelligently. “We’re Big Blue, we’re going to spend to the cap.”

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun reports that the possibility of Burke landing highly-coveted prospect John Tavares is very remote, at best.

In Mississauga, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Peter Zezel, who was laid to rest. David Alter of the FAN 590 filed an excellent audio report in which many of Zezel’s former teammates and friends shared their reflections.

The Stanley Cup Final begins this evening at Joe Louis Arenas as Detroit and Pittsburgh battle for hockey’s Holy Grail for the second straight year. (8pm ET, CBC). The Wings expect to have Nicklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper back from injury, while Pavel Datsyuk will be a game-time decision.

Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:

Leafs News

• So close, yet so far Toronto Sun
• Leafs’ Burke vows ‘to spend to the cap’ Toronto Star
• Will Leafs be the Schenn brothers’ keeper? The Globe And Mail
• A Day To Gather More Information MapleLeafs.com
• Burke Still Aiming To Move Up At Draft MapleLeafs.com
• Zezel laid to rest Toronto Sun
• Zezel was `a loving, generous person’ Toronto Star
• Remembering Peter Zezel FAN 590

Stanley Cup Final

• Wings get ‘em back Ottawa Sun
• Hossa only sees Red Ottawa Sun
• Red Wings’ Hossa hopes he made the right choice AP
• Non-stop Crosby show irks Babcock Ottawa Sun
• Penguins feel better prepared for Wings Toronto Star
• Stanley Cup forecast Toronto Star
• Red Wings in line for Cup repeat Faceoff.com
• Pittsburgh fish shops unite National Post
• Crosby has learned to change his game Windsor Star
• Renewed hostilities Windsor Star
• Coach Bylsma’s improbable rise to the Cup finals The Globe And Mail
• Hockey Musings From MoTown FAN 590

NHL and Hockey News

• Balsillie unveils dramatic plans for Copps Toronto Sun
• Swanky Copps looks eerily familiar Toronto Star
• Balsillie plans $150M Copps renovation National Post
• Refurbishments to Copps an easy sell for Hamiltonians The Globe And Mail
• Bettman’s sunbelt strategy hits a rut The Globe And Mail
• New team could jeopardize Sabres’ ticket base The Globe And Mail
• NHL’s future superstars stay positive Toronto Star
• Hedman could be “once in a lifetime player” National Post
• Ex-NHLer Danton nears release from prison Ottawa Citizen

Friday news: Burke’s priorites – Goaltending, draft, and free agency

In today’s Toronto Sun, Steve Simmons provides an update on Leafs GM Brian Burke’s immediate priorities heading into next month’s entry draft. At the top of the list is attempting to sign Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson. Burke’s alternative plan of acquiring a backup goalie through either trade or free agency all but signals the end of Justin Pogge’s career in Toronto.

Secondly, Burke would like to trade up in the draft where the Leafs currently hold the #7 pick, although no movement has been made on that front.

Third on the list is pursuing free agents when the market opens on July 1. High profile UFA’s include the Sedin twins, Mike Cammalleri and Marian Gaborik, although Simmons suggests that defenceman Mike Komisarek may be a better fit.

“My teams are physical teams,” Burke said. “I want a bigger, more hostile team. I have not been able to do that yet. We need more bite.”

Around the league, the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran reports that lawyers for Coyotes’ owner Jerry Moyes are seeking an new emergency hearing – by June 3 – in order to get the NHL to hand over its timetable on franchise relocation.

The Stanley Cup final begins tomorrow in Detroit.

Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:

Leafs News

• Leafs GM: ‘We need more bite’ Toronto Sun

Stanley Cup Final

• March of the Penguins Ottawa Sun
• Look for Nick in Game 1 help Toronto Sun
• Stanley Cup final’s Fab Four Toronto Star
• Penguins hungry for battered Wings in final AP
• NHL wins, Red Wings lose after quick conference finals National Post
• Red Wings in no rush to start but TV network is The Globe And Mail
• Fleury versus Osgood The Globe And Mail
• Bob Cole won’t call final this year Toronto Star

NHL News

• ‘Hawks down, bright future AP
• Moyes seeks new hearing Toronto Star
• Coyotes burning through the cash The Globe And Mail
• Lafleur will appeal conviction Montreal Gazette
• Steroids in hockey inevitable National Post
• Propsect Profile – Brayden Schenn MapleLeafs.com

Thursday news: Wings, Penguins to play for the Cup – again

Darren Helm’s overtime winner clinched the Conference Final series for the Detroit Red Wings, pitting them against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year. In 2008, Detroit defeated Pittsburgh in a six-game series to clinch their fourth title in 11 years.

Twelve months later, the final series is anticipated to be much closer, with young superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin having learned from their previous disappointment.

The first two games will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Michael Traikos of the National Post profiles Luke Schenn’s younger brother Brayden, a star forward with the Brandon Wheat Kings who is slated to be a high-end draft selection next month.

The funeral for Leafs alumnus Peter Zezel will be held Friday in Mississauga.

Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:

Leafs News

• Junior Schenn on Leafs’ draft radar National Post
• Ex-Leaf Zezel’s funeral tomorrow Toronto Star

Stanley Cup Final

• De Lux Hockey MaxHockey.com
• Helm powers Detroit into final AP
• Pens-Wings, the sequel Calgary Sun
• Penguins ready for another shot at the Cup AP
• Wings soar into Cup final Toronto Star
• Banged-up Red Wings off to Stanley Cup final Faceoff.com
• Finagling over the final The Globe And Mail
• Penguins draw comparisons to ‘84 Oilers The Globe And Mail
• Schedule for NHL finals released The Globe And Mail

NHL News

• Hearing for the Coyotes on June 9 Toronto Sun
• Judge puts Coyotes on fast track for sale Toronto Star
• Judge to expedite relocation ruling in Coyotes’ case Faceoff.com
• Tavares company not interested: source The Globe And Mail
• Alleged steroid dealer says Caps his clients AP
• Florida man claims he sold steroids to Capitals players Toronto Star
• NHL must get serious about steroids Toronto Star
• Roy says no to the Avs AP
• Hitchcock a fan of Oilers’ coaching dream team Edmonton Journal
• Bob Cole Disappointed His Streak Is Over FAN 590

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