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Show * BS The Salt Lake Tribune SPORTS Sunday, January 24, 1999 Knicks Reverse Thinking NBA EXHIBITIONS Suaday, a 24 ‘Indiana at Chicago, pm ‘Toeny, Jan. Boston at Teron, 5 pm ‘San Antoni at Hooston, 6:30 pm edad 7 To Sign Sprewell, Showing Team Is Getting Desperate BY STEPHENA. SMITH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Clean at 550 pom New Jey at New York. 530 pm a. 28 BY STEVE LUHM THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE The Jazz's free-agent shoppinglist mer Jazz president. Whateverthe risk, the Knicks imfinals by signing Sprewell. It's difficult to categorize where teams fell in regard to improving themselves during the recent fourday signingblitz, but here’s a crack at it: becamea little bit shorter Saturday. Johnny Newman,a 12-year veteran who averaged 14.7 points a gamelast provedtheir chances of reaching the The NBA's No.1 bad boyis back. and the New York Knicks couldn't care less about the repercussions. Considering their circumstances,it’s understandable. For a team that charges$1,500 for courtside seats and hasn't won a championship since season at Denver, has agreed to terms with Cleveland. nio MeDyess, traded for Chauncey Billups and KeonClark,and still has rookie Raef LaFrentz and the three Knicks beat out the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers to trade for Latrell first-round picks and two second- Sioa and they didn’t do it by roundpicks it obtained whenit traded ad, they looked pastlast sea- Houston got Scottie Pippen and instantly became a ni contender aan instead of a crew one seaso! from seniorcitizens home. The Knicks got Sprewell. Miami and Indianadidn’t Detroit signed Christian Laettner McDyess to Phoenixlast season. son’s infamous incident, in which Sprewell became the poster boy for all that is wrong with this generation of NBA players by choking Golden State Warriors Coach P.J. Carlesimo on Dec.1, 1997. He was suspended for thought we Newmanis the third veteran free agent whohas turned his back on the lion per year with Golden State last season to sign for the $1.75 million middle-class exception this time around, Miami is a loser if Sprewell is the difference in the Atlantic Division and former Bulls forward Jud lion salary terminated — then reinstated — andhas been raked over the coals eversince. ketball operations. “We hada good shot at him. Jazz in two weeks. for the future, Loy Vaught for now, therest ofthe season,hadhis $23 mil- probably safe to scratch Cleveland from the LaPhonsoEllis Derby. That leaves Utah, Milwaukee and Atlanta as the most logical remaining participants. Phoenix had also been mentioned, but the Suns’ ability to sign Ellis probably ended Saturday whenthey signed Tom Gugliotta to a $58.5 million contract. So wherewill Ellis play this season? Newmanwill sign a two-year, $2.1 million contract with the Cavaliers, The Salt Lake Tribune learned, ending the Jazz's interest in the 6-foot-7 small forward. “Helet us know today,” said Scott Layden, Utah’s vice president of bas- Minnesota a Mvauee, § pm Sacramento at Golden State. 6 pm. San Antonio, 630 pm Vancouver at Seat. 8 pm LA Latersat LA Chippers, 839 pm Monday, Feb. Chicago at adiana. 5 pm OrlandoatMim, 5:50 pm. Utah at Denver 7 pm. Dallas at Phoenix. 