Olaf Kolzig, better known by his nickname “Olie the goalie” or “Godzilla”, is international – he was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a son of German parents. At the age of two spent one year in Copenhagen, Denmark, and then came to Edmonton, Canada, where he started his hockey career.

“In the beginning I mostly chased the puck as a forward or defenseman. When, being 11 years old, I decided to become a goaltender – maybe because I don`t have to skate so much. That`s the reason I am now standing between the pipes, trying to stop every puck. And the parents of the other players created the name: Olie the goalie.”

When he decided to become a goalie, Ken Dryden & Grant Fuhr replaced Wayne Gretzky on his heroes list. As for the moniker “Godzilla,” Kolzig got this additional nickname when playing in Rochester.

I think I got it because of my appearance and sometimes I fly into a rage,” Kolzig says with a smile.

He was drafted in the first round of the 1989 Entry Draft (19th overall) when he was playing for the Americans of Tri-Cities of the Western Hockey League (juniors). And there he made the biggest catch he ever made and will make: he met Christin and married her – now they have three kids (Carson/4, Kendall/2 + Ashlyn/1).

After being drafted by Washington in the first years he was stopping the puck with great success for different teams in the American Hockey League (Baltimore, Rochester Portland) and Hampton Roads of the East Coast Hockey League.

In 1996 he finally convinced the NHL Capitals' bosses that he belonged with the big club. In 1998 he was only one series shy of winning the Stanley Cup and he had a big part in reaching in the finals, where the Caps were swept by Detroit. He had 4 shutouts in these play offs – which is a record in NHL Playoff history.

Through the following six years he has been the undisputed No. 1 goalie for the NHL Caps. Two times he has had the honor of playing in the All-Star-Game (1998, 2000) and represented five times he had time to play for Germany (W-Cup 1996, 2004, Olympics 1998, World Cup `96 +`04).

Normally the World Championships are played at the end of April and beginning of May – but that is also the time the NHL has its play-offs. This year is a totally different situation because of the lockout – and so he has time. In the NHL the game is over and many players are trying to stay in shape by playing for European teams.

And so does Olaf Kolzig, after coaching the goalies of his WHL-team in Tri City. He wanted to stay with Tri-City, but when the whole season was canceled he concluded that, already in the autumn of his career, he needs to stop pucks. Kolzig has assisted greatly in the Polar Bears' capturing second position in the regular season.

I talked to him after the last regular season game:

What do you think about the situation in the NHL?

It`s very tragic, very sad! For some hockey places in the States it could be the end! In the traditional places like Detroit, Toronto… it will be okay again, but in other regions in the southern part it will be very difficult. While many people moved south the NHL installed new clubs in the southern areas. And these are the clubs with the greatest losses.

It`s not fair that we are the ones who get the blame – we offered a reduction of 24 % of our wages but wanted to have a fair labor market.

Can you compare the DEL with the NHL?

It`s a real good league. I would say that the DEL (German Hockey League) is better than the AHL and not as good as the NHL. You can place it in between. Here in Berlin, former NHLers like Pederson, Fairchild and DuPont are playing - and I have no clue why they are not playing there any longer. Here it is easier to show their playing abilities because of the bigger ice surface.

But I would say, there is a difference in the living style of the NHL & DEL. In America we fly with charter airlines, then a bus comes to the aircraft to take us to a first class hotel. And nobody has to take care of his equipment. It`s a wonderful life! – In Germany`s hockey league it is also nice – sometimes we fly when the distance is too big, and the people who take care of the equipment are also doing a good job – but it`s not the same. It is not as good as in the NHL but better then in the minors.

What is up with your family?

My wife Christin will come and visit me in my hotel close to the Kurfuerstendamm, the main street in Berlin. My kids, Carson (4), Kendall (2) & Ashlyn (1) are staying in Tri-City with my parents in law – thank you!

Last but not least – what are your goals for 2005?

