NUMBERS GAME

Not only are NHL players coming from more diverse backgrounds than ever before, they’re bigger, heavier and older than ever.

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Season Avg Ht Avg Wt Avg Age 1972-73 5-11 184.5 26.4 1980-81 6-0 188.2 25.6 1988-89 6-0 193 25.8 1994-95 6-1 196.4 27.4 1995-96 6-1 196.2 27.0 1996-97 6-1 198.1 26.9 1997-98 6-1 200.2 27.0 1998-99 6-1 201.1 27.3

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SIZING THEM UP

* Tallest teams this season: Kings, Philadelphia, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Vancouver (6 feet 2).

* Heaviest team: Kings (208.6 pounds).

* Oldest team: Washington (29.3 years old).

* Shortest teams: Boston, Detroit, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Washington (6-0).

* Lightest team: Boston (194.9 pounds).

* Youngest team: Ottawa (26.0 years old).

* Tallest player: Steve McKenna, Kings (6-8).

* Shortest player: Theo Fleury, Calgary (5-6).

* Heaviest player: McKenna (247 pounds).

* Lightest players: Daniel Briere, Phoenix; Steve Sullivan, Toronto (160 pounds).

Source: NHL