Brian Costello discusses the news and events around the NHL and world of hockey

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THN at the All-Star Game: Skills competition makes for night of pure fun

THN at the All-Star Game: Skills competition makes for night of pure fun

by Brian Costello - January 28, 2012 11:42 PM EST

From Patrick Kane's Superman impression to Carey Price's blue ice antics, the skills competition was a show for the fans.
OTTAWA - There was a loud creaking sound coming from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa Saturday night. The pessimist will tell you it was the sound of hockey purists turning over in their graves seeing their beloved game reduced to a collection of buskers clowning around on the ice.


Costello: Remembering victims of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash

Costello: Remembering victims of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash

by Brian Costello - December 30, 2011 11:55 AM EST

While working as a second-year reporter, Brian Costello shares his story about being on the ill-fated bus.
Twenty-five years ago today, the Swift Current Broncos went on the longest road trip in the history of major junior hockey. They were headed a couple of hours down the TransCanada Highway to Regina for a Dec.


Costello: Wagering on the NHL season

Costello: Wagering on the NHL season

by Brian Costello - October 8, 2011 10:25 AM EDT

There are always many disagreements among THN staffers as to how the season will play out, so a little friendly competition is common.
Hockey pools and fantasy league drafts are standard fare this time of year in this corner of the world. But there’s also a bit of inside wagering amongst the crew at The Hockey News for stakes such as ice cream cones, burritos and sometimes even steaks.


Costello: Hockey Hall of Fame inducts worthy 2011 class

Costello: Hockey Hall of Fame inducts worthy 2011 class

by Brian Costello - June 28, 2011 5:15 PM EDT

Usually players have to wait before being inducted, but Ed Belfour made it in on his first try, which may be because of committee turnover.
Good call by the Hockey Hall of Fame’s selection committee this year inducting first-year candidate Ed Belfour and three stars passed over in previous years - Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk and Mark Howe.


Costello: Robyn Regehr trade makes no sense for Calgary Flames

Costello: Robyn Regehr trade makes no sense for Calgary Flames

by Brian Costello - June 27, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

Why did the Flames trade Regehr and also have to include a second round pick? What is GM Jay Feaster's plan?
I’m having a tough time seeing Jay Feaster’s logic in the trade the Calgary Flames made with the Buffalo Sabres over the weekend.


Costello: Fond memories of Atlanta's first draft weekend

Costello: Fond memories of Atlanta's first draft weekend

by Brian Costello - June 3, 2011 1:20 PM EDT

THN's Future Watch guru looks back to his trip to Atlanta in 1999 when everything seemed to be working for the Thrashers.
In the beginning, the Atlanta Thrashers had it all. They had a growing and vibrant world-class market that just a few years earlier hosted the Summer Olympics.


Costello: NHL Draft Preview showcases game’s next wave

Costello: NHL Draft Preview showcases game’s next wave

by Brian Costello - May 14, 2011 10:02 AM EDT

There are always plenty of story lines to follow at the NHL draft and this year is no different as you'll see in THN's Draft Preview.
Twenty years ago this month the Edmonton Oilers dynasty was officially over – five Cups in seven years – and most hockey fans were talking about an NHL final that featured Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Minnesota North Stars.


THN.com Blog: How to determine who is a prospect in Future Watch

THN.com Blog: How to determine who is a prospect in Future Watch

by Brian Costello - March 15, 2011 11:45 AM EDT

Readers often wonder where the cut-off point is from prospect to NHL player, so the editor of our Future Watch edition explains the classifications.
One of the many questions we receive in feedback on our annual Future Watch issue, now available on newsstands and in the THN.com store, is what constitutes a prospect.


THN.com Blog: Maple Leafs' Gardiner no longer of first round pedigree

THN.com Blog: Maple Leafs' Gardiner no longer of first round pedigree

by Brian Costello - February 12, 2011 10:37 AM EST

Toronto GM Brian Burke is banking on recently acquired prospect Jake Gardiner blossoming into a top-four blueliner, but scouts have their doubts.
In acquiring Jake Gardiner from Anaheim this week, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a prospect who was selected in the first round (17th overall) in 2008, but who probably wouldn’t carry first-round pedigree if that year’s draft were to be re-held today.


THN.com Blog: 17 players make our People of Power and Influence list

THN.com Blog: 17 players make our People of Power and Influence list

by Brian Costello - January 8, 2011 9:33 AM EST

We look at the NHLers who make our annual PoP list and explain why they sit where they do and why one doesn't make the No. 1 spot.
A neighbour once asked me why on Earth we always put NHL commissioner Gary Bettman No. 1 on our People of Power and Influence list - he gets booed everywhere he goes, yet fans fork out big cash to watch Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin and they’re further down the list.


THN.com Blog: NHL fans can boo who they want

THN.com Blog: NHL fans can boo who they want

by Brian Costello - November 13, 2010 9:31 AM EST

GM Brian Burke chastized Toronto Maple Leafs followers for booing Dion Phaneuf, but they're well within their right.
I must admit I was a little hurt and confused in the aftermath of Toronto Maple Leaf fans booing their new captain Dion Phaneuf barely 10 games into the season.


THN.com Blog: Top 100 players by position ranking makes for great debate

THN.com Blog: Top 100 players by position ranking makes for great debate

by Brian Costello - October 9, 2010 10:25 AM EDT

When THN's Top 100 Players of All-Time by Position special issue is released, expect a lot of debate on where more recent players landed.
The good things in life, I must confess, reach new standards each time they come around. An excellent meal instantly becomes one of the best I’ve ever had.


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"Right when I hit the deck, I knew there was no way I was getting up and I was yelling, 'Heads, heads, heads.’ I knew he had his back turned to me and that ended up happening…I think we're lucky it wasn't worse than it really is."

- Buffalo defenseman Jordan Leopold on his accident during practice with coach Lindy Ruff, who sustained three broken ribs.

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