First goal at the moment is to become champion with the Polar Bears. Then I will help the German national team at the World Championship 2005 in Vienna, Austria. But I also hope that the NHL & NHLPA will come to an agreement and there will be a season 2005/06 – because I will win the Stanley Cup.

December 28, 2004

See also: Ivo Jaschick's Europe Archives

Steve McNeil

German League
Star Overcame Criminal Slash to Eye

McNeil in Hospital, 1984, with Janice, Peter Zankl (Cologne Sharks Teammate, goalie) & Ivo

At the beginning of the 1980`s, the number of hockey players from other countries was limited to two. Canadian Steve McNeil, born in Edmonton, Alberta, was lucky that his father was in the army, doing his duties in the state Hessen, Germany, close to Frankfurt. As a result of his father’s profession, McNeil’s status was officially “German player” (this policy actually made sense because McNeil had spent many years of his youth playing for Eintracht Frankfurt.)

The friendly, (almost) 43-year-old (D.O.B. 01/21/1962) started his professional hockey career in Essen and went from the 2nd Bundesliga to the 1st League.

However, this rising star had also been watched by the “Top Teams” in German hockey – so he went to the “Duesseldorfer EG”, and in the next season (84/85) 30 miles up the Rhine river to join the “Cologne Sharks.” It was a very successful time for this young, quick and skilled skater – with big chances for playing for the German national-team.

DISASTER ARRIVES

McNeil was enjoying his emerging career and life as a pro hockey player when, shortly after Christmas 1984, just before New Year’s Eve, disaster struck.

On December 28, 1984, the Cologne Sharks were on the road at Mannheim. In this game Steve exploded, and already had scored 3 goals. In the 29. minute he was on the way to his 4th of the night when Roy Roedger stopped him. Using his stick as a weapon, he hit the speeding McNeil in the right eye. It was such a brutal act, that it also was shown on internationally, on Canadian TV and in nearly every newspaper you could name.

It seemed to be the end of his budding hockey career, the star retaining only a frightening 30 percent of the vision in his injured eye.

Sure, Roedger sent him some flowers and phoned, saying, “Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. I only wanted to stop you by striking your stick.” McNeil couldn’t accept this lame explanation. He was in fear of losing vision in the injured eye entirely.

He went to court but Steve was very disappointed that there was only a six game ban for Roedger and a small fine.

Thankfully, an outpouring of sympathy emerged from all over the country.

Starting with the German head coach Xaver Unsinn, with many hockey players of other clubs (the whole team of Iserlohn, where some friends of the victim were playing went travelled 75 miles to visit McNeil after a practice). Teammates, members of the Cologne Sharks’ office staff and several unknown hockey fans sent presents and were supporting Steve.

McNeil turned out to be quite a fighter, and made the long road back to pro hockey.

With the help of his friends, family and especially former girlfriend Janice (later they married), he came back and was able to play again in the 1st Bundesliga. Emerging from this injury was miraculous, even though he never became the player he was prior to the incident.

(CONTINUED ON RIGHT, TOP, ABOVE)

(McNeil, continued.)

MCNEIL BATTLES BACK

There an eventful period started: Janice & Steve’s first daughter Chelsea was born – now she is attending the 12th grade of a High School in Edmonton.

He is still crazy about the fans, especially in Iserlohn because they were still fanatic and coming in big crowds when they were playing in a lower league.

“You can`t compare the people who go to see hockey in Germany with those in Canada or the US – they are making so much noise, they are so crazy supporting their team – incredible!”

After winning a German Championship with the Sharks (1986), he came to Iserlohn, where he continued to score points for the ECD (Hockey Club Deilinghofen) Iserlohn.

McNeil’s right-hand-shot helped Iserlohn, then he went to Krefeld, helping them gain promotion to the 1st League.

