News from September 1997

Hey! Smile, Pavel!

The Russian Rocket has touched down in Japan, and he's revved.

The seemingly perpetually dour Vancouver Canucks star seemed to be in an upbeat mood after the team landed in Tokyo for a season-opening two-game series against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks this weekend.

"They have great fans here who love hockey," said Bure.

"I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun."

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Joking Gino hits high gear

"Finally, a rink where I get to use my speed."

Ah yes, it's fun time for the Canucks in Japan.

The Canucks practised on the 200-by-100-foot ice surface after a 30-minute, shoulder-to-shoulder trek today on the jammed Tokyo subway.

The players joked with each other and took their own pictures with their point-and-shoot cameras as North American photographers popped away.

"It would be tough to have to do that every time we had to get to practice," said defenceman Dave Babych. "You certainly can tell who had a shower and who didn't.

"I don't know if we're planning to do this tomorrow. I think they'll consider something else. I'd like to see what it's like here at rush hour."

For Pavel Bure it was a flashback to his boyhood in Moscow.

"I used to do this when I was 10 or 11 years old," said Bure, who is making his fifth trip to Tokyo after four journeys to Japan as a member of the Russian national team.

"I had to carry my own equipment to school with me for practice afterwards."

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Play it again, Pavel

Russian Rocket makes dramatic entrance as jet awaits to end uncertainty over Japan trip.

30 September, 1997.

Then a airport terminal door opened and Pavel Bure strode in, suitcase in hand. Cameras flashed. People smiled.

Okay, so it wasn't quite the most touching airport scene since Humphrey Bogart spoke about beans and bid a foggy farewell to Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.

But Bure, unlike Rick Blaine, got on the plane and joined his friends, the Vancouver Canucks, for season-opening games this week in Japan.

Cue Sam at the piano.

"I can tell you I'm going," Bure said, wearing his black pinstripe travelling suit and accompanied by Canucks sidekick Gino Odjick. "It's hard to tell what the possibility was [of not going]. The thing is I'm going and that's the most important thing right now."

Bure, embroiled in a contract dispute with the Canucks, hinted last week that he may sit out games and remained, after Vancouver's final pre-season contest on Saturday, non-committal about the Japan trip.

According to a friend of Bure's, as late as Sunday evening he was still undecided about travelling to Japan.

Bure said he spoke Monday morning with his agent, Mike Gillis, who is trying to settle with Canuck general manager Pat Quinn what agent and player have cryptically described as "unresolved issues."

A source said Monday the key issue is the $1.7 million US Bure feels the Canucks owe him in unpaid wages for the National Hockey League lockout three years ago.

"I don't really know what has changed," Bure said at the airport. "I just talked to Mike and he said what was good and what was bad. He said things looked good and I should go for sure.

"It seems negotiations are going in the right direction. I feel really happy in Vancouver; it's a nice city."

Whether it's nice enough for Bure to stay likely hinges on the Canucks issuing back pay and addressing his other concerns.

Gillis said: "We're making our best effort to resolve a number of issues that have involved Pavel for several years."

He added, however, if the issues prove "unresolvable," Pavel's relationship with the Canucks cannot continue.

Bure will make $5.5 million this season in the fourth year of a $24.5-million US contract that was negotiated by agent Ron Salcer in 1994.

Bure fired Salcer last summer. A source cited Salcer's inability or unwillingness to go after the Canucks for Bure's back pay as a key reason for his unexpected dismissal. At least two dozen other NHL players, including Canuck Jyrki Lumme, had the same contractual pay guarantee as Bure.

Bure expressed his frustration to Quinn during a one-to-one meeting in August. The 26-year-old Russian player declined to say Monday what his plans are beyond the Canucks' games Friday and Saturday in Tokyo against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Odjick said he was happy just to have Bure along for the Japan trip.

"I was hoping and praying he'd be here," Odjick said. "But I only found out this morning when I went to pick him up."

"We anticipated that he would be on this trip," Canuck coach Tom Renney said, relieved to have his first-line right winger available. "I think what we've done is deal with this well. It's something between Pavel and management of the club."

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Pavel takes off

Russian Rocket boards plane for season opener in Japan

30 September, 1997.

Checking in at the Canadian desk was a grinning Pavel Bure, with trusty sidekick Gino Odjick guarding his back.

Bure's unpredictable behavior combined with his less than direct responses to simple questions the last couple of weeks had led to rampant speculation he might refuse to travel to Tokyo with his teammates for the unprecedented pair of NHL league games against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (Friday and Saturday, B.C. time) even though he is under contract.

His arrival, a few minutes before general manager Pat Quinn but several dramatic minutes later than the 23 other travelling team members, caused the television crews to jostle for best position and possibly widened already pretty significant smiles.

The festive, holiday-like atmosphere, however, was apparent long before Bure and Odjick arrived.

