Hockey Lost More Than Winnipeg

Winnipeg was always the NHL’s equivalent of Siberia, at least until the Ottawa Senators came along.

The city’s long, frigid winters and flat landscape made it the least-favorite stop of players, coaches and writers. Any trip with Winnipeg on the itinerary was a good one to pawn off on a colleague who didn’t know any better.

Why, then, was it so sad to be at the Winnipeg Arena on Monday to witness the beginning of the Jets’ final six weeks in town?

Because Winnipeg, in many ways, represents what hockey used to be and is no longer--slightly quaint, out of the mainstream, but with a quirky charm.

Because it’s the only arena in North America where reporters sit at desks, like those in a schoolroom, and face a huge portrait of Queen Elizabeth II suspended from the ceiling. Players came and went, the Jets made the playoffs or missed, but the Queen’s serene smile was constant and comforting.

Because the fans care enough to brave snowdrifts and icy winds that cut through scarves and sweaters. Almost 11,000 still come to every game because they played hockey or grew up watching it and they love it, not because the Jets have a mascot or teal uniforms. These fans are the living, breathing custodians of hockey, and their passion for the game is real.

Because Winnipeg, was a safe city to walk late at night, much like an American city of the 1950s.

Sadly, Winnipeg isn’t safe anymore. Drive-by shootings and gang violence, once unheard of, are frequent occurrences. The economy is stale and the quality of life has deteriorated. It was inevitable that the Jets would leave town, a cab driver said, because hockey has become a wealthy man’s game.

The Jets appeared headed to Minneapolis last spring but got a reprieve, thanks to a booster group called Spirit of Manitoba. They didn’t get a second chance. When financing for a new arena fell apart, they were sold to businessmen Richard Burke and Stephen Gluckstern, who will move them to Phoenix next season.

The weather will be better in Arizona, and there won’t be delays to de-ice the wings of the plane carrying you back to “civilization.” But when the NHL leaves Winnipeg, it will sever a link to its past and the best part of itself. Even the queen might shed a tear over that.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

New York Islander General Manager-Coach Mike Milbury, who acquired the rights to 1995 top draft pick Bryan Berard from Ottawa, has begun contract talks with Berard’s agent, Tom Laidlaw. Berard refused to sign with the Senators, but Laidlaw indicated Berard is amenable to playing in New York.

“You could say he’s very excited about having an opportunity to play with the Islanders,” Laidlaw said. “This is just a better situation for him, and we’ve made that determination not based on dollars and cents. I say that in a hockey sense, and without intending to slight Ottawa and what they’re doing.

“The problem was with Ottawa, with a new building going up and needing to put people in seats, the pressure was on the kids there to perform. That might not have been the best thing for a kid like Bryan, who is going to make mistakes and people will critique them.

“Not that that won’t happen in New York, but he won’t be under the same microscope because the Islanders have a lot of kids. . . . We’re going to make every effort to get this done.”

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

After making three major trades this season, Colorado Avalanche General Manager Pierre Lacroix said he doesn’t expect to make any more moves before the trading deadline March 20.

“You always want to improve, but I’m very comfortable with the team we have,” said Lacroix, who acquired winger Claude Lemieux from New Jersey in a three-way deal, goalie Patrick Roy from Montreal and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh from San Jose. “If anything comes up before the deadline that we cannot pass up, we will do it. But that’s not the goal. The goal is stability.”

The Avalanche hasn’t been as dominant as was predicted when Roy came aboard but Lacroix said he’s not worried.

“You don’t trade 50% of your team and expect it to jell within two weeks,” he said. “I see it coming. I see more emotion with the more time the team has together. I see a partnership.

“If I complain, I’m not honest. You want to win each and every game but you must be realistic. We had a vision since June, 1994, for this team. It’s not something we did over the last month.”

TRADE RUMORS

The Vancouver Canucks, who want a physical defenseman, reportedly offered the Washington Capitals left wing Roman Oksiuta for Mark Tinordi, a proposal that was absurdly lopsided in the Canucks’ favor.

Oksiuta, who has 16 goals and 38 points, is a decent player, but he has been sulking since the Canucks replaced him with Esa Tikkanen on the left of Cliff Ronning and Alexander Mogilny.

Plan B for the Canucks might be Dallas’ Kevin Hatcher, who has clashed with General Manager Bob Gainey and is available.

AROUND THE WORLD CUP

St. Louis Coach-General Manager Mike Keenan has applied for American citizenship, which could pave the way for him to be appointed coach of Team USA in this summer’s World Cup tournament. Duck Coach Ron Wilson seemed to have a lock on the job, but USA Hockey officials have said they want to keep their options open. Keenan, who coached Canada to Canada Cup victories in 1987 and 1991, is a viable and attention-getting option.

“He’s not getting citizenship for the express purpose of making himself a candidate,” a USA Hockey source said. “However, it would certainly make him more attractive. I don’t think anyone has been ruled out because of nationality.”

Edmonton General Manager Glen Sather, who will be general manager of Team Canada, will be assisted by Vancouver General Manager Pat Quinn and Dallas General Manager Bob Gainey.

After a threat of mutiny by prominent Russian players if Viktor Tikhonov were named coach of Team Russia, the Russian federation is expected to appoint Valeri Vasiliev.

SLAP SHOTS

When Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson scored his 20th goal Sunday, the New Jersey Devils were left as the only team without a 20-goal scorer. Steve Thomas leads them with 19. . . . The Montreal Canadiens got a tour of the new Molson Centre and will practice there this week so they can get accustomed to the ice and to the way pucks carom off the boards and glass. They move in next month.

Veteran linesman Swede Knox broke his ankle last week and will sit out the rest of the season. . . . The Winnipeg Jets may trade center Alexei Zhamnov before the trading deadline, and they could get quite a bit for him. . . . Detroit General Manager Scotty Bowman proclaimed he’s not trading any of his youngsters to get a tough defenseman, but he might deal a minor leaguer. . . . Pittsburgh winger Tomas Sandstrom is expected to sit out three more weeks after ankle surgery.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have seven goals in their last three games, four by Dave Gagner and three by Doug Gilmour. They are 3-13-13 since Jan. 11. “I really don’t know what it is,” Coach Pat Burns said. He’d better figure it out quickly. The Maple Leafs have slipped to sixth in the West. . . . Roy put up $3,000 for a party if his Avalanche teammates would help him beat his old Montreal teammates. When Canadien Coach Mario Tremblay heard that, he put up $5,000 for a party if his players beat Roy. Colorado won, but the party is on hold.

New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens hasn’t shied away from contact since suffering a broken cheekbone and nerve damage Feb. 11. He was told to wear a face shield for protection. “It’s not that big a deal,” he said. “I’m not in any danger. I owe it to the team to play in these games. We can’t afford less than my total effort at this time of the season.” . . . When New York Ranger goalie Mike Richter re-injured a groin muscle last week, rumors began that the Rangers might look for a veteran, such as the Kings’ Kelly Hrudey or Dallas’ Andy Moog, as insurance. However, the new injury isn’t bad and Richter is expected back in less than two weeks.