UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE (10/19/97)

UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

Fifty-three Ukrainians on '97 NHL training camp rosters

A whopping 53 professional hockey players of Ukrainian descent found themselves on official National Hockey League training camp rosters and in training camps as the 1997-1998 hockey season got under way. Not a misprint, folks: 53! They range in stature, ability and age, from venerable veterans like Wayne Gretzky and Dave Babych, to the still-teenage Joey Tetarenko and Daniel Tkaczuk. More than half of them will either be returned to their junior teams or reassigned to minor league affiliates. Twenty-something of them will deservedly earn highly competitive spots on opening day team rosters.

Geographically speaking, it seems as if Ukrainian hockey players are not too popular on the West Coast. The hotbed for Ukes is definitely in America's midwest. Twenty-four Ukrainian pucksters are found on teams in the Eastern Conference, 29 in the Western. Fourteen Ukrainians in the Atlantic Division, 10 in the Northeast. Twenty Ukes dot rosters in the West's Central Division, but only nine are located in the Pacific.

Franchise-wise, two clubs have nary a Ukrainian on their roster: Anaheim and Los Angeles. Eleven squads have one Ukrainian, three teams boast a pair of Ukes each, six organizations list three Ukrainians, two teams have four each, and five Ukes dot the training camp rosters of Dallas and St. Louis.

Of the 53 players, five opted for the game's most difficult and challenging position of goaltender, while all of 23 selected to play defense. The remaining 25 chose to play forward: 11 right wingers, seven centermen and seven right wings.

Here is a detailed breakdown of Ukrainians on 1997 NHL training camp rosters by conference and division, teams listed alphabetically. Players are mentioned by position with a brief comment as to their NHL status and potential contributions in 1997-1998.

In the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, we start with the Florida Panthers. Right wing David Nemirovsky will earn a regular spot on Florida's third forward line. Young defenseman Joey Tetarenko will be returned to his junior team, and we're still trying to find out about center Herbert Vasilijev. A familiar trio of Ukrainians on the New Jersey Devils: veteran netminder Peter Sidorkiewicz is again odd-man-out and returns to the AHL. Sidorkiewicz should go to the nearest McDonald's because he definitely deserves a break today. Veteran blueliner Kenny Daneyko returns for still another season of punishment as does veteran left wing Dave Andreychuk. These two guys continue to be key Devils. It appears GM Mike Milbury will give free agent acquisition Yevgeny Namestnikov a real opportunity on Long Island. The kid has racked up decent scoring totals in Vancouver's farm system and truly deserves this shot. With Mark Messier taking the money and running off to Vancouver, the New York Rangers now become Wayne Gretzky's team. Surround the NHL's most gifted-ever centerman with two good quality wingers and pencil in "The Great One" for 100+ points this coming season. Disappointing draft pick defenseman Lee Sorochan is running out of chances and minor league options. Philadelphia lists enforcer-defenseman-winger Frank Bialowas on its roster, but Bialowas will do his skating on Philadelphia's other team - the AHL's Phantoms. Blueliner Kyle Kos is destined for seasoning somewhere in Tampa Bay's farm system. Three of Washington's top nine forwards are Ukrainians: top gun right wing Peter Bondra, feisty and dependable left wing Steve Konowalchuk and the enigmatic left wing Andrei Nikolishin. Stay tuned for a developing story on super sniper Bondra.

Up in the Eastern's Northeast Division, guess what? There's finally a Ukrainian skating in Beantown. Boston acquired left wing/center Dimitri Khristich in an off-season swap with Los Angeles. On a rebuilding young team, look for the experienced Khristich to be a major contributor offensively. He led the Bruins in scoring in the pre-season, adapting well to many different linemates. Buffalo's two Ukrainians are both defensemen: the reliable and steady Alexei Zhitnik and youngster Sergei Klimentiev, destined for more duty in Rochester (AHL). The Carolina Hurricanes (used to be Hartford Whalers) entered training camp with four Ukes, two of whom are related. Rock solid defenseman Curtis Leschyshyn's cousin is young left wing Trevor Wasyluk, their 1996 top draftee. Wasyluk will undoubtedly join defenseman Steve Halko in New Haven (AHL). Center Steve Wasylko will be returned to juniors. Defenseman Steve Cheredaryk cracked the French barrier in Montreal, but after a quick look was assigned to Fredericton (AHL). Left wing Mike Maneluk was picked up by Ottawa for his offensive skills to be displayed this coming season in the IHL. Still going strong after all these years, now in Pittsburgh, is left wing Eddie Olczyk. The Mario-less Penguins will be very glad to have Eddie's "O" (as in offense) in 1997-1998.