The atmosphere was considerably lighter than Saturday night, for instance, on the eve of the waiver draft and when the Canucks had completed their nine-game exhibition schedule by losing their seventh game and fourth at home 5-4 to San Jose Sharks.

The slate is wiped clean now and while not all the off-ice player wrangling has been resolved, at least popular winger Martin Gelinas and hard-working Lonny Bohonos got new deals.

And Bure, who was still speaking in riddles, seemed content that his agent Mike Gillis had made enough progress with Quinn and was feeling comfortable with the direction of their talks.

While Quinn was no wise-cracking Chevy Chase, even he seemed to be plenty satisfied with all that he and assistant Steve Tambellini had accomplished and was looking forward to getting away.

All he has on his plate upon his return is getting Bure's situation behind the club, coming to terms with restricted free agent Alexander Mogilny and re-signing defenceman Brett Hedican, who was said to be close to agreeing as the team's flight left at 1:45 p.m.

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Bure going to Japan

 VANCOUVER (CP) -- The Vancouver Canucks will ice half of their Russian right-wing rotation when they open their historic NHL schedule Friday in Tokyo against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
 Pavel Bure made the long trip to Japan on Monday after playing a cat-and-mouse game about his availability to open the regular season.
 Bure will earn $5.5 million US this season, but was unhappy with some provisions of his contract and apparently asked to be traded before training camp began.
 He arrived at the airport late with teammate Gino Odjick, but said he's pleased with the business side of the issue handled by agent Mike Gillis.
 "I'm really excited to go to Japan and play hockey," Bure said. "It seems like I'm going in the right direction and I'm really happy."
 Bure will open the season on a line with newcomer Mark Messier and holdover Markus Naslund.

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Talks aim to get Bure to Japan

Sharks 5 Canucks 4

It's far too early to rejoice, but the chances of Pavel Bure stepping on the plane to Japan tomorrow have improved.

Vancouver Canucks GM Pat Quinn contacted Bure's agent Mike Gillis on Saturday afternoon and told him the team was going to make an effort to accede to the concerns about his contract which hopefully will ensure the Russian Rocket's presence on Monday afternoon's team flight.

There's no assurance of Bure being on the flight, of course, but it's a ray of light in what was shaping up as a cloudy deadline. The two sides are set to speak today.

Bure maintained he knew nothing of Gillis's conversation with Quinn and continued to be coy about showing up at the airport on Monday.

"I haven't talked to (Mike) today," said Bure. "I don't want to get in to the business part pf hockey. Will I be there? I on't know. I've been to Japan four times. It's a lot of fun, but I don't know."

Based on another preseason loss -- this time a 5-4 setback to lowly San Jose -- the urgency level goes up even more to short-circuit Bure's trade request.

"It's really conflicting," said Canucks head coach Tom Renney, whose club finished the preseason with a dismal 2-7 record and doesn't play until next weekend in a two-game set in Tokyo against Anaheim. "We need to know one way or another. We really need to have him. In terms of hockey, he's been great and on the big ice over there he'll be a big factor."

The manner of the loss had to be disquieting for Quinn and company, considering the decision to drop Corey Hirsch. Not only did the Canucks blow a 4-2 lead (the fourth time they've done that in four home preseason games) but the Sharks scored the winner on a questionable goal from the stick of ex-Canuck Murray Craven 2:56 into the third period. While shorthanded, Craven took a wide-angle slapper from the right faceoff dot that caught Kirk McLean too deep in his net and went in just inside the far post.

But the goaltending wasn't the only concern, as the Canucks defence had another dreadful outing.

"They worked hard and we didn't," said Canuck captain Trevor Linden. "The bottom line is we're going to have to make a team commitment to doing things the right way."

Pavel assisted on the Canucks first goal.

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Bure fast -- but silent

Rocket won't deny trade rumor

There's no question Pavel Bure's blinding speed has returned after generating some more breakaways in the Vancouver Canucks' 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night at the Garage.

What's not so certain is whether the Russian Rocket will be speeding to Japan with the team on Monday when the club lifts off for a season-opening two-game set with Anaheim.

A TV report Wednesday out of Toronto had Bure threatening to down tools before the overseas trip if his demands (presumably a trade) weren't met. According to sources close to Bure that is currently untrue, but he refused to deny that possibility after the game.

"I know I am on the Canucks team right now and I know we're supposed to go to Japan on Monday, so we'll see what happens on Monday," said Bure when asked if he'd consider pulling the pin before the trip. "It's a business thing and (Bure's agent) Mike Gillis knows the answers -- that's why I hired him."

Canucks senior vice-president of hockey operations Steve Tambellini said the club has no inkling of a holdout. "I have no reason not to expect him on the trip," said Tambellini.

New Canuck Mark Messier said that Bure's situation -- one of a number of off-ice brushfires that are smoldering around the team these days -- hasn't been a distraction.

