Hockey News

One of the best moments Brett Hull ever experienced in a U.S. hockey uniform came when he was booed mercilessly by an arena full of Canadians.

It was 1996 and Hull was the star of the American team at the World Cup of Hockey. During the semifinals against Russia, a soldout crowd in Ottawa turned on Hull, chanting: “Traitor!” and “Brett Hull sucks!”

Ten years had passed since the native of Belleville, Ont., made the decision to play internationally for his adopted country and Brett Hull finally felt that USA Hockey had arrived.

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UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

It didn’t come from a reporter and it wasn’t posed by general manager Garth Snow. No, the insightful inquiry was made by wife Jennifer - a ballet instructor.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

He didn’t tap dance around the question then and he didn’t Wednesday when the reigning AHL coach of the year was asked again as he took the responsibility of leading the struggling Islanders’ youth movement.

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UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

It didn’t come from a reporter and it wasn’t posed by general manager Garth Snow. No, the insightful inquiry was made by wife Jennifer - a ballet instructor.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

He didn’t tap dance around the question then and he didn’t Wednesday when the reigning AHL coach of the year was asked again as he took the responsibility of leading the struggling Islanders’ youth movement.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. - Right wing Ryane Clowe agreed to a US$1.6 million, one-year contract to stay with the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Clowe was a restricted free agent after scoring eight points in 15 games last season. He missed 67 games after undergoing surgery on his right knee, but returned with four games left in the regular season before scoring nine points in 13 playoff games.

He made his NHL breakthrough in 2006-07, scoring 34 points and racking up 78 penalty minutes in 58 games with the Sharks.

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MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens signed minor-league defenceman Chad Anderson to a one-year contract, the club announced Wednesday.

Anderson, a 26-year-old free agent, signed a two-way contract and will likely play for the Hamilton Bulldogs next season. The six-foot-four, 217-pound blue-liner played for the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms last season, where he had two goals and 11 assists and was plus-11.

The Canadiens have been restocking their top farm club with veterans.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -Right wing Ryane Clowe agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million contract to stay with the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Clowe was a restricted free agent after scoring eight points in 15 games last season. He missed 67 games after undergoing surgery on his right knee, but returned with four games left in the regular season before scoring nine points in 13 playoff games.

He made his NHL breakthrough in 2006-07, scoring 34 points and racking up 78 penalty minutes in 58 games with the Sharks.

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EDMONTON - Under new owner Daryl Katz, the Edmonton Oilers believe depth in the team’s executive offices will help lead to on-ice success, a theory that led to Steve Tambellini’s hiring as general manager Thursday.

The move comes as part of larger shakeup in which Kevin Lowe was promoted from GM to president of hockey operations while Kevin Prendergast, the team’s longtime vice-president of hockey operations, was named assistant general manager.

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DETROIT (AP) -The Detroit Red Wings made a subtle move Wednesday that could prove to be a spectacular one if Valtteri Filppula lives up to his potential.

Filppula signed a $15 million, five-year contract with the Red Wings that keeps a talented forward on the roster for a while.

“We love everything about him because he’s a complete player with great character, and we think he can get even better,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland told The Associated Press. “He plays hard, he plays hurt. He’s got great speed and talent along with versatility because he can play left wing or center.

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EDMONTON - New Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz believes depth in the team’s executive offices will lead to on-ice success, a theory that led to Steve Tambellini’s hiring as general manager Thursday.

The move comes as part of larger shakeup in which Kevin Lowe was promoted from GM to president of hockey operations while Kevin Prendergast, the team’s longtime vice-president of hockey operations, was named assistant general manager.

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Movements in the world of hockey Thursday:

National Hockey League

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Named Scotty Bowman senior advisor of hockey operations.

EDMONTON OILERS-Promoted general manager Kevin Lowe to president of hockey operations. Named Steve Tambellini general manager. Named vice president of hockey operations Kevin Prendergast assistant general manager.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS-Signed C Jarred Smithson to a two-year contract.

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