Have a Great Summer!

I will be recharging my batteries for the next season. See you then!

"Molin Pass" at Brynäs IF

Check out the eighth and final part of the off-ice spring training contest between the young and the veteran Brynäs IF players, the so-called "Molin Pass". Can the young really come back and pinch a victory in the relay? (See the video below and you can see the other parts of the contest as the related videos appear at the end of the clip.)

Ove Molin, 38, from Huddinge, Sweden played for me at AIK B-Juniors in 1986-87 in Stockholm. A strong-skating forward that has developed from a purely offensive and high-scoring player, to a more defensive minded role player. Thanks to his skating ability and hockey sense, Molin is quite successful as a penalty killer.

Since Molin returned in 1997 from a brief stint with Helsinki IFK, he has played at Brynäs for 21 seasons. The forward has in recent years received has taken on much defensive responsibility. Molin has 2 SM-Golds with Brynäs IF, and has played most matches in Brynäs IF `s history.

GP G A TP PIM
Elitserien: 718 186 269 455 536
Division 1: 62 24 34 59 60
SM-Liiga: 40 5 9 14 40
World Championships: 10 0 0 0 6
U20 World Championships: 5 0 4 4 0
U18 World / Euro Championships: 6 6 5 11 2

- Elitserien Champion 92/93, 98/99
- Elitserien SM-silver Medal 94/95
- World Championship Bronze medal 98/99

6/8/2009: Molin Pass: Part 8

Djurgårdens Friday Workout

A hard training week is over and only the last tough exercises remained. Perhaps it was the weekend's arrival and the summer heat that got the players to focus on their beach muscles.

Djurgårdens IF Hockey is the ice hockey team of the Swedish club Djurgårdens IF, based in Stockholm. The club is the most successful team in Sweden, having won the Swedish Championships 16 times as well as producing many of Sweden's best players.

In addition to its 16 national championships, the team finished second eight times (1923, 1924, 1927, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1998) and were also European champions twice (1991 and 1992).

The department was formed in 1922 with the help of IK Göta player Wilhelm Arwe. During the first season, Djurgården's team consisted of only six players but was reinforced with five new players for the following season.

In 1934 the department was dissolved due to lack of players and resources. Instead, the bandy department was prioritized and given the hockey department's resources.

Four former players won Olympic gold with the Sweden national team at Torino 2006. Most notable among them was Mats Sundin from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For the 2007-08 season, they changed their official home ice from the Stockholm Globe Arena to their smaller, former home arena, Hovet. Nevertheless, a significant minority of the games was scheduled for the larger arena, just like some games were played on Hovet during the Globe era.[1]

The most common nicknames for the team is "Järnkaminerna" (The Iron Stoves), "Stockholms stolthet" (The Pride of Stockholm) and "Mesta mästarna" (The Winners of Most Championships). Djurgården also has a supporters' club called Järnkaminerna, which it shares with the football department.

USA Finally Nails the Finns

Team USA behind 47 saves from Robert Esche earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Finland last night in the quarterfinals of the 73rd annual IIHF Men's World Championship in Berne, Switzelralnd. Esche was named the U.S. Player of the Game.

Team USA advanced to the semifinals where it will face Russia on Friday, May 8th 10:15 a.m. EDT. 

"We got unbelievable goaltending, especially in the first period when we needed it most," said Ron Wilson, head coach of Team USA. "We got stronger as the game wore on and I thought controlled most of the second half of the game."

The last time the Americans beat Finland at an IIHF event was at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, a slide of eight games (seven wins and a tie for Finland). During that time the teams have met in the quarterfinals in 2008, 2007, and 2004, the Finns winning each time.

6/6/2009: Bern, Switzerland, IIHF World Championship Hockey, Quarter Finals, USA vs Finland

Top Swedish Clubs Looking To Jump to KHL for 2010

Swedens top clubs are looking to jump from the Elitserien and play in the KHL in Russia in 2010-11. This kind of hockey news that can shake the foundational roots of top Swedish hockey. Swedish Elitserien Hockey League and is one of Sport Sweden's strongest concepts and brands. Since 1975, quality and audience interest developed ice hockey in Sweden and it has become one of the top leagues in the world.