"It hasn't been unsettling at all," said Messier, who reported no problems with a sore groin after playing his second game in as many days. "Pavel's a great kid and he's had a great attitude so this hasn't been in the forefront."

Bure was in cold twice in the third period, but couldn't convert either chance. The first, about two minutes in, sat on the goal line and was swept out by Flames goalie Tyler Moss -- although Messier said it was clearly across the line.

Bure missed on a clean breakaway a couple of minutes later but the puck jumped over his stick before he could jam it into the open side.

The right winger was also prominent on the winning goal, when he was caught cheating up and Theoren Fleury found himself all alone in the slot for the winner with just 21 seconds left -- dropping Vancouver to 2-6 in the exhibition season.

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John McKeachie: Bure ball now in Quinn's court

The Rocket's red glare.

Actually, I'm not sure Pavel Bure has one. And while he might want to play in the country where that pun of a line is part of the American anthem, it's not a slam dunk it will happen.

There have been a lot of inflammatory words said and written about the status of arguably "the best player in training camp and preseason games."

The quote is via Bure's new agent, Mike Gillis. But the man who went one on one with Alan Eagleson and beat him in court, won't use the ultimate inflammatory language which includes breach, trade or holdout.

In simple terms, according to Gillis, "There are some issues which are not yet resolved. Pat (Quinn) is familiar with them."

Some are legendary. Some rumored. Others yet unknown.

For example, the unpaid portion of Bure's contract from the lockout year must be among them, although Gillis declines to get specific. However, when asked if elsewhere around the league others have had the same problem solved and how he said, "Yes, some via signing bonuses, some by redoing the contract."

In other words, mechanisms are available if both sides are so motivated. But Gillis wouldn't elaborate when asked if a breach of contract had, in his opinion, occurred with Bure.

As for rumors, throw out the Russian mafia and the girlfriend problems.

Gillis acknowledged there are, in fact, some unresolved issues about which fans or media haven't yet successfully guessed. Asked if they are legit beefs, as opposed to a misled kid just wanting all his candy, the agent said "Yes."

Now what?

Well, it was an informative meeting among Gillis, Quinn and Steve Tambellini at Whistler. Gillis is happy his client has done everything asked of him by the team and Gillis, while Tambellini -- in acknowledging Bure's prowess -- won't comment on details other than to say they are pleased he's back at his form of two years ago.

Gillis did say he advised Quinn of a comfortable "time frame" in which to get the outstanding matters resolved. "Before the end of training camp" is the frame, but the agent won't acknowledge the more emotional "deadline." Nor will he get into the "or else" other than to say, "There are some options."

Those would include withholding services. I can't see someone as honorable as Mike Gillis advocating such did he not consider the contract breached. Again, he won't say so.

Pavel at half speed just can't and won't happen. It's now all or nothing time. And no, Mark Messier has had no, and won't have any, influence on the decision. This is business, and you know he not only understands that but sympathizes with it.

"Anything's possible," Gillis adds when asked if Bure staying is in the cards. The same answer came when asked if a trade was or was not requested.

Whether or not Bure was previously getting bad advice, it seems he does have a point.

When someone as forthright and up front as Gillis agrees with your stance and pleads your case, there must be some credence to it. My guess is Bure wants to be the highest paid player on the team, since he's arguably the best.

But it's a bad guess. "No, we haven't asked for that," says Gillis.

I am saying the ball is in the Canucks' court with the clock ticking for a decision.

Quinn was Tacoma bound and didn't reply Tuesday. Calling me back isn't nearly as important as the one to Bure.

Never mind spending money on a new face. It seems to be a simple matter of appeasing an old, if not cherubic one. The same one who had them cheering on Saturday night.

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Small crowd watches Messier & Bure lift Canucks

Former Rangers star scores twice as Vancouver downs Los Angeles in Tacoma Dome

The Vancouver Canucks, behind A-plus play by their A line, clubbed the Los Angeles Kings, 4-2, as the Canucks' celebrated new line of center Mark Messier and wings Pavel Bure and Markus Aslund was on fire on the ice Tuesday.

It didn't take long for them to make their presence felt. Shortly after the Canucks killed off a five-on-three Kings' power play, Naslund scored from a tough angle on right wing at 15 minutes, 52 seconds of the first period for a 1-0 lead - the assists to Bure and Messier.

Los Angeles tied it at 6:21 of the second. Ray Ferraro clanked one off the right post, and Glen Murray fed Ferraro, camped in front, for a cripple goal.

But the Canucks' A line struck again seconds later. Messier scored from in front, the assist to Bure from behind the net. It was Messier's first goal in his three games for Vancouver.

The Canucks extended the lead to 3-1 at 19:03 of the second period on a two-on-one break. Scott Walker got his second goal of the exhibition season from off the right post, set up by a pass from Donald Brashear.