7 pm The Winners: Denver signed Anto- 1973, there are bigger concerns than a choking incident. In a surprise movelast week, the Loss ofNewman to Cavs May Help Jazz’s Possibility of Signing Ellis race. Buechler for some inexplicable rea- If Washington doesn't re-sign Rod m Perkins and Mario Elie signed feittradie and Houston,respectively, after negotiations with whyare the Jazz probably feeling better about losing Newman than losing Perkins and Elie? Follow along: The Jazz are trying to sign La- Utah's Jeff Hornacek already has a bond with Ellis: Hornacek was coached by John MacLeodin Phoenix. and MacLeod coached Ellis at Notre Dame. “If he played for John MacLeod,he knowshowto play the game.” Hornacek said. “He's used to running a lot of different sets, and he'll have no trouble picking up new offenses and The Jazz have $1.8 million available defenses.” Hornacek telephoned Ellis “a few days ago. I mostly called just to tell him, ‘Hey, if you have any questions about the Jazz or Utah, just ask OONilwaukee is capped out, though the Bucks reportedly are trying to trade veteran center Andrew Lang couldn't offer himthe kind of money some other teamswill. But he said under the salary cap, maybe more thanany oftheir competitors. “We have other things working,” Laydensaid after Newman's decision. “Maybe something else will work me.’ I told him the Jazz probably ‘T've already made lot of money Advantage, Jazz? and his $3 million contract. Like the Jazz, Atlanta needs anoth- erbig manto team with shot-blocking center Dikembo Mutombo. Christian Laettner has been traded and emerging star Alan Henderson still hasn't signed. ‘The Hawks could turn out to be Utah's chief rival for Ellis, as a teammate of Mutombo’s in Denver a few years ago. So the Jazz wait. But they clearly covet the 28-yearold Ellis. That's whytheir once-keen interest in Newmancooledslightly in recentdays Ellis “is a younger guy; he would bring a lot of energy onto the court whenhe played,” said Karl Malone. Perhaps “If someone comesalong and offer him millions and millions of dollars, he’s probably not coming hereand no body could blame him,” Hornacek said, “But if our offer is as good as anybodyelse’s, who : Meanwhile,onthecourt, 16 players attending training camp continued two-a-daypractices at their Franklin Covey trainingfacility. They are preparing for Monday night's public Ellis, and Newman's decision Strickland, there are no bigger losers toPhonso sign with Cleveland mightactually than the Wizards. enhancetheir chances to hook one of scrimmageatthe Delta Center. Idle Teams: The Clippers signed the beet fish remainingin the freetrouble,a cancerin the locker room. Chris Ford as coach. Whatdoes that agent pon The only newinjury problemin is a winner. Listening to the Knicks, however, tell you about them? The Cavaliers weretalkingto Ellis. volves Adam Keefe. According to all ee eat nothing. The Losers: Thefailure to re-sign Boston traded Travis Knight for But by signing Newman, they burned trainer Mike Shimensky, he has a ‘Tom Gugliotta is one thing for Minne- Tony Battie. Wow! is an incredible basketalmost all the money they had still had sprained lower backandwill be sideball talent,* said DaveChecketts, the sota. Signing Joe Smith as his replaceCharlotte grabbed Derrick Cole- available under thesalary cap.Soit is lined “indefinitely.” president of Madison Square Garden mentis another matterall together. man but lost out on Isaac Austin and and the Knicks. For years Checketts The sign-and-trade deal involving hasn't retained Vlade Divac. had vowed that troublemakers such as Gugliotta for Eddie Jones and Elden . Fain : STANDINGS TING sounds like a 1997-98 version of the Grizz GRIZZ SUMMARY IHL STANDING: NHL Dennis Rodman and Nick Van Exel Campbell wouldn't have hurt, either 