Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 11:24:52 -0700 Subject: WHL WEEKLY Welcome to the, uh... latest edition of the WHL Weekly. In this issue: 1. WHL Weekly Poll 2. Jim Hauer's Weekly Interview 3. Forward of the Week 4. Defenseman of the Week 5. Goalie of the Week 6. Player of the Week 1. WHL WEEKLY POLL RESULTS As you'll recall, the question was: "Who do you think will win the Cyber Cup?" Take a look. Some of these results stand out. For instance, the Wales Conference teams seem to have a large ego. So, without further ado, here are the results: In the entire WEB HOCKEY LEAGUE: 18 out of 24 teams responded. 5 of the 18 voted for their own team. 13 of the 18 voted for teams of their own conference. 4 of the 18 voted for teams of the Campbell Conference. 14 of the 18 voted for teams of the Wales Conference. 5 voted for the Monarchs, 3 voted for the Mallrats, 2 voted for the Icetasy, 2 voted for the Huskies, 1 voted for the Warriors, 1 voted for the Bangers, 1 voted for the Lunatics, 1 voted for the Vikings, 1 voted for the Quakers, 1 voted for the Hitmen. In the WALES Conference: 9 out of 12 teams responded. 5 of the 9 voted for their own team. 9 of the 9 voted for teams of their own conference. 3 voted for the Mallrats, 2 voted for the Icetasy, 1 voted for the Monarchs, 1 voted for the Warriors, 1 voted for the Lunatics, 1 voted for the Hitmen. In the CAMPBELL Conference: 9 out of 12 teams responded. 0 of the 9 voted for their own team. 4 of the 9 voted for teams of their own conference. 4 voted for the Monarchs, 2 voted for the Huskies, 1 voted for the Bangers, 1 voted for the Vikings, 1 voted for the Quakers. 2. ****************************************** ******* THE W.H.L. WEEKLY INTERVIEW ****** ****************************************** Hi everyone! I'm back this week with another interview with another GM. This week I visited the Mallrats out of Albany, N.Y. So I welcome, GM of the Albany Mallrats, Adam Ardis. Jim: Hi Adam!!!! How you doing? Adam: I'm doing great! It's about time you got around to inverviewing me! Jim: Yeah, maybe it is, but there are many intresting teams out there. Well, over to the interview Adam. You have been in the shadow of Bangers and Monarchs all season. Do you like the situation where you aren't the favorite in your Division? Adam: I like being the underdog. It makes our wins that much sweeter. At the beginning of the season we were leading the league, but a slump took us far down in the standings. It wasn't until I made the trade for Mario Lemieux that we started rising again. Jim: Lets talk about that deal some more. Mr. Shumka of the Drizzle has earlier stated in an interview that he is pleased with the deal Lemieux - Renberg. Are you, and is anything you can tell us about that deal? Adam(grinning evilly): Am I pleased with that deal? I think the answer to that is obvious. At the time of the trade, I had the Legion of Doom line going, and they were getting it done, but Shumka was looking for a RW so I offered him Renberg for Lemieux, and he jumped on it. Stat-wise, they look even, but I have seen Lemieux play before, and I was very excited to pull the trigger on this deal. I knew the pairing of Lemieux and Lindros would wreak havoc on the WHL, and for the most part it has. Jim: So, you probably have the most powerful line in the WHL. Lemieux and Lindros! I have yet to see Mallrats play, so who is the third guy, and is Lemieux and Lindros double-shifted? Adam: Hehehe. The unsung hero on the LW is John LeClair. He has been pretty quiet this season, but he's pitching in. He was hurt for a few games along the way, but if a team doesn't watch out, he'll jump up and bite you. On a line with Lemieux and Lindros, you can't be taken lightly. As for double-shifting, I am not at liberty to answer that question at this time. Jim: Heheh, I understand! Nobody could believe that someone would catch Fedorov in points this season. But both Lindros and Lemieux are on their way. Any comment on that? Adam: Both Lemieux and Lindros are great players in this league, and putting them on the same line only doubles their effect. Since the trade, they both have been putting up goals like wildfire. With each other passing them the puck, they are unstoppable. If you ask me, I think Lemieux will catch Fedorov first, then Lindros, not to take anything away from Sergei, but he's at a disadvantage. Jim: So, Adam Who is the most valuable player, Lemieux or Lindros? Adam: Lindros has to be the MVP of this team. Before Lemieux came, he carried the team on his back to one of the best records in the league. And since the addition of Lemieux, he's only gotten better. He's the man. An underlying hero has to be