The fans who fancy fights finally got a wimpy go-round between the Kings' Matt Johnson and Vancouver's Brashear at 2:22 of the third period. Seconds later, at 3:06, the Kings' Ian Laperierre and the Canucks' Dave Scatchard got into a better tiff.

It seemed to fire up the Kings. Or at least Yanie Perrault. He came up with a loose puck in the Vancouver end and scored, top shelf, from the slot.

However, Messier, from deep in the slot off a brilliant pass from Bure, pretty much finished off the Kings at 15:15 with a clean goal.

Pavel had two breakaways during the game, grazing the inside of the post on one of the attempts.

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Pavel Bure remains in Vancouver, as NY Rangers jet out of town.

The New York Rangers left GM Place Saturday night and hopped on a plane Sunday morning to fly to Calgary.

Vancouver Canucks fans will be relieved to know that Pavel Bure wasn't on the flight.

It's the biggest Canucks rumor of the preseason. Bure apparently wants out of Vancouver, and late this week reports in New York said the Rangers were working on an offer that would make Madison Square Garden the Russian Rocket's launching pad.

"No," said Rangers president/general manager Neil Smith when he was asked if he'd talked to Canucks counterpart Pat Quinn about a swap.

"I think, maybe, Pavel expressed an interest in playing in New York and the media there made an issue of it. But the two principals, Pat Quinn and Neil Smith haven't talked.

"I can't comment on Pavel because he's a Canuck and I've had no discussions with Pat. I don't know if we will discuss anything."

Wayne Gretzky was queried on the subject after an afternoon skate.

"Obviously, Neil stepped up to the plate and made a big offer to (Colorado Group 2 free agent) Sakic but that didn't happen.

"Where there's smoke there's a little bit of fire in these things."

Five New York papers sent reporters here for the game. They were busy pumping Bure for any sign that he might want to wake up in the city that never sleeps. The Rocket was cagey.

"I always like to play in New York," he said. "I have a lot of friends there but I have a lot of friends in Los Angeles, too."

Don't read too much into that. Bure says he has friends here, too. And he says he's thrilled by the chance to play with ex-Ranger Mark Messier.

He's going to make a huge difference," said Bure of Messier. "I'm really excited to play with him."

Bure, who mentioned he was hopeful the Canucks could get holdout countryman Alexander Mogilny signed, wouldn't discuss any of his conversations with Quinn.

"We talked about a lot of different stuff," he said of a recent meeting with Quinn. "It was a private conversation."

Messier, who surely didn't sign here just to see stars like Bure and Mogilny end up elsewhere, is having an effect on his preseason linemate.

"Obviously, I'd like to see him stay and be happy," said Messier. "Pavel's a great kid. He's a bit misunderstood. He wants to play and he wants to win. That's the main thing. I'm just trying to get to know him like any teammate."

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Pavel second star in losing effort

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

The New York Rangers spoiled former teammate Mark Messier's home debut with Vancouver on Saturday night, beating the Canucks 4-1 in an exhibition game. Pavel recorded half a dozen shots on goal, including a breakway, but failed to score.
The NY Rangers goalie,Jason Muzzatti, stopped all but one Vancouver shot on goal, in winning the first star selection for the game.

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19 September, 1997.

Bure and the Blueshirts are getting closer.

The handwriting on the wall has Pavel Bure in a Rangers uniform. Given repeated chances to squash the rumors about his interest in coming to New York, the Vancouver right wing again refused to convert the opportunity in Anaheim Wednesday night. His new agent, Mike Gillis, showed similar reluctance to smother the speculation brushfire yesterday.

There are a number of issues that involve contract matters and other things with the Vancouver Canucks, and those issues have to be resolved," said Gillis, who refused to specify the content of the issues but added he has made them clear to Vancouver GM Pat Quinn.

"Conversations (with Quinn) are scheduled to be imminent, and there is a clear priority to have the kind of conversations necessary to settle the issues," Gillis said. "I want to have the conversations as quickly as possible. I want to get these discussions underway."

Asked if his client had a no-trade clause, Gillis replied, "No, he doesn't have one."

Asked if Bure had submitted a list of cities to which he would like to be traded to, Gillis said, "No, the conversations haven't gone that far yet."

Yet? It's as though Bure is walking around with an open ticket to JFK in his pocket and he's just waiting to fill in the date of departure.

Yes, Bure has made lovely music with Mark Messier in Canuck workouts so far. And yes, Bure says, "Mark is one of the greatest players. He's great to play with, he's a great leader, so it's such an honor to play with him."

When asked if the honor of playing with Messier was enough to change his mind and squelch his desire to leave Vancouver a desire he reportedly made clear to Quinn a few weeks ago the rocket-fast Russian replied: "It's not a #39;yes' or a 'no.' It was my answer. I haven't changed my mind at all."

About leaving the Vancouver Canucks?

"You guys don't know, because it was a private conversation with Pat Quinn, so you guys don't know what we were talking about," Bure said after the Canucks' 5-0 loss to the Mighty Ducks in Anaheim Wednesday. "I just can tell you one thing: I haven't changed my mind, and I won't."

