The Hockey News

The Rookie Issue tells the tales of this season's prominent first-year NHLers, from Calder-favorite Matty Beniers to the incredible comeback of Mason Shaw to the Canadiens' four freshmen D-men. Also in the issue: our Trade Deadline Preview gets you set for the upcoming swapfest, plus stories on Bill Barilko, Sarah Nurse, Gary Coupal and much more.

MASTHEAD

THOMPSON TO THE RESCUE

5 YEARS OF HARD LOVE

HOME BREW • The tradition of rookies living with veteran NHLers continues, and it plays a crucial role in developing youngsters

BEHIND THE MASK

JERSEY HOUND

OVECHKIN-O-METER • Ovi put his name at the top of the NHL’s all-time shots list when he fired his 6,210th. That moved him ahead of Ray Bourque, who for more than two decades had been the all-time super shooter. What other marks are in Ovechkin’s sights?

IN THE CARDS

THE COUNTDOWN • Stanley Cup contenders don’t necessarily need to be chock-full of grizzled vets in order to summit the NHL’s mountaintop. A balance is just fine

Five Cartoon Cameos • Here are five former NHL players who memorably lent their looks – and sometimes their voices – to animated shows.

THE GODFATHER OF TABLE HOCKEY • There’s a secret society afoot in suburban Winnipeg. The man who runs it will play anyone – and he’s more than happy welcoming all newcomers to one of the oldest offshoots of the good ol’ hockey game

BLUELINE BAPTISM • The Canadiens are losing. A lot. Just like last year when they finished last overall. That’s the bad news. The good news? Montreal’s rebuild mode has opened the door for four rookie defensemen– and Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj and Johnathan Kovacevic are making the most of the rare opportunity

FOURTH & LONG SHOT • There was a time when Matias Maccelli’s body language sent the wrong message to scouts. A few years later, it’s NHL defenders who are challenged to figure out his crafty moves

FARM STRENGTH • After starting the season in the AHL, Mason Shaw forced his way into Minnesota’s lineup, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stick with the Wild. The knee surgeries that jeopardized his career? Hopefully, they’re history

THE CAN’T MISS KID • Smart as a whip, supremely skilled and a win-it-for-the-team mentality. Seattle definitely got a good one in Matty Beniers – and greatness appears to be within reach for the Kraken rookie

SEE MORE SKINNER • The Oilers’ rookie stopper wasn’t expected to see this much action in 2022-23, but Stuart Skinner has stepped up as Edmonton’s go-to guy in the crease

TRADE DEADLINE REWIND

CALL THE CONCIERGE • Money will be tight for many of the NHL’s contenders at the deadline. But as recent history points out, that won’t stop deals from happening. Here come the trade brokers

PACIFIC DIVISION TRADE DEADLINE PREVIEW

CENTRAL DIVISION TRADE DEADLINE PREVIEW

METRO DIVISION TRADE DEADLINE PREVIEW

ATLANTIC DIVISION TRADE DEADLINE PREVIEW

HOISTED BY ITS OWN BEDARD • Canada’s golden WJC effort was Shakespeare on icedue in large part to the future 2023 No. 1 pick

CREASE CRAZINESS • The number of surprising goalie names – and performances – at the 2023 WJC made it one to remember

DISCOVERING BARILKO • The last goal Bill Barilko ever scored won the Leafs the Cup. Everybody knows that – or at least, every fan of The Tragically Hip knows that after the Canadian rock band’s 50 Mission Cap immortalized Barilko and his tragic death in a floatplane crash following a fishing trip in the summer of 1951. But there’s moreto the story, much more than could ever possibly fiton the back of a hockey card

ONE NIGHT ONLY • FEW EVER LIVE THEIR NHL DREAM. EVEN RARER IS THE PLAYER WHO WALKS...