HV71's Club Director Tommy Fritz: "We must protect our product"

SSK's Club Director Stefan Jonsson: "We want a strong national league"

At an investors meeting this week with the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), HV 71, Färjestad BK, Frölunda Indians, Djurgården IF and Linköping HC have given notice of termination of SHL's current shareholders' agreement. All this according to a press release signed by the chairmen of the seven other clubs Elitserien (Södertälje, Rogla, Modo, Brynäs, Luleå, Skellefteå and Timrå).  The other seven have agreed to continue SHL and Elitserien with twelve teams. Teams that leave will be replaced by five other teams from Allsvenskan. 

Södertälje to the group of clubs who have not chosen to opt out. 
- We want to be a club that develops in the Elitserien in its current form. We want to play in a strong national league, says SSK'S Club Director Stefan Jonsson on Radio Sport. 

A strong national league is one of the main foundations of that power develop international cooperation. SHL will develop new models for increased autonomy over their operations. But the ruling is that the national league is the platform for alliances and partnerships with other countries and leagues.

Games schedule and participating teams for the season 2009/2010 is fixed. The new situation means that any changes will from the 2010/2011 season. This will, in the usual manner to be handled by SHLs Board of Directors and executive management in conjunction with the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.

Ukraine's Sokil Kyiv is attempting to join, but financial issues have delayed a bid until at least the 2010-11 season. According to Russia Today News, Finland's Kärpät is also interested. German teams Eisbären Berlin and Kölner Haie have been approached by the KHL but are currently not considering joining the league. The KHL also wants to expand to Austria by affiliating EC Red Bull Salzburg. SKA Saint Petersburg General Manager Barry Smith said that an affiliation may be possible in three or four years. Red Bull and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, however, favours playing in the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

72% of Swedes polled are not in favor of a KHL jump. We shall see how this plays out over the next few months. What do you think?

About KHL

Kontinental Hockey League is the new International League, set up to ensure further successful development of hockey in Russia and other countries in Europe and Asia. The decision to establish the League was made in February 2008. March 27, 2008, as a result of negotiations and preparations, Hockey Federation of Russia (FHR) officially handed over all rights on conducting national championship to KHL. The League and the Federation signed a three-year contract. Under the terms of the contract the Russia Champion will be determined in the KHL Championship – the highest ranked Russian team will be proclaimed the Champion of Russia.

Four divisions of the League are named in honor of glorious players and coaches: Vsevolod Bobrov, Anatoli Tarasov, Valeri Kharlamov and Arkady Chernyshev. 24 clubs from Russia, Belarus, Latvia and Kazakhstan enter the first KHL Championship, which is to be held from September 2008 to April 2009. The League Trophy – Gagarin Cup – will be awarded to the best team of the League at the end of the final series.

KHL Championship tournament is divided into regular season and playoffs:
in regular season all teams play 56 games (four against opponents in their own division and two games against opponents from other divisions);
in playoff series the best 16 teams of the regular season are competing for Gagarin Cup. Division winners are to be seeded as four best teams regardless the points earned.

11/25/2008: KHL`s Top 10 Goals of the Week

Rangers Blow Another Win. After The Season.

Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford got hockey tips from New York Rangers legends Ron Duguay and Rod Gilbert on NBC's Today Show yesterday.

It is an odd spot in timing. The New York Rangers were eliminated the other night when Sergei Fedorov wired a wrist shot from the right-wing circle over the gloved hand of Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 remaining in the third period to snap a tense 1-1 tie and hand the Capitals a 2-1 victory that ended the Round 1 playoff series in Game 7.

If the New York Rangers and NHL are trying to promote the sport, this was a poor attempt.  The Rangers out of the playoffs, beach balls and goofy play on the set makes the game look weak. With a 5 million viewer audience was the same as the Rangers blowing Game 7 after a 3-1 in games lead. It was an easy empty net goal shot wide. Enjoy the beach.

4/30/2009: Gilbert and Duguay on the NBC's Today Show

Jonas Holøs's Late Back Breaker

Färjestad's defenseman Jonas Holøs, 21 from Sarpsborg, Norway, got the big game winner came at just 14 seconds remaining in the game to make it 1-0 against the home team Skellefteå. The final score was 2-0 with a empty net goal. Färjestad leads the Elitserien SM Quarter-Finals with game two home tomorrow at  the Löfbergs Lila Arena. 

"There were a lot of players who threw themselves and covered the shot so I was just trying to get the puck" - said Holøs

Skellefteå had a great opportunity to decide the match in the third period when they had a 5-on-3 powerplay. But the home team created nothing and powerplay was ineffective.

