As the NHL Board of Governors meetings adjourned in
Scottsdale, AZ, one of the issues discussed was players
safety as the league will examine why more of its players
are suffering long-term injuries, according to Doug Smith of
the CANADIAN PRESS. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the
biggest "culprit" is uncertified helmets, which are worn by
20% of players. Bettman: "If someone gets an injury, gets a
concussion, we want to know exactly what helmet they were
wearing, what model, who the manufacturer is ... This isn't
a licensing issue, it's not a marketing issue, it's a
players' safety issue" (CP/Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/14).
THOUGHTS BETWEEN COCKTAILS: Bettman said three years
ago, corporations spent $20M on NHL sponsorships and
promotions. Today, the are spending $200M (Al Strachan,
TORONTO SUN, 12/14). Bettman, on competition in the
industry: "We're fighting for eyeballs. We're fighting for
dollars. We're fighting for attention. We're fighting for
fan support. There are other forms of entertainment just as
there are other sports leagues and we've got to make sure we
get our fair share" (TORONTO SUN, 12/15).
SWEET LOU: Devils President/GM Lou Lamoriello has been
named GM of the '98 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team (USA
Hockey). In Toronto, Damien Cox calls the hire a "symbolic
move on the part of USA Hockey that buttresses the
aggressive new stance it has taken on the global shimmy,"
and continues "the recent pattern that suggests the
Americans are applying more resources than ever to their
hockey programs" (TORONTO STAR, 12/14). Bettman warned NHL
governors involvement in the Nagano Olympics "won't come
cheaply." Bettman said that an "average" hotel room in
Nagano goes for $2000 a night, and must be booked for a
minimum of twenty nights. NHL players will stay in the
Olympic Village (TORONTO SUN, 12/14).
