1997 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

Profiles

Rob Blake 4
Defence
Ht: 6'3 Wt: 215 Age: 27 (10/12/69)
Hometown: Simcoe, ON
1996-97 Team: Los Angeles Kings
NHL Years: 8


INTERNATIONAL: played on 1996 World Cup silver medal team...won a gold medal playing for Team Canada at the 1994 World Championship in Bolzano, Italy.

PROFESSIONAL: NHL/Upper Deck All-Rookie Team in 1991... played in 1994 NHL all-star game...drafted 70th overall in 1988 Entry Draft.

COLLEGE: played with Bowling Green between 1987-90... named a CCHA second team all-star in 1989... made the CCHA first all-star team in 1990... named to NCAA west first all-american team in 1990.

PERSONAL: lists boating and golfing as his favourite activities... received the 1996 Kings Community Service Award... nickname is "Blakey."


Year Team GP G A P PIM
96-97 LA Kings 62 8 23 31 82

International
1996 World Cup 4 0 1 1 0
1994 World Championship 8 0 2 2 34


Joel Bouchard 6
Defence
Ht: 6'0 Wt: 190 Age: 28 (23/01/74)
Hometown: Montreal, PQ
1996-97 Team: Calgary Flames
NHL Years: 3

INTERNATIONAL: played on gold medal-winning National Junior teams at World Junior Championship in 1993 and 1994.

PROFESSIONAL: Calgary's 7th choice, 129th overall in the 1992 NHL entry draft.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played three years of major junior with Verdun of the QMJHL... named to QMJHL first all-star team in 1994.

Year Team GP G A P PIM

96-97 Calgary (NHL) 74 3 4 7 91

International
1993 World Junior Championship 7 0 0 0
1994 World Junior Championship 7 0 1 1


Sean Burke 1
Goalie
Ht: 6'4 Wt: 208 Age: 30 (29/01/67)
Hometown: Weston, ON
1996-97 Team: Hartford Whalers
NHL Years: 9

INTERNATIONAL: Won a silver medal as member of 1986 National Junior Team at the World Junior Hockey Championship... member of the 1987 Canadian Gold Medal team at the Izvestia Tournament..Member of Canada's 1987 World Hockey Championship team that placed fourth . ..won a silver medal as a member of Team Canada at the 1989 World Hockey Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, and again in 1991 in Helsinki, Finland . . Named to World Hockey Championship All-Star team in 1991. . . captured silver with the 1992 Canadian Olympic Team in Albertville, France... played for Canada's National Team in 1986-87, 87-88 and 91-92.

PROFESSIONAL: was New Jersey's 2nd choice, 24th overall in the 1985 entry draft...in 1989 became the first rookie and Devil to start in an NHL all-star game... acquired by Hartford from New Jersey in 1992... in 1996 was voted the SportsChannel New England MVP for the third consecutive season.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played last two years of junior hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the OHL.

PERSONAL: the biggest influence on his career was his father... enjoys playing the guitar... is married and has two children, Andie (5) and Brendan (3).

Year Team GP Mins Avg. Save%

96-97 Hartford (NHL) 51 2985 2.69 91.4

International
1986World Junior 2 120 3.50
1986-87National Team 43 25503.05
1987World Championship 5 300 2.40
1987-88National Team 37 1962 2.81
1988Winter Olympics 4 238 3.02 89.3
1989 World Championship 5 274 2.19 91.8
1991World ChampionshipN/A
1992Winter Olympics 7 429 2.37
1991-92National Team31 1721 2.61


Anson Carter 33
Forward
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 175 Age: 22 (06/06/74)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
1996-97 Team: Boston Bruins
NHL Years: 1

INTERNATIONAL: in 1994 played for the gold medal National Junior Team.

PROFESSIONAL: was Quebec's 10th choice, 220th overall, in 1992 entry draft... traded to Washington before being traded to Boston in 1997, in the deal that sent Adam Oates, Rick Tocchet and Bill Ranford to the Capitals.

