The return of Newfoundlanders Away
The feature makes its 2017-18 debut with just about 90 players from this province
Newfoundlanders Away, The Telegram’s popular weekly feature, makes its first appearance of 2017-18 in today’s edition, featuring about 90 players from Newfoundland and Labrador skating with teams that stretch from British Columbia to southwestern Siberia.
Those familiar with this offering know that besides providing a clearinghouse of statistical updates on these players, Newfoundlanders Away also tracks their movements, whether through trades, promotions or demotions, or switching of leagues.
The feature also allows the tracking the accomplishments of players from this province or newsworthy happenings in their careers.
For the first time in a long time, there are no National Hockey Leaguers from Newfoundland and Labrador on our list.
The closest thing perhaps is winger and former NHLER Teddy Purcell from St. John’s who skates with Avangard Omsk (that’s the Siberian team) in the Kontinental Hockey League, widely regarded as the second-best circuit in the world.
Purcell is also worth following since he has played internationally for Canada this season — he participated with this country’s entry in the Karjala Cup in Finland last week. That would seem to put the 32-year-old in the conversation for Canada’s 2018 Olympic team, although it still remains to be seen whether the KHL will do as the NHL did and decide against allowing its players to participate in the Winter Games in South Korea.
As usual, we ask you assistance in our weekly compilation — if you know a player or players you think should be on our list, please let us know, either by phone (709-748-0820) or by e-mail. A reminder: our list is restricted to those playing in professional, major junior, junior A (and the U.S. equivalent), Canadian university (U Sports) and American NCAA Div. 1 and Div. 3 leagues.
In case you are wondering, there is no Div. 2 hockey in the NCAA.