UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE (11/02/97)

UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

"Ducky" walks off pond for final time

The handwriting was on the medical chart ... and on the Philadelphia Flyers' depth chart. Ukrainian Dale "Ducky" Hawerchuk ended a 16-year career when he announced his retirement last August 25. The 34-year-old center, 10th on the NHL all-time scoring list, caught very few by surprise with the news.

First, doctors confirmed an arthritic condition in his left hip would only get worse if he continued to play. And second, with the off-season acquisition of Chris Gratton, the Flyers had six players who can play center.

Hawerchuk was examined by arthritis experts at the University of St. Louis, who advised him to call it a career.

"I was working out this summer and saying to myself, 'I spent 16 years in this league and I'd sure like to walk away from it and not crawl away from it,' " Hawerchuk said.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Toronto native finished with 518 goals, 891 assists and 1,409 points. Hawerchuk, whose most productive seasons were as a Winnipeg Jet, is expected to gain entry into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in the year 2000.

He enjoyed six 100-point seasons during a fruitful career that included stops with Winnipeg, the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia.

"I was never on a team that won the big one, but I look at it as 16 terrific years," he said.

Hawerchuk was the first pick in the 1981 entry draft and in 1981-1982 became the first rookie to score 40 goals and 100 points. He won the Calder Trophy, given to the league's top rookie, that season.

Flyers-avalanche for '97-98 Stanley Cup

Yep, you heard it here first, folks! Contending for hockey's most coveted prize following the 1997-1998 regular season and first three playoff rounds will be the Philadelphia Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche. These are two very successful squads in recent years, as the Avalanche won the coveted Cup in 1996, while the Flyers lost to the champion Red Wings in last season's finals.

Division winners for 1997-1998 should be the Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Red Wings and the 'Lanche. Philadelphia is a goalie away from a potential dynasty; the Canadiens should surprise in a woeful Northeast; Detroit will not slack off despite finally winning; and Colorado might already be a dynasty.

Here then are one hockey expert's predictions for the current hockey campaign which faced off a few weeks ago. Teams are listed in order of predicted finish with Ukrainian players (in capital letters) who made opening day rosters and their potential contributions. The 1997-1998 NHL season preview edition:

Atlantic Division

Philadelphia - The Flyers are a big, talented team without a championship goaltender. If they get help in net, they'll be impossible production.

New Jersey - The Devils are the league's best defensive team and a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Their offense should be much better. DAVE ANDREYCHUK and Doug Gilmour need to have big years. KENNY DANEYKO is a bruiser, battler and leader on defense.

New York Rangers - With Mark Messier in Vancouver, WAYNE GRETZKY looked like he'd have to carry the offensive load along with defenseman Brian Leetch. But newly acquired Pat LaFontaine should chip in with some points. Great season from Adam Graves would help the cause.

Washington - New coach Ron Wilson will finally open this team up. Centers Adam Oates and Joey Juneau key offense with super scorer PETER BONDRA and gritty overachiever STEVE KONO-WALCHUK. Defense is solid; Ranford-Kolzig goalie tandem must complement each other. ANDREI NIKOLISHIN starts season on injured list.

Florida - Added much-needed offense in Dave Gagner and Esa Tikkanen. DAVID NEMIROVSKY earned regular job on third forward line. To contend, need Rob Niedermayer to have breakthrough campaign. Vanbiesbrouck just needs to be his stupendous self.

New York Islanders - Many reasons to like this team's upside. The defense is tough, young and mobile. The offense GM Milbury has put together will surprise many a goaltender. Ziggy Palffy could be a major star.

Tampa Bay - The loss of Chris Gratton is further evidence the Lightning need to resolve their ownership situation. It takes financial commitment to build a winner. This team continues to regress. Pity captain Scott Mellanby and Mikael Renberg - they're on their own.

Northeast Division

Montreal - More than enough talent to be an offensive force. Disciplined enough to be a decent defensive power. Will surprise the entire division. Saku Koivu could be a great one. Veteran netminder Andy Moog will stabilize the defense.

Pittsburgh - With Mario retired, the Penguins have the potential to become a better team. This Penguins team could be less exciting, but more defensive and thus more effective. EDDIE OLCZYK will capably assist Jaromir Jagr.

Ottawa - The Senators, with a collapse by one or two teams, can win the division. With all of those high draft picks they have as much pure talent as any other team. Daniel Alfredsson is back from holding out, and Wade Redden is a bonafide future Norris Trophy winner.

Buffalo - Team needs years of intensive therapy. Got their first division title since 1981 and ended up in tremendous turmoil. MVP goalie Dominik Hasek not well-loved by teammates or fans. ALEXEI ZHITNIK recently returned after contract squabble.

Boston - Bruins get another high draft pick to go with Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov. The young "B's" will be better under new coach Pat Burns. Don't expect miracles. Captain Ray Bourque still anchors the blueline. Look for DIMITRI KHRISTICH to score at least 80 points.

Carolina - The transplanted Hartford Whalers will not live up to their new name - the Hurricanes. They're still more of a tropical storm, not yet striking fear in anyone. Gary Roberts makes them better. STEVE HALKO started the season with the big club, until CURTIS LESCHYSHYN recovered from a pulled groin.

Central Division

Detroit - Odds of repeating as champs are very high, particularly after the Vladimir Konstantinov tragedy. However, coach Scotty Bowman repeated with Pittsburgh in the early '90s. Except for trading GT Mike Vernon, squad remains strong and intact. JOEY KOCUR got a contract for one more year.