COLLEGE: played final four years of college hockey at Michigan State... was a CCHA first team all-star in 1994 and 1995... member of 1995 NCAA west second all-star team... was a CCHA second team all-star in 1996.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Washington/Boston (NHL) 38 11 7 18 9

International
1994World Junior Championship 7 3 2 5


Steve Chiasson 3
Defence
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 205 Age: 30 (14/04/67)
Hometown: Barrie, ON
1996-97 Team: Calgary Flames/Hartford Whalers
NHL Years: 11

INTERNATIONAL: played on 1987 National Junior Team in Piestany, Czechoslovakia. Canada and Russia were disqualified from medal contention.

PROFESSIONAL: was Detroit's 3rd choice, 50th overall, in 1985 NHL entry draft... played in his first NHL all-star game in 1993... led Flames in 1995-96 playoff scoring (tied with Theoren Fleury)... traded to Calgary by Detroit in 1994 before being traded to Hartford in 1997.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: led Guelph (OHL) to the 1986 Memorial Cup championship, capturing the tournament MVP award

PERSONAL: Steve and his wife Sue have two sons... the Chiasson's split their summers between Calgary and Peterborough, ON.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Calgary/Hartford (NHL) 65 8 22 30 39
International
1987World Junior Championship 6 2 2 4


Cory Cross 26
Defence
Ht: 6'5 Wt: 212 Age: 26 (03/01/71)
Hometown: Lloydminster, AB
1996-97 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Years: 4

INTERNATIONAL: making his international debut at the 1997 World Hockey Championship.

PROFESSIONAL: was Tampa Bay's 1st choice, 1st overall, in the 1992 supplemental draft... in 72 games with the Lightning in 1995-96, Cross had 16 points and 66 penalty minutes.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played four years of university hockey in Edmonton with the Alberta Golden Bears... in the final season he had 39 points in 43 games.

PERSONAL: Single... lists scoring his first NHL goal as the greatest thrill in his career (April 18, 1995 vs. Chris Terreri)...enjoys golfing during his spare time.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Tampa Bay (NHL) 72 4 5 9 95


Shean Donovan 42
Forward
Ht: 6'2 Wt: 190 Age: 22 (22/01/75)
Hometown: Timmins, ON
1996-97 Team: San Jose Sharks
NHL Years: 3

INTERNATIONAL: member of Canada's 1995 gold medal National Junior Team in Red Deer, AB.

PROFESSIONAL: San Jose's 2nd choice, 28th overall, in 1993 entry draft... had 14 points in 71 games this season.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played final four years of junior with Ottawa of the OHL... in 1994 was 2nd leading scorer for Ottawa with 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) in 62 games... member of Ontario's gold medal under 17 team at the 1992 World Hockey Challenge.

PERSONAL: Shean is a big movie buff, with The Shawshank Redemption and Braveheart among his favourites... enjoys the year round golf weather in San Jose.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97 71 8 6 14 30 42
International
1995World Junior Championship7 0 0 0


Bob Errey 21
Forward
Ht: 5'10 Wt: 185 Age: 32 (21/09/64)
Hometown: Montreal, PQ
1996-97 Team: San Jose Sharks
NHL Years: 14

INTERNATIONAL: making his international debut at the 1997 World Hockey Championship.

PROFESSIONAL: Was Pittsburgh's 1st choice (15th overall) in the 1983 Entry Draft... played on two Stanley Cup winners with Pittsburgh ('91,'92)... career high in goals (26), assists (32), and points (58) in 1988-89... was traded this year from Detroit to San Jose.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: In 1983 with Peterborough of the OHL he was named to the OHL First All-Star team, accumulating 53 goals and 47 assists for 100 points in 67 games.

PERSONAL: Bob, wife Tracey have sons, Conor and Chad, spend off-season in Peterborough, ON... he enjoys golf and water skiing.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97San Jose (NHL) 76 5 7 12 65


Dean Evason 16
Forward
Ht: 5'10 Wt: 180 Age: 32 (22/08/64)
Hometown: Flin Flon, MB
1996-97 Team: Canadian National Team
NHL Years: 13


INTERNATIONAL: began his international career in 1984 with the Canadian Junior Team... spent the 1996-97 season with Canada's National Team, leading the team in scoring.

PROFESSIONAL: was Washington's 3rd choice, 89th overall, in the 1982 entry draft... played for Washington, Hartford, San Jose, Dallas, and Calgary... his best season statistically was 1987 where he had 22 goals and 59 points.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played for both Spokane and Kamloops of the WHL... in 1984 he was a first team all-star, posting 49 goals and 137 points in 57 games.

