EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a look at the latest international hockey news.

– The Canadian Press reports that Defenseman Maxim Kondratiev left the Anaheim Ducks to return to St.Petersburg of the Russian Super League after refusing assignment to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.

– The Hockey News is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year and has been commemorating the historic event by looking back at past stories that changed the world of hockey forever. In this week’s ” 60th Anniversary Issue” ( November 20th, 2007, Volume 61, Number 9), they look at the Top 10 players from each NHL franchise. More importantly for Euro Curve readers, in THN’s Eye on Europe section they give their Best Player of all Time for the three major International Leagues (Let me know if you agree with Risto Pakarinen’s Picks).

Finnish League– Matti Hagman, Centre (IFK Helsinki), 87 points in 36 games in 1978.

Russian League- Valery Kharlamov, LW (CKSA Moscow), 401 goals in 13 seasons.

Swedish League– Hakan Loob, RW (Farjestads BK Karlstad), 6 NHL seasons, 8 SEL seasons.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.