The News of Hockey

After taking a year off of the Puck Stoppers and Puck Floppers articles, The News of Hockey is looking at bringing back the popular article. So, one week into the 1993 season, here is a look at the top and bottom goalies of the league so far.

Allan Bester – Winnipeg Jets

3-1-0 | 1.50 GAA | .943 SvPct | 1 Shutout

The Winnipeg Jets are desperately looking for Allan Bester to bounce back after a down season in 1992. Bester had once seen himself among the elite goalies in the league and being nominated for the Vezina Trophy. However, after 1992 and then Training Camp this season things did not look good. Once the season started, Bester has shown some resurgence. Bester has won three of his four starts, which included already collecting a shutout. The 5’7” tender leads all starting goalies in Goals Against Average and Save Percentage thus far to start the season.

Patrick Roy – Edmonton Oilers

4-0-1 | 1.97 GAA | .919 SvPct

It absolutely shocking news, Patrick Roy was traded this past off-season from the Buffalo Sabres and found himself in Edmonton to tend the net for the Oilers. Roy was verbally and visually upset by Sabres management moving on from him and stated that he had vowed to have his best off-season training yet. He told Oilers fans not to be surprised if they see the Vezina Trophy land back in Edmonton. Roy has since helped the Oilers become the only undefeated team to start the season and has collected nine of a possible ten points in his five starts. Roy was ranked as the third best goalie by our news outlet this past off-season and he may be looking to climb those ranks.

Dominik Hasek – Toronto Maple Leafs

3-1-0 | 1.75 GAA |.922 SvPct

Somebody who is not shy to the goalie leader boards it that of Toronto Maple Leafs legend Dominik Hasek. The Czechoslovakian native has taken home the last two Vezina Trophies and is listed the top goalie in the league by our rankings. He has started the season off with three wins in four games and surrendered just seven goals in those four outings. What is impressive is that Hasek has been able to keep a level head during the future separation in his home country. Coming this New Year’s Eve, Czechslovkia will be splitting the country in half and he will now represent the Czech Republic.

Glen Hanlon – New York Rangers

0-2-0 | 6.15 GAA | .789 SvPct

Just a couple years ago, the New York Rangers looked like they were on the verge of dominance, however a change in direction has had them take a step backwards in hopes of three steps forward. The Rangers have already had four goalies suit up for them through five games and the weakest has been Glen Hanlon who has surrendered 12 goals in just 117 minutes on 69 shots. The 36-year old goalie, at his best times a mediocre back-up so this will be tough for Rangers fans to endure this season.

Roman Turek – Montreal Canadiens

0-3-0 | 6.05 GAA |.831 SvPct

The Montreal Canadiens have one of the top young goalies in the NFHL right now, but he will be thrown to the wolves for this 1993 season. Roman Turek is just 23-years old and could use another season in the NFMHL or at the very least be a back-up or 1B goalie, but he’ll assume the starters role in one of the toughest markets to play in. Turek had three starts this week and was pulled in two of them as he surrendered 12 goals in just 119 minutes and stopped just 59 shots of 71. Coach Guy Lafleur says this is not a tank season and he’ll go with the best goalie, which right now is Turek.

Wade Flaherty – Anaheim Ducks

0-3-0 | 5.35 GAA | .851 SvPct

Sometimes there is a price to pay to go for the SMJ Cup and the Anaheim Ducks are now paying for it. After a three-season run as one of the elite, financial despair led John Smith to dismantling his team. What they are left over with is Stephane Beauregard and Wade Flaherty manning the net in Orange County. Both would have a tough time being a number one in the NFMHL or even possibly the NFJHL but here we are. Both were equally as bad, but there is only one spot on this list and it goes to Flaherty who lost all three of his starts this week after being pulled in two of them and surrendering 14 goals.

Name	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Allan Bester - Winnipeg Jets	1			3
Patrick Roy - Edmonton Oilers		1		2
Dominik Hasek - Toronto Maple Leafs			1	1

Name	1st	2nd	3rd	Points
Glen Hanlon - New York Rangers	1			3
Roman Turek - Montreal Canadiens		1		2
Wade Flaherty - Anaheim Ducks			1	1