Rangers president manager Neil Smith is believed very interested in the right wing, even if his pressing need is at center. Smith needs Bure's speed and offensive skills and he has a wealth of numbers at defense, the position of Vancouver's sorriest weakness. Canucks rookie Mattias Ohlund is going to be a player, but after that, you're looking at Jyrkki Lumme, Grant Ledyard, Dave Babych, Adrian Aucoin, Dana Murzyn, Bret Hedican, rookie Brad Ference and 6-7 prospect Chris McAllister.

"New York? A nice city," Bure said in Anaheim. "I like to go there and visit. I've got lots of friends there. What else can I say? I'm working for the Canucks today, and that's where I belong for now."

For how much longer is anybody's guess.

The 26-year-old Bure has had several significant injuries, most recently a whiplash suffered March 3 that cost him the rest of last season. Knee reconstruction knocked Bure out of all but 15 games of the 1995-96 season, but Bure was flying on Messier's right Wednesday night in those very rare moments when Blaine Angus and Rob Shick weren't calling penalties.

Bure has two years, at $5.5 million and $5 million, remaining on the five-year, $24.5-million deal he signed after the Canucks went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. Apparently, there are other things in the contract which, if not corrected to Bure's satisfaction, might just bring him a lot closer to his New York friends.

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Pavel scores his first goal of the pre-season.

Owen Nolan scored twice and Marty McSorley had a goal and two assists as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 7-3, in their home exhibition opener.

Pavel scored a breakaway goal in the third period.
Mark Messier did not play in this game.

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Pavel plays first game with Messier

Vancouver Canucks lost 5-0 to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in an exhibition game tonite.
The Vancouver Canucks have two teams during the pre-season; one that just finished a couple of games in Alberta, the other playing two teams in California.
Killing off 12 penalties (due mainly to the two-man ref zero tolerance on interference), had the Canucks playing most of the night a man short, limiting the Bure-Messier line to only half a dozen five-on-five shifts.
Pavel did show a lot of jump, notching some shots on goal, but not scoring any.

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Pavel's brother changes his number as well.

At the start of training camp, VALERI BURE switched his jersey number from 18, which he has worn since his rookie campaign in 1994-95, to 20.
Last season, Pierre Sevigny, who was lost to free agency, wore number 20. Bure also signed a one-year contract on 28 August prior to the start of training camp.
In the Canadiens' first preseason game, Bure scored a 2nd period goal as the Canadiens went on to a 5-5 tie with the Toronto Maple Leafs. . .

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Bure in the new All-Star Game balloting.

The 1998 All-Star Game will for the first time feature a unique matchup of North Americans vs. the World, NHL and players' association officials announced today.

With NHL players set to participate in the Winter Olympics for the first time in history, the new All-Star format will will be comprised of top NHLers from the United States and Canada, with players from the rest of the world making up the opposition. The format replaces the more familiar East-West Conference matchups for this year.

As in recent years, when the Eastern/Wales Conference faced the Western/Campbell Conference, the starting lineups for the game will be determined by fan balloting, which begins on Oct. 15. After the fans have their say, the NHL's Hockey Operations Department will consult with senior general managers to select the remaining players for both sides.

As they did last year, fans will be able to cast their ballots online with nhl.com. The ballots will appear in October.

The change in format reflects in part the growing prominence of European players in the NHL. Players from nations outside North America last year made up 22.3% of all NHL'ers, a percentage that has grown dramatically over the last two decades. Just 10 years ago, for instance, only 7.7% of the players in the NHL were from Europe.

Europeans are now the second-largest group in the NHL behind Canadians (60.8%) and ahead of Americans (16.9%). Most of the players come from the Scandinavian countries, though a total of eight countries will be represented on the All-Star ballot.

"In this year of broadened international exposure for hockey and with so many great players in the League from both North America and so many other countries in the world, we are excited to bring these players together in Vancouver under such a unique All-Star format," said Steve Solomon, NHL Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in announcing the decision.

The 1998 NHL All Star game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 18 at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The game will be the centerpiece of a hockey-filled weekend that also includes the Heroes of Hockey Game, Norelco/NHL SuperSkills competition and Pinnalce/NHL FANtasy, an interactive festival that gives fans an opportunity to enjoy the experience of an NHL All-Star event.

"The Canucks hockey club and the city of Vancouver are proud and excited to be associated with the unprecedented All-Star event," added Pat Quinn, Canucks President and General Manager. "We look forward to joining our great fans at General Motors Place in enjoying what is sure to be an outstanding game."

There will be no shortage of ways for fans to cast ballots for the game. In addition to voting at NHL areans and through nhl.com, fans can also cast ballots at McDonald's restaurants in Canada and at Sears stores in the United States; as well as through inserts in national publications like Sports Illustrated, PowerPlay magazine and The Hockey News. Fans will also have the chance to enter a sweepstakes to win a new 1998 Dodge Durango, a trip for two to the 1999 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa, Fla., or Russell Athletic Merchandise.