In the Western Conference's Central Division one finds 20 Ukrainian pucksters. We start in the Windy City, with, unfortunately, two career minor league left wings in Ryan Huska and Dave Chyzowski. The only way these boys will see action in Chicago is emergency injury backup. Otherwise, see you guys in Indianapolis (IHL). One of two squads with five Ukrainians on its roster is Dallas. Of the five, probably defenseman Richard Matvichuk is the only true Star. Right wing Pat Elynuik was brought in as a try-out. Veteran centerman Tony Hrkac was given a two-year contract and is definitely on the bubble for a roster spot. Defenseman Brad Lukowich is a minor leaguer, while defenseman Evgeny Tsybuk is an unknown. The Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings have right wing tough guy Joey Kocur back for another year. Kocur separated his shoulder late in camp. The Wings also list two unknowns on their roster: blueliner Chad Wilchynsky and left wing Paul Goleniak. A guess is back to juniors. Captain Coyote Keith Tkachuk (LW) and future Norris Trophy candidate Oleg Tverdovsky are two major Ukrainian headaches in Phoenix. Tkachuk has been suspended due to a demanded contract re-negotiation, while Tverdovsky is an unsigned restricted free agent holding out for major bucks. (More on Tkachuk later.) Backup goalie Darcy Wakaluk will be out a couple of more months rehabilitating his knee surgery. Young defenseman Alex Andreyev is an unknown thus far. The other of two organizations with five Ukrainians is St. Louis. Defenseman Alexander Godynyuk was acquired in a trade with Carolina. He'll play. Goaltender Mike Buzak still has some potential, but will see his playing time in the lower minor leagues. Joining him in the minors will be defender Nick Naumenko, right wing Alex Vasilevski, and, for the first time, young left wing Jonathan Zukiwsky. Toronto's loan Ukrainian representative, right wing Mark Kolesar, is once again on his way to St. John's (AHL).

Out in the Western's Pacific Division we find only a smattering of Ukrainians dotting NHL rosters. No Ukie Ducks on the Pond at Anaheim. However, there are three Ukrainians each in Calgary and Colorado. Todd Hlushko has earned a permanent center slot with the Flames. Top draft pick center Daniel Tkaczuk experienced his first NHL training camp and was returned to juniors. Right wing Greg Pankiewicz got sent down to the AHL. In Colorado, it's a Ukrainian youth movement. Defenseman Wade Belak was his team's top pick in the 1994 entry draft and could stick with the parent club. He's 6-foot-four and 205 pounds. His brother, also a defenseman, Graham, was Colorado's second selection in the 1997 entry draft. Graham is back to juniors, as is future goaltender Randy Petruk. The Edmonton Oilers took a budgeted gamble on oft-injured defenseman Drake Berehowsky, who is probably ticketed for the minors. Zero Ukes in L.A. Veteran netminder Kelly Hrudey returns for more pucks and ambushes in San Jose's nets. "Old Man River," Vancouver backliner Dave Babych, reupped for two more years. Babych was ecstatic to hear Mark Messier was coming to Vancouver from the Rangers because he'd finally have a teammate with less hair than himself.

Of other interest: Dale "Ducky" Hawerchuk announced his retirement from hockey (more on this story later), and veteran Brian Bellows was not offered a contract and remains an unrestricted free agent waiting for his telephone to ring.

Ukrainian transactions

Carolina: Alexander Godynyuk, D, traded to St. Louis. Brent Fedyk, RW, signed to try-out.
Detroit: Joey Kocur, RW, signed one-year contract.
Los Angeles: Dimitri Khristich, LW-C, traded to Boston.
Philadelphia: Dale Hawerchuk, C, retired.
Ottawa: Mike Maneluk, LW, signed multi-year contract.
Vancouver: Dave Babych, D, signed two-year contract.
Washington: Andrei Nikolishin, C, agreed to one-year contract.

Tkachuk at odds over contract

The Phoenix Coyotes suspended captain Keith Tkachuk indefinitely after the Ukrainian All-Star left winger and the NHL's reigning goal-scoring leader refused to play in any games until his contract is negotiated.

Tkachuk, who is under contract for three more seasons, officially became a holdout when he told GM Bobby Smith he wouldn't play in the club's final pre-season game on September 27 at Dallas.

Tkachuk reported to training camp amid reports he was contemplating a holdout, but he vehemently denied that. He had been practicing with the team daily, but was kept out of the line-up in what Smith originally said was the club's decision.

However, Smith said he "was only covering" for Tkachuk who never had any intentions of playing. Now, it appears the Coyotes' top player will sit until the club makes him one of the richest players in the league.

Smith has been negotiating a contract extension with Tkachuk's agent, Bob Murray. Smith told Tkachuk he expected him to honor the existing contract, which is scheduled to pay him $2.8 million this season and next, and $3 million in 1999-2000.

However, Tkachuk - who made $6 million two years ago in the first year of his five-year, $17.4 million deal - apparently wants his contract restructured so he makes at least $7 million a season.

Bondra out, too

The Washington Capitals' sprint through training camp encountered some very rough road early in the exhibition season. And the hangover from the problem could very well be long and painful.

Right winger Peter Bondra, who has averaged 49 goals in each of the past two seasons, claims he and his agent, Rich Winter, were told last March his contract would be renegotiated. When talks took longer than what Bondra thought they should, he refused to participate in exhibition games, saying a serious injury might complicate the negotiations.

GM George McPhee suspended Bondra on September 19 for not honoring his contract, which has three years to run. McPhee said there would be no further talks until Bondra returns with a commitment to fully honor his obligations.

Bondra is scheduled to make $2.1 million this season, the middle year in a five-year deal. The two sides apparently have agreed on finances on a new three-year deal: $2.9 million, $3 million and $3.2 million.

But the length of the contract is the sticking point. The Caps were insisting on a fourth year as the price for renegotiating; Bondra and Winter wanted the deal kept at three years, which will make the 29-year-old an unrestricted free agent when it expires.

Double coyote trouble

Unsigned defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky indicated his desire to be traded. Tverdovsky was actually demanding close to $2 million per season. GM Bobby Smith said in late-September a trade was out of the question. Greedy II? Not necessarily this time. Is Tverdovsky worth these big bucks? All things considered, he probably is. Go for it!

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