Bure rockets to Rangers
New York Rangers fans have to be the happiest in hockey right now following the acquisition of three-time goal-scoring champion Pavel Bure. "The Russian Rocket" will be in the lineup tonight when the Rangers host the Vancouver Canucks.
The irony can't be missed. Bure rocketed to fame with the Canucks, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994 -- the first year he led the NHL in goals -- only to be defeated by the Rangers.
In 1999, the Rangers turned down a trade involving Bure with the Canucks, who then traded the Moscow native to the Florida Panthers, for whom he twice led the NHL in goals.
But Bure is a Ranger following the deal that sent defenseman Igor Ulanov, junior defenseman Filip Novak, the Rangers' first- and second-round picks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and their fourth-rounder in 2003 for Bure and Florida's second-round 2002 pick. The Rangers were glad not to part with U.S. Olympian Mike York whose name had been mentioned in earlier talks.
Madison Square Garden Chief Executive Jim Dolan sent his corporate jet to Florida to retrieve Bure who will skate with the Rangers this morning before playing tonight.
"He's a constant threat — he's somebody that can score any time he gets the puck on his stick," Rangers General Manager Glen Sather said. "He's a superstar. He's an artist with the puck. He's a great player."
Bure has had a troubled season. After leading the NHL with 58 and 59 goals the last two seasons, he started the season with a groin problem, then suffered a head injury in November and a broken hand in January. In 56 games, he has scored 22 goals and added 27 assists.
Rangers coach Ron Low hopes Bure's problems are behind him. The Rangers are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, in danger of missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
"To me, it's absolutely amazing," Low said. "I'm kind of excited. He's an obvious talent — one of the best, if not the best, goal-scorer in the league right now. He has had a tough year. But the biggest thing is: Is he excited to come? I'm sure he is."
The six-time All-Star and three-time goal-scoring champ, who turns 31 on March 31, has eclipsed the 50-goal mark five times in his 11-year NHL career.
... milestone game in 1980, hockey in the United States has grown significantly at the professional and amateur levels. (USA Hockey, N.d.)
Did you know that Wayne Gretzky holds more records than any other hockey player that is currently playing or has played?? According to Gretzky, Wayne started playing hockey at just six years of age. Biography.com states that Gretzky was ready to play in the NHL but his age created a problem in the beginning. Gretzky confirms that Gretzky holds the most records compared to any other player and had many capabilities on the ice. Gretzky states that Wayne has won many awards throughout his career, some he has won multiple times, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after retirement. According to Biography he couldn’t stay away from the sport, he became a coach and part owner of a team. Biography states that Gretzky now has a restaurant and winery, along with information from Gretzky saying he has a youth camo and a foundation. Wayne Gretzky was an impressive hockey player that has
It was Sunday, February 10, 2008 here in Buffalo at the HSBC Arena. The Buffalo Sabres were playing the Florida Panthers. Thousands of spectators cheered as Buffalo took a 4-3 lead. The puck flew down the ice to the corner left of goaltender Ryan Miller. Players from both team rushed after the puck, 10 minutes and 4 seconds into the 3rd period Florida forward Olli Jokinen...
He was a natural leader on the Oiler’s from the start. He was a good leader who showed through example. He tallied just as many goals and points as he did during his dominate younger seasons. During Gretzky’s first season for the Oilers, he tallied 46 goals and 110 points. It was shortly after his MVP, 110 point season, that the Edmonton Oilers joined the National Hockey League, and on October 10, 1979, Wayne’s legendary career in the National Hockey League began. Gretzky was a very hard worker on the ice even though his skill was superior to most players. His hard work and leadership earned him many trophies and records starting with his rookie season. He managed to score 51 goals in one season which put him in the records as the youngest player, 19 years old, to score 50 goals in one single season. He also started his streak of winning eight straight Hart Trophies after the 1979-1980 season. Some players may have been satisfied with winning awards and trophies, but Wayne became even more hungry for success. His second season in the league, he started his seven year streak for winning the Art Ross Trophy. The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the top goal scorer in the National Hockey League. Not only did he win the Art Ross trophy after his second season, but his stats also secured him a spot in the record books AGAIN! He set a record for most assists in a single season at 109 assists, and a record for most
and has been in the homerun derby many times. In 2011 he had 23 home runs, 89RBIs
Anxious to turn professional, but unable to join the NHL because of its age restrictions, Gretzky signed with the Indianapolis Racers of the developing World Hockey Association in the fall of 1978 (“Wayne Gretzky Biography”). Not long after Gretzky arrived the franchise closed its doors and sold its young asset to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. “In the fall of 1979, Gretzky embarked on his first full NHL season As he had at every other level, he quickly started to dominate the competition, racking up an astonishing 51 goals and 86 assists, on his way to winning the league's Hart Memorial Trophy, an award recognizing its most valuable player,” (“Wayne Gretzky Biography”). It was the first time in history a first-year player had ever been honored with the award. Gretzky went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy nine more times over the span of his career. To this day, he still holds the record for the most times that specific award has been given to an individual (Getz). Wayne Gretzky was a leader, and although his character as a person cannot be measured by mere statistics, he sure has some outstanding
His next opportunity came with the New York Highlanders. Again this opportunity did not last long. In one game he se...
... is still going to this day. He led his team as the longest serving captain the NHL has ever seen, earning him the name “Captain”. Yzerman also had the honor of having his number 19 retired by the Red Wings.
By age seven he was already known to local sports press for his hockey talent. At age ten he scored an incredible 159 goals in 55 games playing hockey in his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. He had a season point total of 280 points (Sidney-Crosby.info).
he hit an unprecedented 70 home runs that season. Of course nobody hits 70 homers without doing
"The Miracle on Ice– with Mike Eruzione." The Pink Puck. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.
Jackson, T., "NHL's Heroes and History - 1880 -1926 ," July 2, 2011, Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9qBRs8sX4&feature=related.
retire in these next few years. Him as a person, he is a great person no doubt all you hear about
Wayne Gretzky played 1487 games scored 894 goals and assisted on 1963 goals for a total of 2857 points. Lemieux played 915 games scored 690 goals and assisted on 1033 goals for a total of 1723 points. These numbers are elite and some of the best all time in hockey. Although the total numbers may seem to favor Gretzky when points are divided by games played, the average points per game played are similar. Lemieux with 1.88 and Gretzky at 1.92 average points per a game played. A point per game for current players is considered elite. Gretzky had a relatively healthy career missing far fewer games, while Lemieux battled back injuries, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and eventually retired due to an irregular heartbeat. Had Lemieux been healthier and played more games the points per game shows he may have had similar total numbers to Gretzky. The style of power forward Lemieux played could have contributed to the back injury causing him to miss additional time. Yet still amazing numbers for a shortened career beset by injuries and illness. Considering where each player played during their career could affect how greatness is
Skkkt..skkkkt...your ice skate blade grits across the ice. But what are you doing, figure skating? No it’s hockey! Did you know that the first hockey team was formed in 1877 and that hockey was originated in Windsor, Nova Scotia? Would you like to play ice hockey? Well, a famous NFL (national hockey league) player by the name Shae Weber said, “I’m definitely hoping to stay, just like anyone would. That’s the ultimate goal, but I’m just taking things one step at a time.” Shea Weber is currently an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League, and he is an NHL All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Most people say hockey is boring, but it’s very challenging, fun, and a exciting way to stay active.