Month: May 2008

PITTSBURGH – The player arguably most responsible for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ surge into the Stanley Cup final isn’t difficult to find. There he is, right in the middle of the crease .

MONTREAL – A significant part of Canadian and Montreal hockey history was recognized Thursday as historic plaques honouring James George Aylwin Creighton and the historic Victoria Skating Rink were unveiled at the Bell Centre.

NEWARK, N.J. – Defencemen Mike Mottau and Sheldon Brookbank re-signed with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.Contract terms were not disclosed.

DETROIT – Johan Franzen is nearly back for the Detroit Red Wings.He is expected to miss Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night, but Detroit coach Mike Babcock says he will return at some point in the series.

It will be skill versus skill in this year’s Stanley Cup final.The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings meet in an NHL championship series that oozes talent.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals signed defenceman Karl Alzner to a three-year entry-level contract on Thursday.Alzner was the Capitals’ first-round choice, fifth overall, in last year’s NHL entry draft.

DALLAS – The Dallas Stars are taking the interim tag off co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson.The NHL team said Thursday that Hull and Jackson have signed contracts to remain in their positions through the 2010-11 season.

DENVER – Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere didn’t have to look far to find a new coach: Tony Granato was already aboard as an assistant and had been the head coach once before.

DENVER – Tony Granato returned as coach of the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, four years after he was demoted from the job.Granato will take over from Joel Quenneville, who parted ways with the Avalanche two weeks ago by mutual agreement.

VANCOUVER – Head coach Alain Vigneault is staying in Vancouver.The Canucks said he has agreed to terms on an extension that keeps him under contract through the 2009-10 season.

Results Wednesday:2008 Memorial Cup Canadian Major Junior ChampionshipAt Kitchener, Ont.Round RobinBelleville 4 Kitchener 3 (OT)AHLCalder Cup PlayoffsConference Finals (Best-of-7)Eastern Conference Portland 2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1(Portland leads series 3-2)Western Conference Toronto 6 Chicago 1(Chicago leads series 3-1)ECHLKelly Cup Playoffs No Games Scheduled.

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Announced an affiliation agreement with Bakersfield (ECHL).CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Agreed to terms with F Adam Burish, D Dustin Byfuglien and D James Wisniewski.

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks fired assistant coaches Barry Smith and Mike Kelly on Wednesday.The coaches were informed of the decision by head coach Alain Vigneault.

TORONTO – Justin Pogge’s first career start in the American Hockey League playoffs came just in time for the Toronto Marlies.Pogge was sharp in making 30 saves and Colin Murphy scored two goals and added an assist to lift the Marlies to a 6-1 win over the visiting Chicago Wolves in Game 4 of the AHL Western Conference final Wednesday.

MONTREAL – James George Aylwin Creighton lies in an unmarked grave in an Ottawa cemetery but the “father” of organized ice hockey will get his due Thursday with a tribute from the prime minister and Canada’s most storied team.

The Pittsburgh Penguins quickly sold out next week’s two home games for the Stanley Cup final.That will give them 66 sellouts in a row. How fitting indeed.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jeremy Roenick agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday to return to the San Jose Sharks after his revitalizing comeback season with the club.

The Sharks will welcome Jeremy Roenick back to the fold for another season.

"I’m so happy to say that I will be back for another year," Roenick said on the team’s website.

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueBOSTON BRUINS-Re-signed D Aaron Ward to a multiyear contract extension.FLORIDA PANTHERS-Agreed to terms with RW Brady Calla.

TORONTO – The Toronto Marlies are down to their last life.The Marlies were defeated 4-1 by the Chicago Wolves in Game 3 of the Western Conference final series.