76ers. we tee8 TASTER CONFERENCE TASTER CONFERENCE would never wear a Knicks uniform. for the Lakers or the T-Wolves. Vancouvercan't seem to get anyone . erties hen ‘ane Dison “So I adjusted my thinkingandsaid ‘Thereisn’t a bigger individualloser to play there without resorting to Finally Ba Ah Pd—Uh aeae 'LSOLPu GFGA WL TPs OF GA it’s worthit,” said Checketts, the forthan Smith, who turned down $9 milbodily force. Biggs), — Miler, ‘Cincinnati 2615 4 56155151 Philadelphia 4:10:10 58.135 87 iat 600 Shr Ua ing, we 212 7 59139108 Newleney 2514 5 55129116 tamov, Man, oughing. 1421 Kurt, Man Orlando 2616 05212124 pute WT ais e Moose irre) i732 Gro Rapids 1519 7AM NY Rimes ||| AL IT A BYU SUMMARY S “WEBER ‘entral Division 14.29 3 31 106 136 (Gap) 2 12Manitoba, 3. Tardif nt10 WLSOLPu GF GA NY Islanders: eee nyu ow FG FT oR APP TP x TOR APPT ; 5 SaeDona 8ueKur, 1148p Peal Miigan 18205119 90 WL The Gr G ° Mompout is 14 14 6 0/1 $ Amari 30 B07 2 5 MW Continued from B-L eer van irozting, 244 Laer Indianapolis Wt 6 2183160 orunp Rie eg NNN lin) 202 TaMan.hing, Fon Ware 6 147-0 an tos alt i 702: Zetler, boring) 1133; ark Chand We8 4 35 120 133 : Mise os co 1 10S oe «Os : . Ho23 3 6 34 Man. fighting) 1318: Vukota, Utah, (fighting, periodin favor of the home Hava 71009 4 4 18 : 2 18416, Shymr, Man. ‘boarding! 1816, Tard, team as Utah outshot the Man, (bolding), 17:28, me 15 jus O33 Moose 11-5. Brent Hughes, Period 4, Utah, Hughes 9 (Purves, , 3337 fore =O 00 82 Don Biggs and Micah Aiva- etter 334.5, 15 (unasisted), 6, SAN JOSE, Calif. — 12 1301 OGDEN — WeberState i 305 6 zoff all scored in the first Utah, Alvanoff 7 (Hughes,ges Sharples), 912.7, Brigham Young’s women’s 23.333 7. playedits way into the Big Tals wean nine Laver 16 (Roach, Sharples), 1537 (pp) minutes of the period. Utah, basketball team took out 2 201 8 Sky Conference women's Penalties — Manitota beach (too many men| Brad Lauer's power-play Cougs Come WSU Back Back Big mania isin’ Race ton In San Jose ez iiiiit BigSkyTitle ZF some frustration after its first WAC loss, hammering San Jose State 81-38 on Sat urday night at the Event Center. nou ia be Spars1 -cent shoo sejmesi Moin Diy ren Ghee’ a 88 iii% i 1 0 4 basketball race Saturday Lees igo S211 5 night, knocking off Cal State Geils bcr aces i 16-3831 4 5 5-2 and then things Simones 25 22 3 1 3 8 madeit ugly as three fights vag San Ce got brokeout inless than 60 secSame 24 222 2 17 ‘nds. Zettler gotthings Wet Uy at eee going Rob with Jason MacDontenes : : ald, then Aivazoff (not ex- 4 Sa ee ees Fe i eee ee be te after taking a 41-14 halftime lead. Hams each of his 14 players for at totais 01 00 0 0 0 0 4 19 00 2 3 4 2 Coach Trent Shippenused Dea i bi 00 21 0 0 least 10 minutes, and they all scored. Nobody played more than minutes. Renae racer led the Cougars (10-7, 4-1 WAC) with 18 points in 17 minutes. BYU had lost 65-62 at Fresno State on Thursday with nine points. Center Ayana Smith, who had led SJSU with 14 points in ‘Thursday's loss to Utah, went 0-for-9 from the field and 2-of-;a0 from the freethrowlin BYU Tears home to play UTEP and New Mexico this week to complete the first roundofconference play. Oral Roberts 200 13-56 7-20 Moss tainsore —Bagan Yous 4 Sn — Feld Goals: Brigham ‘Young 500; San Jose State 232. Free Throws: Brigham Young 5 Save Sie 5.0 — Brigham Young 8:17 iegeeeo rif 14) Stnoe Sineieder3 Gan 1 Bare Tomson 0-3, Dagnino 6-1) ‘Steals — Brigham Young 11 (Williams 2, Cov(ngton 2, Anderton 2, Henry-Cuff, Adams, Van omen, §. Jensen, Carpetan oe Sate 0 (Dailey 2, Johnson 2, Barret 