11-01-2005, 05:37 PM
|
#32 (permalink)
|
|
Her Jay
Location: Ontario for now....
|
Looks like the Russian Rocket has called it quits. I was never his biggest fan but he was great player.
Quote:
Former Vancouver Canucks speedster Pavel Bure has retired from a playing career that had been plagued by multiple knee injuries.
Bure made his NHL debut with the Canucks in 1991-1992 and was the league's rookie of the year.
In 1999, Bure was traded to the Florida Panthers along with Brad Ference, Bret Hedican and a third-rounder for Mike Brown, Dave Gagner, Ed Jovanovski, Kevin Weekes and a first-rounder in 1999.
Three years later, he was traded to the New York Rangers.
Bure, 34, was dubbed the "Russian Rocket" for his dynamic speed and firepower, which made him one the NHL's most-feared snipers.
He won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer two times, notching 58 goals in 2000 and 59 in 2001. He also scored 60 goals in back-to-back seasons (1993 and 1994).
He hasn't played since injuring his right knee in 2003. During his 12-year career, Bure underwent five knee surgeries and two reconstructions.
He will now take over as general manager of Russia's Olympic team.
Alexander Steblin, president of the Russian Hockey Federation, said Bure would lead the team at the 2006 Torino Winter Games in February. Bure's position is the same as Wayne Gretzky's with Team Canada.
Bure helped Russia capture a silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games by scoring a record five goals in a 7-4 semifinal victory over Finland. He also helped his country win Olympic bronze four years later in Salt Lake City.
Bure says the Russian national team will sport a new look under his guard. He told Reuters the recent rash of internal squabbling and player boycotts is history.
Once a world hockey superpower with a record 23 world championships and eight Olympic gold medals, Russia has not won a world title since 1993.
|
__________________
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
|
|
|