The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Ryan McGill and forward Brad Lauer from the minors Thursday. That followed Tuesday`s recall of forward Rob Conn and defenseman Steve Bancroft from Indianapolis in the International League. Conn played in Wednesday`s 4-3 victory in Edmonton, but Bancroft was held out of the lineup and returned Thursday to the minors.
Lauer was brought back earlier this season when the Hawks played in Philadelphia. But he didn`t play in that game and returned the next day to the Ice. He was the second player the Hawks received last October from the New York Islanders in the deal that brought them Brent Sutter for Steve Thomas and Adam Creighton.
The big payoff: Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean has more at stake than the chance to win the Stanley Cup this year. He is playing out the option year of his contract and, with a performance that has him in competition for the Vezina Trophy, is in line for a monster contract for next season.
”He`s earning it,” Canucks owner Arthur Griffiths said about McLean.
”My wife says I`ll get my reward in heaven. Kirk won`t have to wait that long.”
Hearts and pucks: Who says hockey doesn`t like a little love mixed in with the sweat, blood and violence of its daily grind? The Hawks` farm team in Indianapolis plans to have 50 couples married at center ice Feb. 14 to celebrate Valentine`s Day.
A whisper: Ex-Hawks defenseman Dave Manson was always soft-spoken, but his voice is now similar to Marlon Brando`s in ”The Godfather.” The Edmonton Oiler suffered an injury earlier this season when hit in the throat and it has been slow to clear up. ”Doctors tell me I just have to shut up for it to get better,” Manson said. ”I`ll probably talk this way the rest of the season.”
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