From 1993 – 1995 he played his final seasons in Bavaria – in Landshut (San Jose Sharks Marco Sturm is also a native of this town). His last game was the 5th final (best of 5) against the Cologne Sharks (Kölner Haie).

After this loss a friend and long time comrade, Ricki Alexander (at this time coach in Bad Nauheim), convinced him to play a last season with his team. But this was the final end to his German pro hockey career.

1996 the retired hockey player took his family (Janice, Chelsea & Jillian) back to the beautiful Canadian town of Edmonton where they owned a wonderful house with a nice garden. After Steve finished chasing pucks, he helped his father set up a truck & transportation business. He also got a license to drive trucks but and also studied accountancy.

When the McNeil family is on vacation they often take their camper to British Columbia. Steve´s second great love – after his family – is playing golf (handicap 15), and then comes – very close - fishing. However, he is still involved in playing hockey – just for fun, with the old Oilers, and sometimes he takes part in charity games and tournaments. McNeil is now a regional manager for Coca-Cola, and is now fondly referred to as "Steve McCoke" by his peers.

McNeil and daughter Jillian at last season’s NHL Heritage Classic in Edmonton.

Will it be
Jokerit again?
SM-Liiga in Finland

In previous years, there were only two teams in Finland who were winning the championship in the SM-Liiga: JOKERIT HELSINKI and TPS Turku.

From 89 – 2002, it seemed to be a league of only two clubs. They won all of the championship cups in this period (Jokerit – 5; TPS – 8) with the exception of 98, when the second team from Helsinki (IFK) was the lucky championship winner. It seemed to become a boring league for the other 11 teams.

Folks began to wonder whether SM-Liiga should start giving cup for the third place finisher. Fortunately for the league, things have changed.

2003 neither of “the great two” Clubs had been in the finals previously. KÄRPÄT OULU – the northernmost SM-Liiga hockey town (only 150,000 inhabitants) and TAPPARA TAMPERE were fighting for the championship honors, which went to Tappara. The next champion was Oulu, a region with a lot of new industry--computers, cell phones—with a lot of money available to land good players.

Four players from other countries are allowed on each roster, and Oulu decided to get three from the Czech Republic, notably locked-out NHL Swede MICHAEL NYLANDER (who has a contract with the Rangers).

Nevertheless, the big favorite of this season is JOKERIT yet again. After losing in disppointing fashion in the quarter final last year (03-04), they signed US goalie Tim Thomas again, after he had been in America for two years.

Ivo Jaschick lives in Germany.  He is a regular contributor to Eishockey Magazine and has appeared in Josh B's column on IntheCrease.  Western Hockey Network is happy to welcome Ivo to our HockeyTalk.biz team!

CATCHING UP WITH PETRI VARIS (JOKERIT)

The Jokerit defence is also strengthened by engaging Kari Martikainen (Switzerland).

But the best aspect of the club this year (2004/05) is the offence. One of the best forwards of last season is Glen Metropolit (15 g; 35 a) who is still with the team.

There are two other players added who are coming back and are also highly regarded: Juha Lind and Petri Varis (27gp 9g 8a 17pts.  see expanded stats below www.hockeydb.com), who was playing very successfully with Jokerit from ´93-´97, ´99-´01.

In between those Jokerit stints, Varis was drafted by San Jose (´93 – 132nd overall, had one NHL appearance with Chicago (´97-´98) and played the rest of the season for their farmteam, the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL. Then, he played in Germany (Cologne Sharks), Switzerland (Zürich) and finally returned in 2003 to Finland where he played for the defending Champion TAPPARA TAMPERE.

Now he has returned JOKERIT HELSINKI where he and his family (his wife Salla & kids Nelli and Kalle) have a house, and he hopes to help to bring the cup back to Jokerit. On 11/29/04 he reached another milestone in his great career when he moved into 3rd position of the Jokerit Scorerlist (319  games/Jokerit - 158 g/161 a, 319 pts.).
 