St. Louis - With tsar Keenan gone, there is peace and happiness on the Blues' front. Watch out for super-scorer Brett Hull. Steve Duchesne aids the power play and Grant Fuhr mans the nets. Traded for capable ALEXANDER GODYNYUK to aid backline. Godynyuk still out with strained groin muscle.

Dallas - Andy Moog had stellar 2.15 GAA, yet Stars thought they needed to upgrade in goal. Signed free agent Ed Belfour to replace Moog. Mike Modano will be a superstar. RICHARD MATVI-CHUK a stallwart on defense along with Derian Hatcher. BRAD LUKOWICH made the roster, but did not play prior to being sent down to the IHL.

Phoenix - Should have done a bit better last year. Look for greater contributions from Jeremy Roenick. KEITH TKACHUK, game's best power forward, back from brief suspension, but not yet back on track. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin underrated. Defenseman OLEG TVERDOVSKY remains an unsigned free agent. Rumor is he will be traded. Back-up DARCY WAKALUK still recovering from major knee surgery.

Chicago - In a country of 280 million people, why can't the Blackhawks find any centers? Defense and goaltending solid. Tony Amonte and Alexei Zhamnov only proven scorers. Chris Chelios leads the team.

Toronto - Putting Ken Dryden in charge of the Leafs is akin to putting Bob Dole in charge of Democratic Party. Fans will forgive the past if the new president-GM can make this awful team competitive. Winger Sergei Berezin and goaltender Felix "The Cat" Potvin are name players.

Pacific Division

Colorado - In terms of overall talent, this is the NHL's best. Plenty of offense (Sakic, Forsberg and Deadmarsh), strong defense and a superb goaltender in Patrick Roy. Detroit beating them last playoffs provided more momentum than finding any Avalanche weakness. WADE BELAK made the team coming out of training camp.

Edmonton - Not the 1980s Oilers dynasty, but these young pests can contend. Only question mark is if defense is strong enough to compete with top teams. Jason Arnott, Doug Weight and Ryan Smith are three up-and-coming snipers. DRAKE BEREHOWSKY successfully returns to the NHL rigors after battling injuries and several years in the minors.

Vancouver - Roster suddenly more impressive with Mark Messier added to the mix. The hope is Messier can coax or bully Pavel Bure and Alex Mogilny into being Pavel Bure and Alex Mogilny again. Good luck! Trevor Linden great second-line center and "Old Man River" DAVE BABYCH re-upped for two more seasons.

Anaheim - Beyond Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and Guy Hebert, can you name anyone on the Ducks? Not enough depth yet on this squad to compete for anything come next April. Oh, and, better get Kariya re-signed and soon!

Los Angeles - Somewhat improved offense will not cover up the fact this franchise has bottomed out. Bringing back Luc Robitaille is fan pleasing, but this team needs a dynamic star to re-energize the Kings' organization.

San Jose - KELLY HRUDEY now backs up Mike Vernon, he of the Cup champion Wings. Vernon won't much matter. This team has been idling in neutral far too long, and there just isn't enough talent. Visiting clubs continue to sing that classic favorite: "Do You Know the Way Through San Jose?"

Calgary - Looking to improve their offense, the Flames traded for play-making center Andrew Cassels. That's like trying to plug a three-foot hole with chewing gum. No 30-goal scorer last season, and captain Theo Fleury looked ordinary. He must rebound. Third-line checker TODD HLUSHKO on injured reserve with a bad inner ear disorder.

Ukrainian transactions

Buffalo - Sergei Klimentiev, D, assigned to Rochester (AHL).
Calgary - Greg Pankiewicz, RW, assigned to St. John (AHL); Daniel Tkaczuk, C, returned to Barrie (OHL); Todd Hlushko, C, inner ear infection, out indefinitely.
Carolina - Trevor Wasyluk, LW, assigned to New Haven (AHL); Curtis Leschyshyn, D, strained groin, out day-to-day.
Chicago - Chris Twerdun, D, returned to Moose Jaw (WHL); Ryan Huska, LW, assigned to Indianapolis (IHL).
Dallas - Tony Hrkac, C, assigned to Michigan (IHL); Brad Lukowich, D, assigned to Michigan.
Detroit - Paul Goleniak, LW, returned to Michigan Nationals (Junior A).
Edmonton - Drake Berehowsky, D, signed one-year contract.
Florida - Joey Tetarenko, D, returned to Portland (WHL).
Montreal - Steve Cheredaryk, D, assigned to Fredericton (AHL).
New Jersey - Peter Sidorkiewicz, GT, assigned to Albany (AHL).
N.Y. Isles - Yevgeny Namestnikov, D, assigned to Utah (IHL).
N.Y. Rangers - Lee Sorochan, D, assigned to Hartford (AHL); Wayne Gretzky, C, signed two-year contract.
Ottawa - Mike Maneluk, LW, assigned to Worcester (AHL); Steve Zoryk, LW, released.
Phoenix - Alex Andreyev, D, designated for assignment to minors; Keith Tkachuk, LW, reinstated by team; Darcy Wakaluk, GT, right knee surgery, out until April.
St. Louis - Jonathan Zukiwsky, LW, and Nick Naumenko, D, assigned to Worcester (AHL); Alexander Godynyuk, D, strained groin, out day-to-day.
Tampa Bay - Kyle Kos, D, returned to Red Deer (WHL).
Toronto - Mark Kolesar, RW, returned to St. John's (AHL).
Washington - Peter Bondra, RW, reinstated by team; Andrei Nikolishin, C, sore knee, out indefinitely.

Thanks to Philadelphia Flyers' beat writer Wayne Fish for quotes in Dale Hawerchuk story.

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