UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE
by Ihor Stelmach
Konowalchuk deal reaping rewards
Best NHL trade of the year? Colorado's acquisition of Steve Konowalchuk must rank pretty high up there.
The former Capitals captain and mainstay was just what the doctor prescribed and what the Avs needed. He was just what they thought they'd get - but didn't - from Bates Battaglia, whom they traded for Konowalchuk.
"He's been just great for us," said captain Joe Sakic of Konowalchuk. "He came right in and started contributing for us."
Konowalchuk scored eight goals in his first 14 games with the Avs, including three two-goal games. Another huge plus was the addition of his veteran leadership to the dressing room.
"It's been great being here," Konowalchuk said. "It's a great team and I'm just trying to chip in."
Chip in he did to the tune of 19 goals and 21 assists for a total of 40 very much appreciated points from a third-line checker. Seventy minutes in penalties proved his grittiness is still alive.
The Avalanche were further thrilled some of the defensive consciousness that makes Konowalchuk a valuable player rubbed off on their more high-profile assets. The Avs acquired Konowalchuk and a third-round selection in this year's entry draft from Washington, in exchange for Battaglia and prospect winger Jonas Johansson, who was Colorado's first-round pick in 2002.
A 12-year veteran of the NHL wars, Konowalchuk was happy to make the move to Denver.
"I consider it an honor to have a team with one goal in mind, to win the Stanley Cup, to want me," Konowalchuk said.
Battaglia was a big disappointment, scoring only one goal for the Avs following his acquisition at the 2003 trade deadline from Carolina. His last game for the Avs, in which he was a minus-3, was spent on the fourth line.
As part of coach Tony Granato's line shuffling throughout the 2003-2004 campaign in a search for the right combinations on offense, Konowalchuk actually earned some time on both the top two forward lines. Some unexpected goal scoring prowess will get you promoted to more minutes and more talented linemates every time.
Ukrainian pucks and bucks
Meet two top Ukrainian prospects:
Anton Babchuk, D, Norfolk (AHL) Chicago Blackhawks' first-round pick in 2002 nearly made the club out of training camp this past season, but the decision to send him to Norfolk paid off. Babchuk, still learning what playing defense in the NHL is all about from Norfolk coach Trent Yawney, was selected to play in the American Hockey League All-Star Game.
Babchuk has a big-time shot, which he needs to make more accurate. He has great size (6-foot-5, 202 pounds) and a nasty streak. The Blackhawks see him as a top-two blueliner a few seasons down the road.
Acquired: 2002 entry draft, 21st overall.
Johnny Boychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL), a rugged blueliner had an excellent training camp with the Colorado Avalanche and continued his progress with a solid season for the Warriors.
Traded by the Calgary Hitmen last year, Boychuk was allowed to play more of a feisty game for Moose Jaw - more his natural style. If and when he advances to the NHL level, his trademark will be a meat-and-potatoes style emphasizing physical play.
Acquired: 2002 entry draft, 61st overall.
Age and pain can't stop Andreychuk
Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk said this season has been one of his "tougher years" in terms of aches and pains.
"I wouldn't say it's anything serious," Andreychuk said. "It's just a combination of one thing after another and that's what makes a difference. I don't feel 100 percent every game and it's tough at times."
Still, Andreychuk, 40 years young and in his 22nd season, played in all of Tampa Bay's 82 games, averaging 17 minutes of ice time with 21 goals and 39 points. He also ranked 10th in the league, winning 57 percent of his faceoffs.
Andreychuk said he will decide on retirement during the off-season.
"I guess when you're younger you feel like you can bounce back a little quicker," he said. "I've struggled with it, but I still enjoy the game and I'm having fun."
Memories of 1972
Summit Series
Lightning left-winger Andreychuk said he remembers the students from his elementary school in Hamilton, Ontario, being led into the gymnasium, where a television was set up to show the series' final game from the Soviet Union.
"Time stopped in Canada," he said of the tournament. Andreychuk said he doesn't remember too much about the series except the elation he felt when Canada triumphed.
"It was a fun time for everybody," Andreychuk said. "We had watched hockey before, but not that kind of hockey. Obviously, we thought we were superior. We didn't even know these guys. There were names we didn't recognize."
And when Canada finally triumphed?
"It was like the world championship for us," Andreychuk said.
Eye on Europe
Future and former Ukrainian NHLers performed in Europe this season. Here are eight such players with position, age and NHL rights.
(Thanks to beat writers Adrian Dater, Damian Cristodero and The Hockey News for quotations in above.)
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 20, 2004, No. 25, Vol. LXXII
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