PERSONAL: Dean and his wife, Sherri, have two children . . .an excellent golfer, Dean won the Greater Hartford Open Celebrity Long Drive contest for three consecutive years (1989-91). . .boyhood idol was Team Canada GM Bob Clarke.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Canada's National Team 56 25 46 71 106


Eric Fichaud 31
Goalie
Ht: 5'11 Wt: 171 Age: 21 (04/11/75)
Hometown: Anjou, PQ
1996-97 Team: New York Islanders
NHL Years: 2

INTERNATIONAL: making international debut at the 1997 World Hockey Championships.

PROFESSIONAL: was Toronto's 1st choice, 16th overall, in the 1994 entry draft... was traded to the Islanders by Toronto for Benoit Hogue, the Islanders 3rd round pick in 1995, and the Islanders 5th round choice in 1996.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: named to the Canadian Major Junior second all-star team in 1994... member of the Memorial Cup all-star team in 1994... in 1994 he also won the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy for the top goaltender in the Memorial Cup Tournament... named to the QMJHL first all-star team in 1995.

PERSONAL: single... became a goaltender at age four because he liked the equipment... enjoys watching the New York Knicks of the NBA and playing Sega.

Year Team GP Mins Avg. Save%
1996-97NY Islanders (NHL) 34 1759 3.10 89.9


Jeff Friesen 19
Forward
Ht: 6'0 Wt: 180 Age: 21 (05/08/75)
Hometown: Meadow Lake, SK
1996-97 Team: San Jose Sharks
NHL Years: 3

INTERNATIONAL: earned gold medals at the 1994 and 1995 World Junior Championships under coaches Jos Canale (94) and Don Hay (95).... Earned a silver medal playing for Canada at the 1996 World Hockey Championship in Vienna, Austria . . .played for Canada's national under - 18 team at the 1993 Pacific Cup.

PROFESSIONAL: San Jose's first choice, 11th overall, in the 1994 entry draft... in his rookie season with the Sharks, he was named to the NHL all-rookie squad... finished 4th in voting for rookie of the year... second in team scoring in 1995-96 with 46 points.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played three and half seasons with the Regina Pats of the WHL and was called up to the Sharks for the last part of the 1994-95 season.

PERSONAL: Jeff, single, split the 1995 off-season between San Jose and Meadow Lake, SK.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97San Jose80 28 34 62 73
International
1994World Junior Championship 7 0 2 2
1995World Junior Championship 7 5 2 7
1996World Championship 8 2 0 2 6


Chris Gratton 77
Forward
Ht: 6'4 Wt: 218 Age: 21 (05/07/75)
Hometown: Brantford, ON
1996-97 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Years: 4

INTERNATIONAL: member of 1993 National Junior Team winning gold for Canada at the World Junior Championship in Gavle, Sweden.

PROFESSIONAL: was selected 3rd overall in the 1993 entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning... had 42 points and 123 penalty minutes in his rookie year with the Lightning.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played in 62 games his first season with Kingston of the OHL, scoring 27 goals and adding 39 assists for 66 points, and was named the OHL's Rookie of the Year... in 1992-93 he scored 55 goals and 54 assists, while adding 125 penalty minutes... won the OHL's Top Draft Prospect Award in 1993.

PERSONAL: Chris is single... enjoys playing golf and working out during his spare time... does many charitable appearances in the Tampa Bay area.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Tampa Bay 82 30 32 62 201
International
1993World Junior Championship 7 2 2 4


Travis Green 39
Forward
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 193 Age: 26 (20/12/70)
Hometown: Castlegar, BC
1996-97 Team: New York Islanders
NHL Years: 5

INTERNATIONAL: played for the 1996 World Championship Team capturing silver for Canada in Vienna, Austria under head coach Tom Renney and assistants Andy Murray and Mike Johnston.