A total of 102 players will appear on the ALl-Star Ballot, including six goaltenders, 12 centers, 15 defenseman and 18 wingers for each of the North American All-Stars and World All-Stars. At least two players from each of the NHL's 26 clubs will be represented on the ballot, including a league-high seven players from three clubs - the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, the Colorado Avalanche and the Phoenix Coyotes. The eight countries that will represented are the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and the Ukraine.

THE BALLOT

A list of players appearing on the NHL all-star ballot Oct. 15- Dec. 15 for the all-star game on Jan. 18 at GM Place.

NORTH AMERICA TEAM

GOALTENDERS

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Sean Burke, Carolina; Guy Hebert, Anaheim; Mike Richter, New York Rangers; Patrick Roy, Colorado; John Vanbiesbrouck, Florida.

DEFENCEMEN

Bryan Berard, New York Islanders; Rob Blake, Los Angeles; Ray Bourque, Boston; Chris Chelios, Chicago; Paul Coffey, Philadelphia; Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia; Derian Hatcher, Dallas; Kevin Hatcher, Pittsburgh; Brian Leetch, New York Rangers; Al MacInnis, St. Louis; Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey; Mathieu Schneider, Toronto; Scott Stevens, New Jersey; Gary Suter, Chicago; Darryl Sydor, Dallas.

CENTRES

Vincent Damphousse, Montreal; Doug Gilmour, New Jersey; Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers; Trevor Linden, Vancouver; Eric Lindros, Philadelphia; Mark Messier, Vancouver; Mike Modano, Dallas; Adam Oates, Washington; Jeremy Roenick, Phoenix; Joe Sakic, Colorado; Doug Weight, Edmonton; Steve Yzerman, Detroit.

WINGERS

Tony Amonte, Chicago; Dino Ciccarelli, Tampa Bay; Adam Deadmarsh, Colorado; Theoren Fleury, Calgary; Mike Gartner, Phoenix; Bill Guerin, New Jersey; Brett Hull, St. Louis; Paul Kariya, Anaheim; John LeClair, Philadelphia; Scott Mellanby, Florida; Owen Nolan, San Jose; Mark Recchi, Montreal; Geoff Sanderson, Carolina; Brendan Shanahan, Detroit; Ray Sheppard, Florida; Keith Tkachuk, Phoenix; Rick Tocchet, Phoenix; Pat Verbeek, Dallas.

WORLD TEAM

GOALTENDERS

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo; Arturs Irbe, Vancouver; Nikolai Khabibulin, Phoenix; Olaf Kolzig, Washington; Tommy Salo, New York Islanders, Mikhail Shtalenkov, Anaheim.

DEFENCEMEN

Viacheslav Fetisov, Detroit; Sergei Gonchar, Washington; Roman Hamrlik, Tampa Bay; Darius Kasparaitis, Pittsburgh; Uwe Krupp, Colorado; Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit; Jyrki Lumme, Vancouver; Dmitri Mironov, Anaheim; Janne Niinimaa, Philadelphia; Teppo Numminen, Phoenix; Sandis Ozolinsh, Colorado; Ulf Samuelsson, New York Rangers; Robert Svehla, Florida; Oleg Tverdovsky, Phoenix; Alexei Zhitnik, Buffalo.

CENTRES

Sergei Fedorov, Detroit; Peter Forsberg, Colorado; Bobby Holik, New Jersey; Saku Koivu, Montreal; Igor Larionov, Detroit; Petr Nedved, Pittsburgh; Michal Pivonka, Washington; Robert Reichel, New York Islanders; Jozef Stumpel, Los Angeles; Mats Sundin, Toronto; Alexei Yashin, Ottawa; Alexei Zhamnov, Chicago.

WINGERS

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa; Peter Bondra, Washington; Pavel Bure, Vancouver; Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh; Valeri Kaminsky, Colorado; Dimitri Khristich, Boston; Andrei Kovalenko, Edmonton; Alexei Kovalev, New York Rangers; Viktor Kozlov, San Jose; Vyacheslav Kozlov, Detroit; Jere Lehtinen, Dallas; Alexander Mogilny, Vancouver; Zigmund Palffy, New York Islanders; Mikael Renberg, Tampa Bay; Martin Rucinsky, Montreal; Teemu Selanne, Anaheim; Niklas Sundstrom, New York Rangers; German Titov, Calgary.

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Bure turns in stellar camp, doesn't let trade request affect play

WHISTLER, BC. -- As the Vancouver Canucks ended their training camp Sunday, not one game that counts had been played. But that doesn't mean there weren't still winners from the five days of scrimmages and practices.

Winning is what training camp is all about -- winning recognition, winning respect and winning a spot on the roster.