"The first two periods, we are not quite, but in the third I think we played better. We get a little desperate and created some more chances."said Skellefteå coach Hans Särkijärvi.

Jonas Holøs began his hockey career in the parent club IHK Sparta Sarpsborg in 2003-04, at the age of 16. His coaches quickly saw Holøs potential and it was not long until he was picked up by Sarpsborg J20-Team. It was in the J20 squad where Holøs got his breakthrough and quickly established himself as one of the league best. In the 2005-06 season 05/06 he was promoted to Sarpsborg A squad where he had 7 points in 26 games.He played all matches for Norway in the IIHF World Championship in 2008. He is the Colorado Avalanche's sixth selection (sixth round, 170th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Skellefteå-Färjestad 0-2 (0-0, 0-0, 0-2)
Third Period: 0-1 (19.46) Jonas Holös (Mikael Johansson), 0-2 (19.51) Anders Bastiansen (Rickard Wallin) ENG.
Shots: 25-42 (8-13, 4-20, 13-9).
Penalties: Skellefteå: 4x2. Färjestad: 7x2.Attendance: 6,012.


3/19/2009: Skellefteå-Färjestad 0-2

Frölunda's Riku Hahl Ends Luleå's Season

The match between Frölunda and Luleå began quite smoothly. However, it became a tight battle with few chances for both teams.In the first period there was only eight shots on goal, four for each team. Luleå played a much tougher game then they had done in the last three. 

In the previous matches there had been many powerplay goals, now the teams played very disciplined hockey with a man less on the ice. Even in the second period there were few chances and the goalkeeping continued to keep close. 

After an early goal by Frölunda's Riku Hahl in the third period Frölunda played it safe and held their 1-0 lead to closeout the game and win the series 4-1.

Frölunda-Luleå 1-0 (0-0, 0-0, 1-0)

Third period: 1-0 (1.39) Riku Hahl (Ronnie Sundin).
Shots: 20-14 (4-4, 9-4, 7-6).
Frölunda Penalties : 9x2, 1x10.
Luleå Penalties: 10x2, 1x10.
Attendence: 11,075


03/12/209: Frölunda-Luleå 1-0 (0-0, 0-0, 1-0)

Hlavac Sinks Rögle to the Kvalserien

A hat trick by the Czech left wing Jan Hlavac, 32, cut down Rögle BK . Linköping won by 6-3 and sent Rögle down to Kvalserien. 

"Unfortunately, we can focus on the Kvalserien" said Rögle's Mathias Tjärnqvist 

Rögle BK reduced it to 1-2 early in the second period and got the chance on the power play shortly thereafter. But instead, Jan Hlavac made it 3-1. Four minutes later Hlavac made it Linköping 5-1. Rögle BK who led the Elitserien in November this past fall, are now in danger of droping out of Sweden's top division

Hlavac has played in the NHL for the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators.

Rögle-Linköping 3-6 (0-2, 1-3, 2-1)
First Period: 0-1 (6.00) Eric Beaudoin (Fredrik Emvall, Tomas Surovy), 0-2 (8.29) Tomas Surovy (Teemu Aalto, Eric Beaudoin).
Second Period: 1-2 (1.40) Chris Abbott (Andrée Persson, Daniel Sondell) PPG, 1-3 (8.17) Jan Hlavac (Jaroslav Hlinka), 1-4 (11.18) Jaroslav Hlinka (Jan Hlavac, Mikael Håkanson), 1-5 (12.58) Jan Hlavac (Eric Beaudoin) PPG.
Third Period: 2-5 (5.21) Mathias Tjärnqvist (Daniel Johansson, Jakob Johansson), 3-5 (12.36) Chris Abbott (Mattias Sjögren, Mads Bödker), 3-6 (16.00) Jan Hlavac (Joakim Eriksson) SHG.

Shotts: 54-24 (9-11, 22-9, 23-4).
Penalties Rögle: 3x2.
Penalties Linköping: 7x2.
Referee: Patrik Sjöberg, Gävle.
Attendance: 4 712.

2/26/2009: Rögle BK - Linköping 3-6, Elitserien

Forsberg Opens the Way for MODO

Peter Forsberg put MODO Hockey up 1-0 with the opening goal in his comeback against Skellefteå AIK that ended with MODO Hockey winning 4-1.