2, Dagnino 2, Gh: Mee — Brigham Young 25S, Jensen 5 viewCUGeek Wins? Ogre 2.Van Kone 2. Cova2 Adu. anova, yes Anderton, Carpenter) San Jone State 28 (Souk Chan’ Bure tare fhe 3, Meee 3, Dailey 2, Modin, Reed Blocked Shots — Bingham Young 8 Van Koren 4, Burgess 2, Henry-Cuff, Adams), San Jose host of the conference tour- nament. game tied for first place with Montana State. Freshman center Senn Sonveau scored 12 poi for WSU (7-10, 6-2 BigPoe, as did guard Shelley Olson. All of Sonveau’s points came late in the game, helping the Cats stay in commandafter they took a 37-26 halftime lead. WSU played an aggressive, pressing defense that forced 26 turnovers and held Northridge (12-6, 6-2) to 40-percent shooting. : oe $ * ae “SenPereanges — Meld Conic Ca: Ghnacauaaponias GNetnde CalNorthridge 29 Lot0, Fowler 0), We: wet 35, Olson 1-4, Stanger 12,We Sirs (ak Norte 18 (Gre4 ee 3, vdieo Aman Harr Lt Jonas Weber Ste "LangtonOba Sane Wet 2 orthridge 26Greer 7, Cur ryan § fet Mie 2 Jone, Har Jonas); Weber State 29 Olson 6, Kanongata' 5 Lanna Wier 8, Stanger, Tain a, Geddes HedShuCalNorte(ot? Har iberSate| Sng — None Ores“he Brot, Joha Weets and Stawn Cate Ait actly known for his physical play) dropped the gloves with Patrice Tardif. Hughes earned himself a “Gordie Howehattrick” a goal, an assist and a fight —whenhe wentthe rounds with Jimmy Roy. “He gave a slash and I ond period before Saturday’s game. Utah was 3-14-2 whentrailing in that situa- gave slash,” said Aivazoff. “The game got out of hand andI hadto go.” tion. Each of the Moose goalies had been named IHL goalie of the week after weekend sets with the Grizzlies. Notthis time; Shulmis- The win moves Utah back to .500 (19-19-5) and was im- portant as Kansas City and Milwaukee won Saturday. SUuh FG OPTRA PR TP ee ty AtNorth Gym,Fresno aaa fon BTipoff: 1 pm. MST ey Wen | The Moose were 18-3-1 have whatit takes.” TULSA, My Oki la. — Just Wom Me $10 Just Lonhouse wo 8 8 1220 22 00 0 14 4 women's basketball team Toul ma 1117 36 6 6 86 Peeseo GaN ear @ Last meeting: Utah 69, FresnoSt. 47 (1996) Sas emer ar fan oocoming chFraisWeaBiHeat to be comin, ORUshot54 percentfrom mrt the field to SUU's 81 per- MK cent Saturday afternoon in \: pais PELEVectOny abe MA Se Forward Sarah Pratt My sc 17 pene coe Walton shooting for S' Take Jndom tone oe M2 32 i 6 4 1 1 2 as 0 ae 2 aes tt 33 4 1036 1300 =ot2 22 ibbons shook off wt —_ (on Thursday Toxos: ‘team in scoring her slump, Young ir ss Re ee with 16 pois. F at14 points o. game. All = St G ar Game 5 Ro ach Bit King Is In her fish season ot Fosno Slate, KF or G nightand knowingthegoalie will keep them in the game. “We are developing a lot of consistency,” said Purves. “Westill have a letdown here and there. We need that little ingredient that will help us recognize when it is coming and avertit.” Fan favorite Mick Vukota the second period after a The confidence is coming Still Exciting co sinet deeteeeeeeerices Reietet wote wereblasted by Oral Rob-moe SA oach Bain Et7-4 agains! Fresno Stato, seemed whowill be in the net each dence and we should; we left theice with assistance in when leading after the sec- geTVs FSR mRaaio: Kwiw.am 700) from the net outward. Goring said the team’s recent success is due to knowing back. We played with confi- the road.” SUU T-Birds ss & $5555 when the Southern Utah taymn pointbehind the Blades and trail the Admirals by twofor demeanor as we head onto Utah vs. Fresno State WL TPu GF Detroit 23.20 3 49 135 122 Louis 1617 9 41 111 108 NOTE: Two prints are awarded fora victor, StNastville 