OFFSIDER

Welcome, hockey fans, to the start of what looks like an exciting NHL season. Although the season is just underway, both the perennial underdogs and also the new expansion teams are showing us that hockey is not always as predict- able as we would like it to be.

Last year, during the strike, I promised you playoffs. There were no great surprises; most series were the same old match-ups. I wrote that whoever knocked the New York Rangers out of the running would win the Stanley Cup; the Penguins eliminated the Rangers in the second round and went on to win their second consecutive NHL championship.

Over the summer, John Ziegler, Jr. retired from his position as NHL president. Gil Stein is Ziegler’s replacement and already the NHL has an American television deal. Perhaps Stein’s most problematic legacy is the NHL’s non-policy concerning alcohol and drug abuse. The issue became relevant once more with the death of John Kordic. Even though Kordic was not a well-known player, his death is a black mark against the NHL. Why was Kordic allowed to abuse drugs when Grant Fuhr was not? That is simple -- Fuhr’s stardom saved his hockey career and perhaps his life.

Why was Kordic dismissed from the minds of most when his problem was thought to be simply alcoholism? Fans are aware of Bryan Fogarty’s alcoholism because he is recover- ing and open; Link Gaetz’s, because he is violent. Because Kordic did not respond well to the little help offered by his teams, he did not receive the help he needed. Was Kordic given enough time or chances? His death reminds the NHL that the time is up for developing a useful, practical, and implementable policy concerning alcohol and drugs.

This summer’s biggest story was the Eric Lindros trade. Quebec received the best of the deal; this is evident in their 4-1-0 record. Because Lindros refused to play even one game with the Nordiques, their G.M., Pierre Page, was able to market Lindros as an unproven-yet-hyped prospect; the interest and potential gave the Nordiques the talent and experience they need from the Flyers. Perhaps Joe Sakic will play hockey in May before he retires. 1 he hockey Panthers play at home this weekend against two of the top-

rated teams in the AUAA. Friday, they play the Dalhousie Tigers; Sunday afternoon the Acadia Axemen will be at the Civic Center. Watch out for game starting times.

I like the way panther on-ice leadership looks this year. Captain K. J. White is a gifted goal-scorer (21 in 23 games last season) who is probably the best example ofa finesse player on the gritty team. Alternates John Nelson and Paul Crabbe provide the Panthers with Nelson’s goading but productive and Crabbes’s quiet but dependable styles. The three styles combined offer both the rookies and veterans three different, but quality, types of play. Hi

UPEI ATHLETICS & PEPSI SA- LUTE THE ACADEMIC ALL- CANADIANS

The UPEI athletic department is proud to present to the students of UPEI the athletes that have been named to the All-Canadian list for the 1992 academic year. Approxiamtley 400 students from across the country were selected with 17 selected from UPEI. To be eligible for the certificate students must obtain at least an 80% average and have played varsity sports.

FIELD HOCKEY Patricia Shields

Jennifer Gillan/ Katherine McNally!

SOCCER (W) Jody Dixon/ Jeanette Gallant/ Susan Gallant/ Laureen MacDonald/ Mary Stordy/ Alana Taylor

VOLLEYBALL(W) Kelly Lund/ Jocelyn Lymburner/ Alana Taylor

BASKETBALL (W) Dana Coles/ Jennifer Dunn/ Tobey Jones/ Amy Shorsman

BASKETBALL (M) Peter Lawlor