PROFESSIONAL: the New York Islander's second pick, 23rd overall, in the 1989 entry draft... played two and half seasons with Capital District of the AHL (90-91 to 92-93)... Travis has been playing the last five seasons with the Islanders.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played four seasons in the WHL, three and half with Spokane and the last part of the 1989-90 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

PERSONAL: Travis is single and splits the off-season between Long Island and Castlegar, BC.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97NY Islanders (NHL) 77 22 41 63 38
International
1996World Championship 8 5 3 8 8


Jarome Iginla 12
Forward
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 193 Age: 19 (01/07/77)
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
1996-97 Team: Calgary Flames
NHL Years: 1

INTERNATIONAL: dominant member of the 1996 National Junior Team which won gold for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Worcester, Mass... led the team in scoring with 5 goals, 7 assists, and 12 points in 6 games.

PROFESSIONAL: Dallas' 1st choice, 11th overall, in 1995 entry draft... traded to Calgary along with Corey Millan for Joe Nieuwendyk, December 19, 1995.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: had impressive junior career with Kamloops of the WHL... in 1995-96 he had 63 goals in 63 games... won the George Parsons Trophy in 1995 (Memorial Cup Tournament Most Sportsmanlike Player)... WHL west first team all-star in 1996... Canadian Major Junior first team all-star in 1996...won two Memorial Cups (94 and 95).

PERSONAL: Jarome is also an excellent baseball player and was an all-star catcher on the 1992 Canadian National Jr. Team... spends his summers in Edmonton.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Calgary (NHL) 80 21 29 50 37
International
1996World Junior Championship 6 5 7 12


Bryan McCabe 44
Defence
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 204 Age: 21 (08/06/75)
Hometown: St. Catherines, ON
1996-97 Team: New York Islanders
NHL Years: 2

INTERNATIONAL: Two-time gold medal winner at the World Junior Hockey Championship with Canada's National Junior Team: in 1994 in Fryek-Mistek, Czech Republic and 1995 in Red Deer, AB.

PROFESSIONAL: was the Islanders' 2nd choice, 40th overall, in the 1993 entry draft... in his rookie year, Bryan had 23 points and 156 penalty minutes... scored his first NHL goal on October 31st, 1995 versus Mark Fitzpatrick

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: was one of the WHL's top players in 1994-95 being named to the First all-star team from the east... named to the Memorial Cup all-star team in 1995... was a WHL second team all-star in 1993.

PERSONAL: often takes responsibility for musical selection in the Islanders locker room... favourite groups include AC/DC, The Cure, and Counting Crows.


Year Team GP G A P PIM

1996-97NY Islanders(NHL) 80 8 19 27 163
International
1994World Junior Championship 7 0 0 0
1995 World Junior Championship 7 3 9 12


Owen Nolan 11
Forward
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 201 Age: 25 (12/02/72)
Hometown: Belfast, Ireland
1996-97 Team: San Jose Sharks
NHL Years: 7

INTERNATIONAL: The 1997 World Hockey Championship is Owen's first international appearance for Canada.

PROFESSIONAL: was Quebec's 1st choice, 1st overall, in the 1990 entry draft... played in two NHL all-star games ('92 and '96)... traded to San Jose by Colorado for Sandis Ozolinsh on October 26, 1995.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played last two years of junior with Cornwall of the OHL... in 1989-90, he played 51 games, had 51 goals, 59 assists, 110 points, and 240 penalty minutes... was an OHL first team all-star in 1990.

PERSONAL: Owen is a big golf fan who enjoys playing many Bay Area courses... he also enjoys fishing in his spare time... Enjoys seafood and Italian food.


Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97San Jose (NHL) 72 31 32 63 155

Keith Primeau 55
Forward
Ht: 6'4 Wt: 210 Age: 25 (24/11/71)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
1996-97 Team: Hartford Whalers
NHL Years: 7

INTERNATIONAL: played for Team Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, winning a silver medal.

PROFESSIONAL: he was Detroit's first pick, 3rd overall, in the 1990 entry draft... to date his best pro season was in 1993-94, when he collected 31 goals and 73 points.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: led OHL in points, goals, was third in assists with Niagara Falls in 1989-90...OHL second team all-star that season.

PERSONAL: Keith, wife Lisa have two children, stepson Corey and daughter Kylie..enjoys softball, golf, fishing, and travelling.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Detroit/Hartford (NHL)75 26 25 51 161
International
1996World Cup of Hockey 5 0 0 0 21


Geoff Sanderson 8
Forward
Ht: 6'0 Wt: 185 Age: 25 (01/02/72)
Hometown: Hay River, NWT

NHL Years: 6

INTERNATIONAL: played on Canada's 1993 World Championship Team, which finished fourth in the championship, held in Dortmund, Germany . . .Won a gold medal as member of Team Canada at the 1994 World Hockey Championship in Bolzano, Italy.

