Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007
By Lucas Aykroyd
When you think of the all-time classic Edmonton Oilers, you think of names like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Glenn Anderson. But even though Ryan Smyth lacks the Stanley Cup rings of the aforementioned legends, his tenacity and longevity are moving him up […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001
By Lucas Aykroyd
When you think of Finnish defensemen, what comes to mind? In all likelihood, it’s a long chain of offensive-minded, elegant blueliners like Risto Siltanen, Jyrki Lumme and Kimmo Timonen. But Kari Haakana looks poised to break that mold if he can stick with the Edmonton Oilers this season. […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2007
By Lucas Aykroyd
Even though Petr Sykora leads the Edmonton Oilers in scoring in his first season with the Northern Alberta club, that’s not his main concern. The 30-year-old Czech winger, who won a Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 2000, has also experienced the pain of losing Game Seven […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 1999
By Lucas Aykroyd
For Janne Niinimaa, it would be better if a picture didn’t tell a thousand words.
Which do you remember better? The Finnish defenseman’s top-notch statistics from 1996-97, when he set a Philadelphia Flyers record for most assists by a rookie by going 4-40-44? Or the image of his botched […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2006
By Lucas Aykroyd
Once again, there’s a diminutive yet talented Norwegian forward with an unruly mop of blond hair making headlines in the NHL. But for a change, it isn’t Espen Knutsen.
Knutsen retired due to injury after the 2004-05 season and is currently coaching Valerenga IF, his original club team, […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000
By Lucas Aykroyd
In hockey talk, the term “workhorse” is often abused. Listening to TV color commentators, you might think any NHL defenseman who occasionally plays more than 20 minutes per game deserves that title. But Roman Hamrlik of the Edmonton Oilers really is a workhorse, and he proved it in […]

Originally published in the 2004 NHL Yearbook
By Lucas Aykroyd
In biology, it’s known as a symbiotic relationship. Two organisms feeding off each other for mutual benefit, like the bee and the flower.
In today’s National Hockey League, the equivalent is a dynamic duo whose offensive production stings opponents but sweetens their team’s success.
Look at the 2002-03 […]