defenseman Dimitri Mironov. He's quietly achieved a great season defenseively, and is a main contributor to this team winning. Jim: Talking about Mironov. I must say I'm little suprisied over his good performance so far this season. Are you? Adam: Not at all. When I drafted him, I knew he could fit in very well on this team, and he has not disappointed. Jim: You currently have 80 points. The Grunts, the Agents and the Gangstaz could all reach you. Are you worried about not reaching the playoffs? Adam: Absolutely not. The Mallrats are one of the hottest teams in the league, and the team is pulling together down the stretch run. Jim: What do you think of the situation where the Adams division is as powerful as it is? Do you think that the League office should consider a change here? Adam: The balance of the league will change when the inexperienced GMs get the hang of the game. You'll see, teams that are at the bottom will draft better next time along and build contenders. I don't think it's an accident that this division is the best in the league, there is probably a lot more experience here. Jim: I think myself that Mallrats are favorites to win the Cup. I think you agree with me. But who will be your thoughest oppenents in the playoffs? Adam: Getting out of the Adams division will be tough, but come playoff time I think we will be on the rise. I still think we have a great shot at winning the division and the President's trophy. That's what we're shooting for. Everyone must see the full force of the Mallrats! Jim: What do you think of the WHL. Feel free to say what you really think? Adam: I was worried when Kevin decided he couldn't run the league anymore. I even went so far to volunteer to become commissioner, but then Shaun stepped up and I knew he would take the reigns well. I helped him out in the beginning, but he took off on his own like a newborn eagle. The league has a lot of potential, and I'm happy to be a part of it. Jim: And I think you and all other GM's should be. This is the hardest league right know. Oh, right, back to the interview, the league hasn't had any big rivalries so far. Is their any team you have a rivalry with? Adam: I would say so. By a freak coincidence, the Grunts, coached by Mr. Dave Moore, was put into our division. Well before the WHL there was a building rivalry between the two of us. It's a friendly rivalry, of course, but we're at each other constantly. Of course, I have had the better of him in just about all of the instances, but there's always next time, Dave. This WHL season will not be an exception. The Mallrats would love to eliminate the Grunts from the playoffs, and will pull no punches if we meet in the playoffs. Jim: So, let's see if Mallrats face rival Grunts in the playoffs. Could be interesting. I wish you good luck in the future with the team and playoffs, and if you don't have any thing else you want to say, I would like to thank you for your time. Adam: Thanks, Jim, I appreciate the chance to be in the spotlight and have my say. You're doing a fine job, keep it up! Watch out for those Mallrats, they're coming to contaminate a mall near you! Jim: So, I, Jim Hauer will be back with another interview and another team next week. See ya then, and thanks for you time!! Jim Hauer reporting for the WHL Weekly from Albany, N.Y. 3. FORWARD OF THE WEEK (Game 62-67) Well, this week there were a lot of outstanding forwards. The Mallrats shone. Lemieux had eight points in seven games and Lindros had eleven in the same span. But this week the Forward of the Week award goes to Steve Yzerman of the Raptors. Stevie Y scored seven goals and added two assists for nine points in six games. Infact, he had five points in one game alone. 4. DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK Ray Bourque was terrific this week. He had seven assists and eight points im six games while providing Bourquesque defense. That's why he's the player of the week. 5. GOALIE OF THE WEEK This week's Goalie of the Week honor goes to Mike Vernon of the Monarchs. In his six starts he had a shutout, a one-goal game, and two two-goal games. Also, he had a save percentage of .928 while maintaining a goals-against average of 2.00. 6. PLAYER OF THE WEEK Mike Vernon had a 2.00 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. He helped his team to a 5-1-0 record in his six starts. That's why he's the player of the week. See ya next week. * * *** *** ***** ***** ******* ******* ****************** *THANKS FOR READING* ****************** ******* ******* ***** ***** *** *** * * * * *** *** ***** ***** ******* ******* ****************** ***THE WHL DIGEST*** ****************** ******* ******* ***** ***** *** *** * *