Hockey
 Michael Hiridjee

 
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This document
Copyright 1997, i5ive communications inc.

June 19, 1997
 Off season news

Hope and prayer

It was supposed to be a time of joy and celebration for the members of the Detroit Red Wings, the 1997 Stanley Cup champions. But the joy of winning the coveted Cup was overshadowed by the announcement, Friday, that Vladimir Konstantinov, Viacheslav Fetisov, and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov had been in a car accident, and had been transported to a nearby hospital. They were returning from a golf tournament in a limousine when the driver allegedly swerved to avoid a stalled vehicle and hit a tree. The driver of the limousine was driving with his license revoked, and has had a history of traffic violations. The latest news coming from the hospital is encouraging : Fetisov has already been released from the hospital; Konstantinov and the masseur remain in a coma but doctors are optimistic about the outcome, as both men have responded to commands given by doctors or their relatives.

The NHL gets 4 new teams

Nashville, Columbus, Minneapolis and Atlanta are the lucky cities to be awarded a National Hockey League franchise. The expansion will start in the 1998-99 season when Nashville joins the league, followed the next year by Atlanta and then, in 2000, by the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

This expansion means that the divisions will be realigned starting in 1998-99. The final realignment, which should be completed by the 2003-2004 season, should be as follows :

Eastern Conference

  • Atlantic division : New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
  • Northeast division : Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa
  • Southeast division : Atlanta, Carolina (ex-Hartford Whalers), Florida, Tampa Bay, Washington

    Western Conference

  • Central division : Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis
  • Northwest division : Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minneapolis, Vancouver
  • Pacific division : Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose

    Upcoming events :

  • Thursday, June 19th : The 1997 NHL awards ceremony (Toronto)
  • Saturday, June 21st : The 1997 NHL draft (Pittsburgh)

    • www.nhl.com
    The official NHL site has all a hockey fan could hope for : updated standings, statistics, and teams reports. The NHL and IBM have teamed up to make this site a definite must see !

    The WWW Hockeyguide
    With over 1100 links, this site is possibly the most extensive and practical list of hockey links on the web. The links are included in categories such as NHL Teams, NHL Info, Worldwide Hockey pages, and more. Don't know where to go ? Click here...

    LCS : Guide to Hockey
    This is not the usual hockey-related page. Le Coq Sportif gives more of an in-depth analysis of current NHL happenings than any other site. The features here are none less than a bi-weekly online issue of their Guide to Hockey, a daily update of hockey news and statistics, a chat zone, a hockey pool, and an archive of NHL records and achievements. This site is definitely made for the hockey fan, so if you are one, go take a peek !

    NHLPA
    This site is a many fans' favorite because it offers not only complete player statistics and information but also lots of extra features such as the Player of the Day.

    ESPNet Sportszone : NHL
    ESPNet offers the latest stories, trade rumours, and in-depth looks at what's occuring in the NHL. For the best post and pre-game talk, check this one out...