DEADLINE FOR SELECTING OLYMPIC HOCKEY ROSTERS MOVED BACK

          In a "victory" for the Canadian Hockey Association, the
     deadline for naming Canada's Olympic team has been extended
     by four months to December 1, according to Alan Adams of the
     TORONTO STAR.  Canadian hockey officials had argued that an
     August 1 deadline was "unworkable" because the selections
     would be based on what NHL players accomplished this season
     rather than the early part of '97-98.  Adams notes that
     another "sticking point" resolved was who would pick up the
     travel and accommodation costs of the approximately 120
     guests of NHL players to Nagano.  Previously, the costs were
     to be paid from anticipated "hockey card revenues," and if
     sales failed to cover the costs, the NHLPA, NHL and Int'l
     Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) were to "share the costs
     equally."  Now the IIHF will be "responsible for any
     shortfall" (TORONTO STAR, 3/18).