1625 4 36 104 163 ne fra shootoutloss. Shootout lasses are only Chicago 1935 7 33 97 138 ‘deoted inthe SOL column, ot thelosscolumn. Northwest Division turday’s| WL TPu GF GA Colorado 219 4 481413 ‘Edmonton 1819 7 43.136 116 Vancouver 1524 6 36.115 135, Calgary 152 4 34112 199 Paci Divison Kansas City 5, Indianapolis (90) WL TPu GF GA Milwaukee 4, Grand Rapids 3 Dallas noi win Las Vers 4. Long Beach 3. $0 Phoenix M17 S613 oT Anahear 1719 9 43.113 108 San Jose 18 18 12 42 104 108 Los Angeles 1625 4 36 106 121 Saturday's Games| Indianapolis at Port Wayne. 4 pm. [No games scheduled Kansas City at Milwaukee 4 p. Today's Manitoba at Long Beach, § p.m. AllStar game atTampa, Fla? pm tragave up five goals on 31 The Grizzlies remain one seat Langkow improved his record with Utah to 4-2, the fifth and sixth spots in stopping18 shots. In his six WSUshot 53 percent. the Western Conference. games, he hasn't given up The Wildcats have won Onlythe top six teams make more than three goals. WeberState now hits the the playoffs. back-to-back games each of could feel the confidence in road for games at Portland e past two weekends. “We felt like we shouldn't the third,” he said. “When rteTk Morely Naksenead Guard Edniesha Curry led State (Friday) and Eastern havelost Friday,”said John we were scoring, I had my Adria Mi the Matadorswith 19 points. Washington(Saturday). as Purves, whoscoredthefirst handsupin the air and I was goal of the game late in the jumping up and down. We first period, “We needed to keptgoingafter them when SUU SUMMARY RreMae win for our confidence and alotof teams would have sat oe Shoots Down o a Northridge entered the "taltin Sore—weeSt CaN 1406; Shymr, Man, ( /unsportsnaniike conduet), 1600; Trombey, Utah, (slashing/ ce conduct), 1600; Zetler, Utah, ging1654, MacDonald, Man. thing 1644; Aivaof, Utah, (fighting, 17-4; Tard, a. gag1 ah Ui ie), Tab ay. Ma. (Be aoa Sisko7620-20. Ua ur hee neni Manitoba 2for 4 Utah for5 Goalies — Manitoba, Shulnisra 1284 (91 shots, 26 saves) Utah, Langkow 11-162 (20 shots, 18 saves) Referee—Jim Norquay Linesmen—Stephen Metcalf. (49207) goal with five minutes left mec rte avp1p Northridge 74-63 at the Dee 19 12 40 1 3 Byents Center. = 26 22 201 6 “It’s huge,” WSU Coach Fol ridirine a ca Taylorasiofthe vie1 2500 2:10 5 a am Z son. The Pistonsstill have Grant Hill and didn’t lose any ground. The New Jersey Nets have Jayson Williams, and any team with him onit Supposedly no one wanted Sprewell. He was said to be too much oat - BY K a RAPPOPORT FRESEAT ED Pe said he was having X-rays taken. His spot was filled by Rhett Trombley, who made his first appearance on the ice in 17 games. Fans cheered at the beginning of the game whenthe players who wouldn't dress were an- nounced and Trombley was not amongthem. Utah heads to Cincinnati on Tuesday and Houston on Wednesday before return- ing hometo face Long Beach ‘ort Wayne next week- scrap with Mike Ruark and NHL ALLSTAR GAME ROSTERS Pla, with NHL ICA ALLSTARS WORLD ALLSTARS vta saurar sopeetitomtcs geccetgnwus * som 5 . “dat ‘condi a ; (iba jie Det Red Wings, Sweden: 1Ue t ky Gretz didn't come back. Goring rep, er ad WinsGermanyHoma Hart, Sydor, Dallas Star, Canada ms een ie hgenTe ¢ N Coy ¥ ‘ay ‘couver Canucks, Sweden Alexei Zutnik, Buffalo Sabres. Rusia Winger m ue geeYoree Yee Cmte. ore vr,Camai dan DalSar aed Sates Reh TAMPA, Fla, — When Wayne Gretzky steps on theice for today's (yom Usted ‘T-Birds (10-9, 8-5 Mid-Con- tai Soe — Or tbe, ote newNotto that him he hasn't beentherebe- RisesUnieSe: Wendlt, Tp Pewmecbrrernne rnare Ca Tweens iu ayinihn tN rata a ees away her numbers, and the Twa 34 t 61? 