Petri Varis, Jokerit, Finnish Elite League

STATS FROM WWW.HOCKEYDB.COM

IVO JASCHICK WITH PETRI VARIS

TEAM USA WINS 2ND CONSECUTIVE DEUTSCHLAND CUP
By Ivo Jaschick, Hockeytalk.biz

HANNOVER, GERMANY - This year marked the first time that the Deutschland Cup was played by five teams: Canada, USA, Slovakia, Switzerland and host Germany. It was the best Cup ever because more of the best players could play for their country while they couldn’t play in the world’s best league, the locked-out NHL.

OPENING MATCHES
In Kreuzlingen, host club Switzerland lost the opener to Canada in front of 3,750 spectators against Canada.

After a 2 – 2 tie, Stacey Roest, who is earning his money in Rapperswil–Jona (Swiss League), scored the game-winning penalty shot. The next day, Germany lost to Team USA, 5-1, viewed by a crowd of 12,429 in Hamburg’s Color-Line Arena.

The game marked the debut of new German national coach Greg Poss, who hails from New Orleans, Louisiana (not exactly a hockey hotbed, the “Pelican State” does, however, feature minor pro clubs). Poss is also the very successful coach of the DEL (German Elite League) Nürnberg Ice Tigers.

MOVE OVER TO HANNOVER

After the participating national teams moved to Hannover (11/11/04)--the Deutschland Cup’s home city--the tournament started with a big surprise on the ice, and a whimper at the box office.

The highly regarded Team USA, replete with locked-out NHL players, was the 4-2 loser against Team Canada before just 1,481 fans.

Canada’s Pascal Trepanier and Brad Tapper (both Nürnberg, DEL) were responsible for a 2 – 0 lead before Eric Healy (Adler Mannheim, DEL) scored for the US. But Scott King still scored twice before the period ended, making it 4-1 Canada.

Team U.S.A. coach Tony Granato, the US coach, found the right words during the intermission break and the U.S. was able to recover enough to score two in the second. The Canadian victory, however, was assured during the third period by former NHLer Jimmy Waite (Ingolstadt, DEL) who seemed to be an octopus with many arms and legs throughout the contest.

Canada lost to Slovakia, 5-3, in the next match.

After Rene Corbet (Adler Mannheim, DEL) scored the third Canadian goal to pull within one with 3:56 to go in the final period, the Canadian coach pulled goalie Corey Hirsch but Slovakia prevailed by two. The Star of this game had to be Martin Bartek of Slovakia, who scored the first four goals and set up the last one.

USA WINS 2ND CONSECUTIVE DEUTSCHLAND CUP
2003 Deutschland Cup winner Team USA now had to win the rest of their games, which they did, 4-2 vs. Switzerland and 4-0 against Slovakia.

After 2003 they immortalized themselves again on the Deutschland Cup with the help of NHL players like Mike York, David Legwand, Richard Park, Tim Connolly, Jason Blake, Brian Gionta, Paul Martin and Rick DiPietro.

New Jersey Devil Paul Martin said, “Everybody is hungry to play and maybe some of them will be getting a contract here in Europe,” adding, “It’s a good opportunity for us to play under competitive conditions during this lockout.”

DEUTSCHLAND CUP FINAL STANDINGS
TEAM USA WINS TOURNAMENT
USA TOURNEY CHAMPS 2003, 2004

 NOTE
PW: PENALTY-SHOT (SHOOTOUT) WINS
PL: PENALTY-SHOT (SHOOTOUT) LOSSES

ONE WAY OR NO WAY FOR PETER RATCHUK
Peter Ratchuk, last season's DEL champion, was expected to receive a contract with the Wild of Minnesota. But now he is back with the Lions and the championship chances for Frankfurt are higher.

“I am sure that there are more players coming to Europe because the lockout will go on,” says Ratchuck. “And such a tournament is a good opportunity for the players who want to get a contract overseas, and to get used to the ice. We have a very good team, many of the players are playing again after a long time (on other clubs) and they do not know each other.”