PROFESSIONAL: was Hartford's 2nd choice, 36th overall, in the 1990 entry draft... has played entire NHL career with Hartford... best offensive season was in 1992-93, where he had 46 goals and 89 points...played in the 1994 NHL all-star game.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played three seasons with Swift Current of the WHL... in 1990-91, he scored 62 goals and added 50 helpers for a total of 112 points.

PERSONAL: has three brothers, Grant, Gerry, and Guy... enjoys water-skiing, golf, and baseball...spends his summers in Whitefish, Montana.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Hartford (NHL) 82 36 31 67 29
International
1993 World Championship 8 3 3 6 2
1994 World Championship 8 4 2 6 32


Todd Simpson 27
Defence
Ht: 6'3 Wt: 215 Age: 23 (28/05/73)
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
1996-97 Team: Calgary Flames
NHL Years: 2

INTERNATIONAL: The 1997 World Hockey Championship is Todd's first international appearance for Canada.

PROFESSIONAL: signed as a free agent on July 6, 1994 by the Calgary Flames... in his brief stay with the Flames in 1996, Todd totalled 32 penalty minutes in 6 games.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played two years with Tri-City before moving to Saskatoon of the WHL... in 1993-94 he played 51 games, scoring 26 points and adding 175 penalty minutes.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Calgary (NHL) 80 1 13 14 218


Don Sweeney 32
Defence
Ht: 5'10 Wt: 188 Age: 30 (17/08/66)
Hometown: St. Stephen, NB
1996-97 Team: Boston Bruins
NHL Years: 9

INTERNATIONAL: The 1997 World Hockey Championship is Don's first international appearance for Canada.

PROFESSIONAL: he was Boston's 8th pick, 166th overall, in the 1984 entry draft... a steady force at the blue line, Don has played his entire career with the Bruins.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: a top defenceman for four years at Harvard University... helped lead the Crimson to the NCAA finals in 1986 where they bowed to Michigan State... named an NCAA East all-american in 1987-88 in addition to earning First Team ECAC all-star honours as he had 6-23-29 in 30 games.

PERSONAL: earned his degree from Harvard in Economics... is married and loves to golf.

Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Boston (NHL) 82 3 23 26 39


Rick Tabaracci 30
Goalie
Ht: 6'1 Wt: 180 Age: 28 (02/01/69)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
1996-97 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Years: 8

INTERNATIONAL: The 1997 World Hockey Championship is Don's first international appearance for Canada.

PROFESSIONAL: Pittsburgh's 2nd choice, 26th overall, in the 1987 entry draft... has spent time with four different NHL clubs before moving to Tampa Bay this year from Calgary.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played three seasons with Cornwall (OHL) from 1986-89... appeared in more than 50 games and 2,900 minutes in each of his three junior seasons... was selected to the OHL's first all-star team following the '87-88 season and the second all-star team in '88-89.

PERSONAL: lists his hobbies as motorcycles and water-skiing... is a spokesperson for "Give it a Shot!", a reading incentive program for children.

Year Team GP Mins Avg. Save%
1996-97Calgary/Tampa 55 3012 2.75 90.2


Rob Zamuner 7
Forward
Ht: 6'2 Wt: 202 Age: 27 (17/09/69)
Hometown: Oakville, ON
1996-97 Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Years: 6

INTERNATIONAL: The 1997 World Hockey Championship is Rob's first international appearance for Canada.

PROFESSIONAL: selected by the New York Rangers in the third round, 45th overall, in the 1989 NHL entry draft... signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay on July 13, 1992... had his best offensive season in 1996-97, scoring 17 goals and 50 points in 82 games.

COLLEGE/JUNIOR: played final three years of junior with the Guelph Storm (OHL)... in his final season of junior ('88-89), Rob scored 46 goals and had 111 points in 66 games.

PERSONAL: single...enjoys golfing and working out during his spare time... credits his parents as being the biggest influence on his career.


Year Team GP G A P PIM
1996-97Tampa Bay (NHL) 82 17 33 50 56

For more information:
Brad Pascall Vice-President, Hockey Operations