Among veterans, the winners included forward Pavel Bure, who did not allow his desire to be traded affect his play and was probably the best Canuck in Whistler.

Bure was one of the biggest surprises at training camp. Considering his meeting with Pat Quinn last month, when he expressed his unhappiness about being in Vancouver, many expected Bure to loaf or sulk in Whistler. Instead, he dominated.

Bure took strength and conditioning coach Peter Twist's award as the best-conditioned player in the organization, no small feat given his numerous injuries the last two seasons. He was also the leading scorer in intra-camp scrimmages, netting four goals.

"I've gotten used to having this kind of attention and my job is to concentrate on hockey," Bure said, referring to constant questions about his future. "I'm having lots of fun. I've had too many injuries or things bothering me [the last two years]."

Unhappy or not, Bure showed he is still an elite, dynamic player, although his agent, Mike Gillis, has not ruled out a holdout should Bure and the Canucks be unable to settle their differences.

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Bure talks go nowhere

Bure's agent has a chat with GM Quinn.

WHISTLER, BC-- Pavel Bure's new representative hinted the Russian Rocket could still walk out on the NHL club in the coming weeks.

Bure's new agent, Mike Gillis, slipped in and out of Whistler after meeting with the disgruntled Russian.

Gillis did not return a call to the Vancouver Sun but told radio reporter Ron Barnet Friday that he had spoken with Canuck GM Pat Quinn and that there were issues to resolve -- money owed perhaps? -- before the season begins.

When asked if Bure might eventually withhold services, Gillis said draw your own conclusions.

Bure himself said "nothing has changed" and that he was leaving matters in Gillis' hands.

"That's why I have Mike," Bure said. "He's a lawyer and a really smart guy. He's an ex-player and I think that helps a lot."

On the ice, Bure was the star of Friday's scrimmage as he scored three times in his team's 6-4 victory and admitted to actually enjoying himself.

"It's nice to score goals in practice but the most important thing is I had lots of fun," Bure said.

His centre, Mark Messier, says he intends to make sure Bure continues to have fun and perhaps change his outlook on playing in Vancouver.

"We're working on it," Messier smiled. "I think Pavel is enjoying himself. Hockey has to be fun and we're going to assure him it's going to be lots of fun here. And the best way to bring on the fun is to win."

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Canucks' camp: Rocket chemistry

Bure, Messier hit it off, but Pavel may still jet out of here

WHISTLER, BC -- Mark Messier christened his opening day as a Vancouver Canuck in style on Wednesday.

Messier and linemates Pavel Bure and Markus Naslund entertained the near full house at Meadow Park Sports Centre in the first scrimmage of Canucks training camp.

None of the trio scored and their Team B lost the exuberant affair 2-1 to Team C, but the three skilled speedsters simply moved the puck at a different level and created enough offensive chances to make any coach or GM happy.

"Both of those guys are unbelievably skilled and I've been around long enough to sense some great chemistry right away," said Messier.

"You could see it right from the start of the scrimmage. That doesn't happen often, sometimes styles don't mix, but with Pavel and Markus there was great chemistry right from the get-go."

GM Pat Quinn said watching Messier glide around with the Canucks' new Free Willy logo on his chest was something he's been looking forward to since the club signed the ex-New York Rangers captain to a three-year, $20-million-US deal at the end of July.

"I've been enjoying the thought of Mark being with us for a couple of months now," said Quinn. "The first vision of him out there, he looked pretty good. I wish we could start tomorrow. I'm just looking forward to him helping us become a better team."

The only thing wrong with what should be a rosy picture is the uncertainty surrounding Bure's future with the team.

Bure says his neck is pain free -- and unintentionally gave it a good test seconds into the first shift when Dave Scatchard sent him flying with a hard check -- but the question is whether he'll be around to play with the other two when the season rolls around.

Bure said all the right things about how much fun it was playing with Messier and Naslund, but when asked if there was a chance the feelings he expressed in his reported "trade-me" meeting with Quinn two weeks ago could change, his terse reply was: "No."

Messier said the questions surrounding Bure's desire to stay in Vancouver haven't bothered him.

"No, I'm not concerned about it," said Messier, whose dressing room stall here is beside Bure's. "I talked to Pavel today. He's happy, he seems like a great kid. I don't think there's any denying what he can do for the team. He's shown it.

"He's had a tough couple of years. I think more than anybody he wants to bounce back and have a great year."

While not commenting on whether Bure has requested a trade, Quinn did say there hasn't been much apparent interest in the Russian by other teams.

"With all the brouhaha that went on as the stories that were written went around the country, there hasn't been a whole abundance of calls about Pavel at this point," said Quinn.

"I don't know the reason. I think a lot of people think -- if he's available -- and see that he's one of the highest-paid players in the game and if he can't perform at the level that brought him the contract, who wants to take it."

