Pope endorses hockey initiative
Doctrine signed by 17 international groups emphasizes sport’s openness, togetherness
We’re not sure if the Pope is a hockey fan. Or if he’s ever seen a game. But Pope Francis certainly is supportive of the sport’s new initiative called The Declaration of Principles, a doctrine cosigned by 17 international hockey organizations stressing how the game should be open to everyone and bring people together.
As such, Pat LaFontaine, Hockey Hall of Famer and NHL vice president of hockey development, confirmed during a Wednesday news conference that Pope Francis had sent a letter Tuesday night backing the idea.
Here is part of the letter, as read out by LaFontaine.
“His Holiness, Pope Francis, was pleased to learn that an international group of hockey organizations has chosen formally to adopt the declaration of principles that emerged from last year’s global conference. His Holiness trusts that this significant gesture will inspire greater appreciation for the pivotal role that’s played by sports and sportsmanship in training future generations to pursue personal excellence and to promote the spiritual values of teamwork, solidarity and mutual respect that are so necessary.”
The Pope’s endorsement comes after LaFontaine, fellow Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille and Omar Mitchell, the NHL’s vice-president of corporate social responsibility, went to the Vatican for a three-day conference on Sports for the Service to Humanity.
DRAFT AGE BOOST?
An interesting aspect to The Declaration of Principles: a push to raise the draft age by a year from 18 to 19 to allow young players to further develop, both mentally and physically.
It’s a concept LaFontaine has been pushing for a while, although he’s certain to get some pushback from the NHLPA.
One league executive who supports such an initiative is Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello, who said as much during an interview with Postmedia during the GM’s Meetings in Boca Raton back in March 2016.
“I’ve always been in favour of (an age 19 draft) for different reasons,” Lamoriello said at the time. “I think there may be different ways you could approach it, whether it be the first round or the first two rounds. I think if it’s something the union and the league could agree on that would be positive for the game. I think that you could come up with something that would be better for the development of players, help junior hockey, and also have less mistakes as far as drafting.”
Asked about a possible influx of 18-year-olds to Europe, Lamoriello replied: “I think those are the things you’d have to look at, and you might have to make adjustments as far as the rules are. Right now there are rules today that not only apply to going to Europe but there are rules in college that are different than junior hockey. They’re all done for the right reasons so I think you’d have to possibly get a collectively flat set of circumstances to prevent all the exceptions.”
VEGAS BABY VEGAS
Golden Knights goalie MarcAndre Fleury knew people in Las Vegas wouldn’t be as familiar with him as fans in Pittsburgh, where he was a member of three Penguins Stanley Cup winners.
Or, for that matter, fans in his native province of Quebec, where the sport is a 12-months-a-year religion.
But imagine his surprise this past weekend when the movers who were lugging his furniture into his new Vegas residence suddenly recognized the starting goalie of the NHL’s 31st entry.
“Yeah, it surprised me a bit. I wasn’t expecting it,” Fleury said with a laugh during the NHL’s annual media tour Wednesday. “But I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the excitement about the team in Vegas. People are really looking forward to it.”
Given the attractions that are the trademark of Sin City, Fleury was asked if the omnipresent distractions Vegas holds for visiting players might give the Knights an advantage on home ice.
“Maybe back in the ’90s when things like that were more commonplace and guys went out more,” he said, chuckling.
“But I think in the modern-day game, guys are concentrating on all business instead of that offthe-ice stuff.”
Wearing a wry smile, he was quick to add: “I hope it does help us, though.”
CROSS CHECKS
New York Islanders captain John Tavares says that playing the final season of his contract without an extension won’t be a distraction. Let’s see if he maintains that stance after being peppered with questions from his hometown media when the Isles visit the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Jan. 31. … Good to see that Sabres forward Kyle Okposo on Tuesday skated in Buffalo for the first time since he was hospitalized last spring. “It was obviously a tough situation, a tough road,” Okposo told The Associated Press. “I’m just happy to be back and happy to be able to play again, and play at a high level.” Okposo was admitted to hospital April 2 to be treated for the effects of a concussion and spent about a week in intensive care. “It was definitely a scary thing,” he said. “Your mind starts to question a lot of things.” Okposo said he was uncertain whether he’d be ready for the start of training camp, but the fact he is back on the ice is welcome news.