Peter Forsberg is back at the hockey rink. He showed his superstar class at 15.21 of the first period with a goal - the NHL legend put the packed Swedbank Arena into a frenzy.

Forsberg picked up puck behind the goal, broke in front of Skellefteå goalkeeper Andreas Hadelöv and turned away a Skellefteå Back before he lifted the puck with a backhand under the crossbar, 1-0 to MODO.

The full stadium exploded so that the roof lifted a bit. The audience had reason to continue to cheer as their team's on the ice energy began to build.

The fact is that MODO outplayed Skellefteå which despite a 1-4 loss they got away easy. With Forsberg on the team, MODO has a new strength that the team did not have earlier in the winter.
---
MODO Hockey-Skellefteå AIK 4-1 (2-0, 1-0, 1-1)
First period: 1-0 (15.21) Peter Forsberg (Oscar Steen), 2-0 (17.53) Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (Niklas Sundström, Per-Åge Skröder) PPG.
Second period: 3-0 (16.22) Mattias Timander (Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, Niklas Sundström) PPG.
Third period: 4-0 (3.28) Per-Åge Skröder (Mats Zuccarello-Aasen) 4-1 (5.30) Anders Söderberg (Mathias Månsson) PPG.
Shots: 48-16 (18-2, 19-10, 11-4).
Penalties: Modo: 3x2. Skellefteå: 5x2.
Referee: Patrik Sjöberg, Gävle.
Attendance: 7,543.


2/12/2009 Peter Forsberg comeback goal.

Leksand Strengthens with Antti-Jussi Niemi

On Friday evening Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan team Leksand IF presented a strong new acquisitions before the final of the forthcoming Kvalserien. Leksand sits on the table ready to challenge for a spot in the Elitserien for 2009-10.

Finnish defenseman Antti-Jussi Niemi, 31, with seven IIHF World Championships and an Winter Olympics wroth of experience comes over from Lada Togliatti in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League. Niemi had previously played for Frölunda in Elitserien, where he had played 247 matches.He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, 81st overall.

Niemi, a defensive-minded player who plays with a mean streak, has won two SM-Liiga gold medals with Jokerit, the Elitserien championship with Frölunda HC in 2005. In the NHL, he registered 29 games with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He always gives everything for the team and likes to use his body. Niemi plays with a lot of passion and while his offensive game might not be the best in the world, he can join the rush and with his smarts put up some points as well.

HockeyAllsvenskan

Rk Team GP W T L GF:GA TP

1 Leksands IF 37 25 5 7 175 : 78 84
2 A I K IF 36 24 3 9 120 : 66 77
3 Växjö Lakers HC 37 19 6 12 130 : 100 67

-------------------------------------------------------
4 Mora IK 37 18 8 11 135 : 98 66
5 Almtuna IS 36 20 5 11 104 : 83 65
6 VIK Västerås HK 36 17 7 12 126 : 112 60
7 IF Björklöven 37 14 9 14 93 : 97 56

-------------------------------------------------------
8 IF Troja/Ljungby 36 17 3 16 114 : 132 55
9 Bofors IK 36 13 7 16 100 : 116 51
10 IF Malmö Redhawks 35 12 8 15 104 : 87 50
11 IF Sundsvall Hockey 36 13 7 16 88 : 123 50
12 IK Oskarshamn 37 15 2 20 105 : 131 47
13 Borås HC 37 11 9 17 96 : 117 46

-------------------------------------------------------
14 Nybro Vikings IF 36 6 14 16 91 : 125 38
15 Huddinge IK 37 8 8 21 96 : 147 35

-------------------------------------------------------
16 Mariestad BoIS HC 36 4 9 23 82 : 147 26

HV71 Lances Ward Again

HV71 has landed tough guy Lance Ward for the season 2009/2010. "Fun and positive to get back audience favorite to us again," said sports manager Fredrik Stillman.

Defenseman Lance Ward, 30 is from Lloydminster, Alberta is a Canada and was originally drafted 10th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, but he re-entered the draft and was selected 63rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. 

Most fans already know Lance Ward, who played two seasons in HV71 between 2006-2008. He left HV71 before this season and has played one season in the German Frankfurt Lions of the DEL. But next season is the tough hill back in the HV71-shirt again.