414 ist Hasek Leads World Stars Uinent)were barely above25. "Sgn ten oy ‘i NHLAll-Star Game,it will be all so Sui. =< Suan Ba sa san nn ry DeCicerRa PP 1103 2 1 3 4 era StaabnDeroReWing, CaxPKa gli tues Senators, Repub 7 wgweennteet Badia Wash Soci Seen percent,ForwardMelissa unasStentrete TQ Win in Skills Challenge ‘s,ssever: I just think the excitement of bereent. Forwar Jelissa —tjtah 31.7, Oral Roberts ‘Tareepoint Shooting — Southern Utah $:22 37, Laftouse 1-6, Adama 5 Johnson 0 last three games, managed (Myers 2, Webater 1, Gres 01); Oral Robert 4:12 four points and five re- (Brady 24, Rbten 1-2, Wallow 12 Ragan 02 bounds before fouling out Collier 0, Mis 0-1 Soutbern Utah 6 (Prat 3, Hes, Ad Sas ed ie Ragan as, Loft: Oral Roberts (Coe 3, Ragan scored ints for the 3, Davis, Replogle Golden Baglee (0.9, 4-3) and recs — Southern Utah 19 (Adams 5, Kesteoad 2 forward Jessica Rhoten added 14 points and nine reble-doubles in each of the bounds, ORU led42-27 at halftime after shooting 56 percentto SUU’s 30 percent. The pace continued on both ends in the secondhalf. PoPitsnd Dewi Whiting Leads Way for Snow In Overtime Victory vs. Dixie _ St GE ORGE — Trent Whiting scored 23 points and lege held off Dixie College 7 '9-75 in overtime in ketball late Friday night Kyle Russell added 18 points for the Badgers, 20-1 overall and 8-1 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Jim on and Maurice Baker scored 15 each for Dixie (17-4, asbocata Hall scored 12 points as the Dixie women def vated Snow 74. 58. Amber Russell led Snow with 19. Salt Lake Community College edged ‘Trasure Valley 6967 in men's play. The SLCC women won 75-53 as Ashley Miller seo) red 19points and Steph Harward added 15, The Bruins forced 40 turnovers. S C fore. It's just that every year is like a ing part of the NHLAll-Star Game fresh," Gretzky said, “Every TAMPA, Fla, — Peter Bondra was the fastest skater by makesit guy who gets a chance to comehere the slimmestof margins and Dominik Hasek scored as well enjoys being here as protected the net to lead the World All-Stars to victory "To be a part of an NHLAll-Star Saturday night in the NHL SuperSkills Challenge a privilege. Nobody ever Hasek stopped five ofsix shots on the final round of the Gameis it down. night-closing Breakaway Relay event to enablehis team to turns It is the samesense of wonder that hold off the North American All-Stars 13-11 at the lee Gretzkybrings to every game — somePalace. that hasn't left him since he was Earlier, Hasek was the only goaltenderto scorein the thing schoolboy Goalies Goal competition,lifting the puckover a barrier in a daydreaming to sit and think how wonderfront his own net and sending it into the goal at the other ful Tused it would be to be a professional end of the ice on the secondofhis two attempts player," Gretzky said. “I just “I'm surprised I won the competition,” the Buffalo Sa- hockey wanted to play in the NHL. bres star said, adding that he used what he described as a Andplay he has, He healds some 60 double-curvedstick. “I was surprised hit the net. Usually onde, some of which m r be it takes mefive or six.” equaled. Gretzky has doneit all, in Washington's Bondra circled the ice in 14.64 secondsto cluding winning Stanley Cups beat San Jose's Marco Sturm byone-hundredthof a second with the Edmontonfour Oilers, for fastest skater, Al MacInnis, of St. Louis, wonthe hardeven with his fourth team and est shot event(98.5 mph) to edge Philadelphia's