The NHL : Hockey Stars, Rock Stars Team Up

If Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders didn’t play hockey, he’d like to be a rock and roll star.

“All I watch on television is MTV (the 24-hour cable channel showing rock videos) and the news,” Bossy said. “I love to sing in the shower and in the car. My fantasy is to be a singer.”

Bossy got his chance to star in a rock video Tuesday. He was one of 40 National Hockey League All-Stars who were filmed singing along with a record that was recorded last week in Toronto by 53 Canadian rock stars to benefit Ethiopian relief.

The song, “Tears Are Not Enough,” will be released by CBS records later this month. Included in the project are rock stars Bryan Adams, Neil Young, Corey Hart and Joni Mitchell.

Record producer David Foster explained that the project was started after a group of British rock stars recorded “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” a record that has raised several million dollars for African famine relief.

Earlier this month, a group of American rock stars, led by producer Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson, also recored a song for Ethiopia.

Foster said he decided to include hockey players in the video because hockey is the top sport in Canada.

“I just wanted to try something different and take it one step further,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to top Lionel Ritchie, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.”

It’s believed to be the first time that hockey players have ever appeared in a video. Foster played the song for them on a giant tape recorder in the locker room to teach them the lyrics.

“Do we get royalties?” someone quipped. Foster said the players had to sign a release agreeing to do it for free.

Players from the Campbell and Wales Conferences gathered in front of a net at the Olympic Saddledome to record the video. A group of fans in the background swayed in time to the music. They had to do about six takes before they got it just right.

Most of the players said they were happy to participate in the project.

Said Paul Coffey of the Edmonton Oilers, who is a big fan of rock star Bruce Springsteen: “I watch a lot of Much Music (Canada’s version of MTV) and it should be fun to see myself on TV. Plus, it’s for a worthy cause and that’s what counts.”

Said Wayne Gretzky: “I’m not a singer. That’s the first and last time I’ll be in a video.”

Rookie Bill O’Dwyer of the Kings has a four-leaf clover tattoo on his right thigh.

“I had it done when I was in high school because I’m Irish,” O’Dwyer said. “I don’t think it’s that unusual. When I was at Boston College all the guys on the hockey team had tattoos.”

Note: O’Dwyer is the only King with a tattoo.

The organizers of the NHL All-Star game held a $250-a-plate dinner Monday night to honor the players. The dinner featured entertainment by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band. The dinner and show dragged on into the early morning hours Wednesday.

Quipped Larry Mann, a Los Angeles-based actor who was master of ceremonies: “I’ve been in TV series that didn’t last as long as that dinner.”

Right wing Anders Hedberg of the New York Rangers said he will retire after this season.

Hedberg, 33, said: “I made the decision to retire before the season. I still think I can play, but you have got to quit sometime.”

Goalie Tom Barrasso of the Buffalo Sabres is playing in his second All-Star game, but earlier this season it looked as if he might be finished after he was sent down to the minors.

“I knew I could still play,” he said. “I knew that I’d be back in the NHL. But I had no idea that I’d make the All-Star game.”

Barrasso was the leading vote-getter among goalies in the Wales Conference with 147 points.