"Now we have started building for nextseason and it feels nice to be able to present to an audience favorite Lance Ward as our first new recruit. Everyone knows what he goes for and it is a great profile that is loved by the fans, " said sports manager Fredrik Stillman and continues: "For various reasons, he was not with us after last season, but it is fun and positive to get Lance in the team again. I am sure we will get great benefit from his attitude and tough. It is an important role-playing. "

Ward accounted for 17 points on his 132 Elitserien matches (regular season and finals) and spent 598 minutes in penalty box. In Frankfurt, he has 3 points in 27 matches and has 58 penalty minutes. 

On his track list is the SM Gold with HV71 from last year. Lance has also played 209 NHL games (2000-2004) and has 16 NHL points. He has 247 AHL games on his account with 56 points. 


2006-2008: Lance Ward at Eliteserien's HV71

Mikael Backlund: Flame on in Calgary

When his Swedish Junior World Championships teammates returned home to Sweden, Mikael Backlund, 19, chose to go to Calgary to begin his NHL run. Backlund, a 6' 205 lb., center, is coming off a silver medal at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Canada as a member of team Sweden. He will leave VIK Västerås in the Swedish Allsvenskan where his team is in 6th place.

Backlund finished tied for 2nd on the team with seven points (5 goals and 2 assists), and tied for 7th overall in tournament scoring with five goals in six games and was named as one of Sweden’s Top Three players in the Tournament.

Backlund's Calgary Flames beat the New York Islanders to 5-2 last night and coach Mike Keenan was pleased with his debut: "He is an intelligent individual, with a good feeling for hockey."

"Sure, I was nervous, but after a while, it was over. It was fun to play, " said 19-year-old to the Calgary Herald after his debut, which contained 10-minute ice time.

Calgary's 1st round choice, 24th overall, in 2007, Backlund has above average skating ability, is strong physically and somewhat aggressive. He is also equipped with good hands and hockey sense. His technical skills along with his passes and goal scoring/release ability make him an intriguing prospect. He could, however, work on his defensive game and consistency.


12/31/2008 Sweden 5 - Russia 0, IIHF World Junior Championships, Ottawa, Canada

Victor Hedman Elitserien Rookie Making Headway

Victor Hedman, 17, is MODO Hockey's talented young defenseman. Despite his youth Hedman is huge force in the defensive game.

Hedman entered the Elitserien with a vengeance last season. He was brilliant for MODO, a giant with Sweden's World Junior team and before the season was over, he debuted with Tre Kronor the Swedish National Team, as the youngest ever to do so.

Despite his age Victor Hedman is in thee top three in Elitserien in the important plus/minus standings.

Rank Player Team POS GP G A PIM +/- TOI/GP TP
1 Mattias Timander MODO RD 31 6 10 48 18 24:51 16
2 Niklas Sundström MODO CE 25 12 17 28 17 19:20 29
3 Victor Hedman MODO LD 24 3 6 30 16 21:09 9

In his second season in Elitserien Hedman has grown substantially. "It has to do with the confidence you get," said Victor himself. "I have received much ice time (21:09 average per game) and I also play on both the power play and penalty killing lines."

MODO Hockey's Finnish coach Harri Rindell also pours praise over Hedman. "He is incredibly mature and it is difficult to comprehend that he turns just 18, in December this year, "he said.


Victor Hedman

Tom Wandell to Help the Injury Plagued Dallas Stars

Timrå IK will lose their successful forward Tom Wandell to the Dallas Stars. Wandell was on loan from the Stars, he has become a flash, here today, gone tomorrow. Dallas is now on the injury hit list and also has to deal with the suspension of  Sean Avery and need reinforcements.

"First of all, fun. But it is sad to leave Timrå" - said Wandell to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. 

Wandell who has had a neat start in Timrå where he leads the team in  points and is number 11 in the Elitserien in scoring.

GP G A TP +/- PIM SOG FO% TOI/GP
Elitserien 08/09 27 11 13 24 9 (21:12) 16 69 50.60% (254:248) 20:28

"We will see how it goes in Dallas. If I'm sent back to Timrå, it is all right. I would not be upset" - said Wandell.

Wandell will play tonight against HV71 in his last game before going to Dallas. You can hear the game live on Swedish Radio (in Swedish only) at 1:00 P.M. EST.

Read up on some more blogs on Tom Wandell.


9/3/2008 Magnus Svensson-Pääjärvi sets up Tom Wandell behind his back against MODO Hockey.