WILL ABSENT KOLZIG JOIN GERMAN
WCH TEAM IN 2005?

With regard to Team Germany, which went winless in the tournament, the conclusion drawn at event’s end is that Coach Poss is working with a young team. Only Jochen Hecht (Buffalo Sabres) had been in the German roster while Marco Sturm (San Jose Sharks/ERC Ingolstadt) is taking care of his broken leg (last season). Christian Ehrhoff (San Jose Sharks) is unavailable, playing in Cleveland (Cleveland Barons, AHL).

As for Germany’s Superstar, goalie Olaf Kolzig, Greg Poss knows about Kolzig’s immense qualities, and would like to coach him at the next World Championship in Vienna (Apr. 30-May 15, 2005), but with one caveat: Pre-tourney preparation is key, which he would have been lacking had he been available to play for Team Germany in the Deutschland Cup.

“If Olie will take part in the whole four weeks before the next World Championship in Vienna, Austria then he will play. All the other players in the minor leagues like Dennis Seidenberg are also very interesting and I am in contact with many scouts who now have enough time to talk to me,” Poss said.

Poss explained further that it would take roughly 3-4 games in net for Kolzig to play to standard. Kolzig has been spending his locked-out days as goalie coach for the WHL Tri-City Americans.

TEAM CANADA DRAWS FROM SWISS, GERMAN LEAGUES: ADDUONO AND KING
Team Canada sent – or better – built a team of players well represented from the Swiss and German leagues. Scott King (Krefelder Pinguine), playing in all 4 games, scored 2 goals & 4 assists and finished second on the Deutschland Cup scoring list. Jeremy Adduono (See Photo), had 4 points in 3 games. Adduono, who has been having a very good season with the “Kölner Haie” (Cologne Sharks, DEL) recorded 3 points (2 G, 1 A) in the last game versus Germany and was ranked No. 6 among the top scorers.

(PHOTO: IVO J. WITH JEREMY ADDUONO, COLOGNE SHARKS, DEL)

“It’s the dream of every Canadian to play for his country. I already had the chance to play on different occasions but I am still very proud to wear the Canadian jersey and hear the national anthem. I would be very happy if we would have won this tournament with the help of my goals – but maybe we will be invited again next year and then we have a new chance,” said Adduono.

There are rumours that a Team Canada will be installed that travels from tournament to tournament – which would mean that European leagues could stand to lose many players from overseas.

ATTENDANCE LOW IN HANNOVER: KREFELD OR MANNHEIM NEXT DEUTSHCLAND CUP HOST?
It seemed that it has been the last Deutschland-Cup in Hannover because the fans are not are not coming to this event. There are rumours that next year Krefeld or Mannheim will be host of this cup. Both cities are getting new arenas.

Micki Dupont from the Berliner Polar Bears said: “We wanted to win every game but this is a very good tournament in a nice and big arena but (there were) only a few people (in attendance). Normally the fans are the biggest difference to the hockey in North America.”

Kevin Primeau* (now coach in Langnau, Swiss League - National “A”), assistant coach of Team Canada added: “The organisation here is very good, there are good teams (in the tournament), good hockey, good ice, but there are not enough people in the arena.”

From www.azhockey.com
Primeau, Kevin
Born: 1956 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Right-wing.
International Career: Played for Team Canada 1979-80. Played for Canada in the 1980 Olympics.
Club Career : Played for Edmonton Oilers 1977-78, HC Davos 1978-79, Team Canada & EHC Visp 1979-80 and EHC Visp & Vancouver Canucks & Dallas Black Hawks 1980-81.

Ivo Jaschick lives in Germany.  He is a regular contributor to Eishockey Magazine and has appeared in Josh B's column on IntheCrease.  Western Hockey Network is happy to welcome Ivo to our HockeyTalk.biz team!