From kinnaird@gpu.srv.ualberta.caWed Dec 4 22:19:13 1996 Date: Thu, 26 SEP 1996 13:40:12 -0600 (MDT) From: "Darren W. Kinnaird" To: Michael Hebert Cc: Web Hockey League -- Dave Sprowl , Mike Vader , Mike Newman , Marc Hebert , Jason Kolsrud , Kevin Beilner , Dave Moore , Lorne Clark , Shaun Driver , "Kevin W. Sharples" , "Jud. Burkett" , Robert Wysoglad , Jason Stumpf , Adam Ardis , Andreas Larsson , "Brian R. Howe" , Robert Wysoglad , Lori Steward , Todd Henry , David Jensen , Jason Stumpf , "Kevin G. Nash" , Stephen Crewe , Lee McEwen , Jeff MacDonald Subject: Voodoo Noos Hi I'm Dave Hodge and today on That's Hockey we are going to look at the Vancouver Voodoo. The team has changed ownership twice in the last year, from Darren Kinnaird and the Rolling Stones, to Mr. Wysoglad, and now back to just Darren Kinnaird. This has led to some instability with the franchise and many player movements. In fact, only a handful of players chosen in last years dispersal draft still remain with the team. Joining us in studio today is TSN hockey analyst Bob McEnzie and via satellite play by play man for the 'Doo Jim Hughson. Welcome genltemen. Jim Hi Dave, Hey Bob Bob Hi boys Dave: Jim we'll start with you. How is the spirit in the city of Vancouver, with the new ownership in all, and the addition of Pavel Bure, the Russian Rocket? Jim: Well Dave, the city seems pretty excited. The Voodoo management team has done an excellent job marketing the team. A real first class job, from advertising, to meet the player days, and a 0% percent increase in price for season ticket holders. The season tickets hae sold out with many games already sold out. Games against Albany, and Bridgland are already comlpetely sold out, with games against Edmonton, their main rival becoming very hard to come by. Dave:What about the team this year. How do you think they will fair in their quest for the Cyber Cup? Jim: Well the new additions of Bure and rookies Baumgartner, Satan, Warriner, and welcome surprise Plante, can only make the team better. The only problem is most of the other teams in the conference have gotten better. The Brigland Huskies are greatly improved, with Albany coming over to this conference, and the Vikings still with the same core of players, - Patrick Roy of course, the 'Doo are in tough. Don't let the Vikings poor exhibition season fool you. The Fury have also gotten better, maybe only lacking a solid offensive leader. Smolinski is a good player but he's no Lemieux or Lindros or even a Zhamnov for that matter. Bob: Yeah I agree with Jim here. The Voodoo have really improved their left side. They were really weak on the left side last year. Picking up Satan and Warriner in the draft and getting Lowry in the trade with Corinthians, gives them a little depth at the left side. They could still use a game breaker over their but there aren't many to come by. The Campbell conference is much better this year for the simple reason of Albany. Lemieux and Lindros carried that team last year and so far they are doing it again this year. It is going to be really hard for any team to compete with them. Dave: Jim, as Bob pointed out the 'Doo are weak on the left side. Besides that what other weaknesses do you think the 'Doo have? Jim: Well they're penalty killing was attrocious in the pre season. It was at something like 69%. That's what really killed them. They didn't take many penalties but when they did, they got burned. Look for Coach Tom Renney to work on that with the team in the forst few weeks of the season. Other than those two things I think they are pretty stable. Dave: After the break we'll come back and speak to Voodoo player's Joe Sakic, and Pavel Bure. ***Watch Expos baseball as they drive for the Wild Card spot right here on TSN. Go Deep*** Dave: Welcome back to the show, now joining us from Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, Joe Sakic and Pavel Bure Joe and Pavel: Hi Dave. Dave: Gentlemen, are you ready and excited for the start of the second WHL season. Let's hear from Joe first. Joe: Yeah Dave, with the addition of Pavel here, things look like they are going to be really fun this year. Coach Renney has been telling us to play disciplined but to also have some fun. Pavel here is probably the most exciting player in the league and he is a thrill to watch. Pavel: Training camp was really good this year. I hadn't been up to Whistler since my day's with the Canucks of the disbanded NHL, and it was really nice to be up there. I really enjoy playing with Joe and can't wait to get the regular season going. Dave: Pavel what about the move, did you find it hard? Pavel: Not Really Dave, I have homes here and a lot of friends here. Having Pat Quinn here also made it really easy to get settled in here again. Leaving the Corinthians, was tough. I really enjoyed playing with Alexander Mogilny , but the system there just wasn't right for me. Here I am given free reigns to just go out and have a good time with my teammates on and off the ice. Dave: Joe you payed in this conference last year. What do you think of the changes and specifically what do you think of the Vikings-Voodoo rivalry. Joe: Well our conference isn't certainly alot better this year. Having Eric and Mario in the building's will mean increased ticket sales and also bruises and hung heads. As for the Vikings rivalry, it's in good fun. I mean off the ice those guys are some of our best freinds. Over the summer we played a mini tournament with the two team mixed in Kamloops and Jasper. It was a best of seven with no contact. All proceeds went to Canuck Place in Vancouver and Roald McDonald house in Edmonton. Dave: Thank you gentlemen, and good luck. Joe and Pavel: Thanks Dave. Dave: When we come back I'll have the last word. ***This Winter don't hibernate. You will miss all the Web Hockey League action here on TSN. Games of the week on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Esso Hockey show on Saturdays, this winter is going to be hot!! Go Deep, on TSN.*** Billy Kordyback writes to us from Edmonton Alberta: Dear That's Hockey, I was wondering if you could briely tell me whether there is or is going to be a WHL Hall of Fame? At the time this show was taped, we had contacted the league offices but they had not gotten back to us yet. Our guess is that as stars begin o retire a Hall of Fame will open up. Well folks thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoyd todays program, I'm Dave Hodge and have a good night. ****************************************************************************** Darren Kinnaird www.ualberta.ca/~kinnaird/ GM Vancouver Voodoo-Web Hockey League All the people, with the backwards attitudes, pointing fingers, when that's a bad excuse for sitting on your ass when you complain! - Grim Skunk ******************************************************************************