NHL Goaltenders Losing Some Size and Weight

"We came to the conclusion that we should move forward with some subtle changes for the 2008-09 season. There will be more changes next year with more proportional fittings for protection only. We have to get back to the beginning of what equipment was for in the first place"
-- NHL goaltending supervisor,
Kay Whitmore

You can take a look at what your own goaltender pads would look like at TPS Hockey's Pad Customizer by adding your own color graphics and design.

Here are the current rule changes of NHL Hockey Operations officials, based on input from the goaltenders' committee.

2008-09 Goaltender Equipment Changes:

All inner-knee pads to be a maximum of 2.5 inches thick, this will include all inner-knee padding on the pad and will be measured when non-compressed. Knee strap pads and build -ups must have a 1-inch radius (rounded) on the top edge. Knee straps must wrap around the knee build-ups and cannot come out behind or through knee build-ups. The size of the knee strap pad will remain 6 inches in length by 5.5 inches in width and the build-ups or inner-knee risers will stay at 7 inches in length by 5.5 inches in width.

Leg pads can only be 10.5 inches deep. The measurement will be taken from the front face of the pad to the last edge of the calf/inner-knee protection.

Calf-wing protectors can no longer be attached to the 5-hole or 5-hole seam. Calf-wings must be inset a half-inch from the inside 5-hole, creating a distinctive edge, and attached to the back cover. Calf-wing protectors must be one piece and not multiple layers and cannot include wedges (removable or non-removable). Calf-wing protectors may be flat for 5½ inches before contouring to the shape of the leg. Calf-wing protectors must contour and cannot be visible to the shooter when strapped to the goaltenders leg. Calf-wing protectors may not exceed one inch in thickness. Calf-wing protector straps must run through or wrap around so it follows the contour of the goaltender's leg and in no way moves independently of the rest of the pad. No zippers, Velcro, or Velcro attachments of any kind are allowed.

Note on additional knee protection: NHL Hockey Operations has the discretion to determine on a case-by-case basis what a reasonable amount of additional knee padding is, taking into account knee braces for instance, but generally knee padding must not exceed a contoured 10 inches, with no flat surfaces, and must not be "permanently" attached or fixed to the pants.

Regarding immediate changes to pants, NHL Hockey Operations has the discretion to determine what a reasonable pant size is for each goaltender and to determine if the goaltender is wearing the pants in an acceptable fashion. Goaltenders will not be allowed to wear large pants just to be bigger. All inner belts will be removed. Styrofoam hip blocks found in Velcro pockets may not exceed 0.5 inches.

There are a number of changes regarding chest and arm protectors. One action is to round off all straight edges. The clavicle protector/shoulder floater must have a flexible seam (sew lines) and follow the contour/slope without becoming a projection or extension beyond the normal shape of the shoulder and must be fastened down at the back by a fixed strap that cannot be adjusted. Spinal adjustment will be allowed. The clavicle protector/shoulder floater must be contoured to the shape of the torso and away from the armpit. Rib protection is allowed as long as it wraps the body and is not used to provide additional blocking area. The clavicle/shoulder floater must be fastened tight enough to not allow it to move freely.

The chest and arm pads should be flat in the front and should wrap around the shoulder tightly. All 7-inch elbow hinges will be fixed and rounded on the outsides where attached. Bicep floater edges should be skived to blend into the arm protection.

Hockey Operations has the discretion to determine what size arm and body is reasonable for each goaltender and if he is wearing it in a manner consistent with protection versus blocking area.

An immediate change for the goalie's blocker is the contour of the thumb protector of the blocker will be held to a stricter standard. The blocker must not be more than 7-inches deep. The measurement will be taken from the face of the blocker to the end of the thumb protector.

Former NHL goaltender and current Hockey Ops guru Kay Whitmore talks about specifications for goalie equipment.


Goalie Equipment 2008-09

Mats André Zuccarello Aasen: MODO Hockey's New Blood

Norwegian born Mats André Zuccarello Aasen is currently playing for MODO Hockey in the Swedish Eliteserien. His team is currently in third place in the Elitserien. He and his teammates ex-NHL'er Niklas Sundström and fellow Norwegian Per-Åge Skrøder rule the top of the league's scoring table in 1-2-3 order.