John Le- in But his 20th NHLseason, Gretzky still Clair (98.3 mph) hasn't lost his passion for the game a “Every dayis a challengeas far as HEROES GAME I'm concerned,” Gretzky said at a Ttwas a sceneout of “Slapshot * onlythree times the fun news conference Gordie, Mark and Marty Howeskating through a rain of challenge hasn't changed for mesince hockey sticks toward goaltender Pete Peeters on thefirst I started, Coaches told meto just go three-player penalty shot in hockey history out and work hard. Mychallengeis go Peelers stoppedMark and Marty, but not Gordie. And to the rink and do the best I can. the NHL Heroes" came back totie the "Sunbelt Heroes” Now playing in his 18th All-Star 23 n'a funfiled oldtimers gu Game, Gretzky will always remember Ken Linseman also scored for the NHL Heroes, who thefirst came back from a 2-0 deficit. Cammi Granato, one of the “I got to play with Gordie Howe, stars of the U.S. Women’s gold medal-winning Olympic he said, “He was my hero growing up team, and Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne scored for the andit was a moment I will never for Sunbelt Heroes. get THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Prladelptiu s Wena: Head Caach—Ken Hitebroch, Dallas Stars Aastaat (cacti Schoeafeld Mowat Coyote Gretzky still trails Howein Allappearances — Howeplayed in a record 23. Gretzky does hold All-Star records for career goals (12), includ- ing four in oneperiod, and points (22). Gretzky has not only beenthebiggest offensive forcein leaguehistory he has been the NHL's most impor- tant player in terms of exposure for jockey, He put Edmonton on the hockey map in the 1980s, When the cashstrapped Oilers traded Gretzkyto Los Ange! in a blockbuster trade in 1988, the move reverberated across the NHL and Canada The native of Brantford, Ontario, was regarded as one of his country's most valuable natural resources. His No. 99 remains a synonymfor “great” in Canada Gretzky's arrival in the United States inspired league growth, partic ularly to warm-weather sites. The NHL has since expanded to Anaheim, San Jose, Dallas, Miami and Tampa Bay ‘The game is growing,” Gretzky said. “The NHLis doing # goodjob selling the sport ‘This time, Greteky will be a reserve at the All-Star Game. Philadelphia's Eric Lindros was picked to start over him at center for the North America Cutt Sonde Maru Seas ‘ntubuary Preguins Caeet He Maa Corny atthe Stem Rabiye Roret New Jersey Dew team when Detroit's Steve Yzerman. voted in by the fans, was sidelined with a broken nose. Other starters for the North Ameri ca All-Stars: New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, defensemen Al Ma: clnnis of St. Louis and Ray Bourque of Boston and forwards Brendan Shanahanof Detroit and Paul Kariya of Anaheim. Starters for the World All-Stars goaltender Dominik Hasek, center Peter Forsberg of Colorado, forwards Jaromir Jagr of Pittsburgh and Teemu Selanne of Anaheim and de- fensemen Nicklas Lidstrom of Detroit and Teppo Numminen of Phoenix. who replaced injured starter Uwe Kruppof Detroit Gretzky, who turns 38 this month. chuckled when asked about retire ment, particularly in light of Michael Jordan's decision to leave basketball asked that because of my age and situation,” Gretzky said. But | really haven't thought aboutit I don't fib: At the end of the year, I'll sit down and think about it Askedif this would be his last on Star Game, Greteky said, “Yeah, then addeda qualifier ‘Don't take that the wrong way,” he said with a smile, “I said the same thing last year,’ |