	Player	Team	POS	GP	G	A	PIM	+/-	TOI/GP	TP
1	Niklas Sundström	MODO	CE	20	9	16	24	15	1137	25
2	Per-Åge Skrøder	MODO	RW	21	13	11	48	8	1169	24
3	Mats Zuccarello Aasen	MODO	LW	21	9	15	30	7	1097	24

Last season Zuccarello Aasen had 24 goals and 40 assists, for 64 points in 34 games in the Norwegian GET-ligaen for the IF Frisk Asker Tigers. He had been with the club for four years before going to MODO Hockey. He has played in four IIHF Junior World Championships (two J20, two J18) for Norway. He represented Norway at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Canada.

Zuccarello Aasen is a great technician, with a very fine finish. A real magic man who can do spectacular things with the puck and has great comprehension of the game. His weaknesses is the defensive and the physical.


More Zuccarello of MODO Hockey

You Gotta Love Mike Modano

Dallas Stars' Center Mike Modano, 38, is rock solid now in his 20th NHL season. He already has 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points this season. The American has been a staple with the Stars ever since he started playing for the Minnesota North Stars as a rookie in the 1989-90 season. 

• Dallas Stars' franchise leader in games, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals, power play goals and shorthanded goals.
• He is the USA-born scoring leader with  1,293rd career NHL points to date.
  
• #1 Pick Overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft Pick
  
• NHL Stanley Cup Champion 1999
  
• 3 Time Team USA Olympian
  
• 6 Time NHL All-Star

Modano is still after all these years a valuable asset to the Stars. Why do his teammates need him? His super combination of speed, skill and size (6'3", 210 lbs.) makes him very hard to contain. He knows how to find the back of the net and also possesses outstanding defensive skills.

Take look at this great passing on the power play by the Stars against the Isles and see the Modano pass to Mike Ribiero for a beauty. It is this type of on-ice vision that will keep Modano shinning.

Dallas Stars 5 @ New York Islanders 3 (DAL) Mike Ribeiro (PPG, 01:33 in 2nd)  Assists: Mike Modano & Brenden Morrow

Janne Grönvall: 700th SM-Liiga Game

Tappara defender Janne Grönvall played his 700 Finnish SM-Liiga career game ealier this week. He is only the eleventh player who has reached this milestone. The 35-year-olds SM-Liiga's numbers are 61 goals and 136 assists, for 197 points and 840 penalty minutes.

He is at Tappara for the third time in his career. He first joined them in 1992, when he left Lukko Rauma after Grönvall was SM-Liiga Rookie of the Year in 1990-91. In 1994 he left them for AHL club St. John's Maple Leafs, who was the farm team of Toronto Maple Leafs who drafted Grönvall in round 5 #101 overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

After two season in North America and zero games in the NHL Grönvall moved back home to Finland and Tappara. This time he stayed with Tappara until 2003 when he signed with Swedish Elite League team Färjestads BK. After two seasons and two runners-up medals in Sweden with Färjestad Grönvall decided once again moved back home and once again signed with Tappara.

A strong defensive defenseman that can join the rush as well. Grönvall has great size a great reach and doesn't mind playing physical as you can see on the clip below. He has brought a lot of experience to the team, both from the Finnish SM-Liiga as well as from the American Hockey League. Tappara is currently in 6th place in the SM-Liiga.

1994 SM-Liiga Playoffs: Tappara's Janne Grönvall levels Ässät's Arto Javanaista

Kristoffer Berglund First Elitserien Goal Helps Beat SSK

Luleå's 20-year-old Kristoffer Berglund, the St. Louis Blues 5th round and 125th overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft pick, scored his first Elitserien goal last night. The Luleå win moved the team out of the 12 team Elitserien cellar and above Södertälje by just one point.

Berglund is from Umeå, Sweden where he was produced by IF Björklöven and played the last two seasons with their Allsvenskan team. He is a member of Swedens Junior National Team as well.

Berglund's two most noticeable assets are his hockey sense and skating ability. He is an extremely smart player that makes smart decisions and usually delivers excellent passes. When it comes to his mobility, he has good overall speed and also accelerates well. Although perhaps a bit more noticeable in the offensive zone, Berglund definitely contributes both ways and is smart and rather solid in his own end.

He is of smallish stature and does not play overly physical, but compensates this by solving tricky situations with his on-ice-vision and puck handling skills. To take his game to the next level, the already all-round defenseman needs to add more strength.

Södertälje SK 6 @ Luleå HF 2