The highly charged scrimmage provided more than the expected share of highlights, with lots of body contact and a huge hit by rookie Mattias Ohlund on Scatchard about two minutes after Scatchard had levelled Bure.

Big Chris McAllister took the decision in the only fight, with minor-league teammate Larry Courville.

Scatchard, Lonny Bohonos and David Roberts -- who scored the goals for Team C -- were also strong performers.

Ohlund had the Team B goal.

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Quinn wants Bure to stay put

Bure says he hasn't changed from his earlier position of asking for a trade elsewhere.

WHISTLER -- Vancouver Canuck general manager Pat Quinn and unhappy player Pavel Bure stuck to their guns Wednesday. In Quinn's case, at least people know which way it's pointing.

Two weeks after news broke that Bure met with Quinn and suggested he be traded, the Canuck boss said his intent is to retain his troubled star and do everything he can to help him be happy in Vancouver.

Unmoved by Quinn's pledge, Bure said his feelings haven't changed since their August meeting, although -- typically -- he refused to say what those feelings are. Bure, however, was adamant that it is impossible his feelings could change.

Although Quinn denies the team's former poster boy asked for a trade and Bure won't even discuss it, the player's father and ex-agents confirmed the 26-year-old Russian wants to be traded.

And since Bure's position hasn't changed, he and the Canucks may be headed for a showdown given Quinn's stated desire to keep Bure.

The issue clouded what was an entertaining opening day of training camp. Bure looked good on a line with Mark Messier and Markus Naslund and there were several thunderous bodychecks delivered at Meadow Park Sports Centre.

"Our intention is to have him play here and return to the form we've seen him play," Quinn told reporters after the noon intra-camp scrimmage. "He's here, and he looked pretty good this morning. He's here to play hockey. Things that may or may not happen are speculative and not worth talking about.

"People get unhappy. People get discouraged. People get frustrated. There are lots of ways us out with our playoff drive last year, and he couldn't. I think that hurt him emotionally and so you have to rebuild that. It's not always easy, but that's where we as members of his team have to help him."

Bure, meeting with reporters a few minutes after Quinn's media scrum, defended his right not to share details about his one-on-one meeting with his boss.

"It was a private meeting; you don't have to share with everybody," he said. "I can understand why people want to know. Maybe I want to know about other people, but it's a private thing. I don't ask you where you're going or what you're going to do."

Bure's position is almost farcical, given the public admissions of his former handlers. When asked if anything had changed in his feelings since he met with Quinn, Bure answered "no." Asked if it were possible anything could change, Bure again answered "no."

According to insiders, one thing is clear: Bure's unhappiness is based at least as much on his personal life as his professional one. Bure is not especially close to any of his teammates besides Gino Odjick. And recent weeks have seen the breakdown in Bure's personal relationships, including with his father, Vladimir.

Canuck coach Tom Renney said he spoke with Bure several times last season about problems "not just to do with hockey," and Quinn seemed Wednesday to allude to off-ice concerns of Bure when he said: "Some players don't open the door to accept help and others do.

"We all know Pavel is a very independent guy and has walked his own way. Our intention here is to get him back on track."

Whether Bure needs help or not, he feels his situation is not detrimental to teammates, although some, including captain Trevor Linden, have expressed disappointment about Bure's timing.

The mood within the Canucks has been soured the last two seasons by unhappy players -- Jeff Brown, Roman Oksiuta, Esa Tikkanen, Russ Courtnall -- remaining in the dressing room long after their discontent began affecting others. Quinn, however, gave no indication Wednesday that a trade could happen soon -- even if he decided to move Bure.

"What with the brouhaha that went on and the stories [about Bure] that travel quick, there hasn't been a whole abundance of calls about Pavel to this point," Quinn said of interest from other general managers. "I don't know what the reason is. A lot of times that [news reports] would spur people at least to inquire."

Quinn said Bure's 1997-98 salary of $5.5 million US and his history of injuries may be dissuading teams from asking about him.

After skating with Bure in the first scrimmage of training camp, Messier said he expects his new teammate to stay with the Canucks.

"I talked to Pavel today and he seems to be a great kid," Messier said. "I don't think there's any denying what he could do for the team. More than anyone, he wants to bounce back and have a great year."

Bure certainly didn't seem to be loafing through the scrimmage. His line was easily the most entertaining on day one. and Bure and Messier combined several times on beautiful passing plays and high-speed rushes.

Bure even delivered a firm check to Dave Scatchard, pay back for a crushing blow the Canuck farmhand delivered on the opening shift.

"For 26 teams, this is the first day in a quest to win the Stanley Cup," Messier said.

"Today we started on that journey. It's a long, gruelling, hard, tedious way. . . but it has to start somewhere. We're not here to play well or make the playoffs; we're here to win the Stanley Cup."

ICE CHIPS -- The Bure-Messier squad, Team B, lost 2-1 to Team C, which has several of the Canuck grinders and got superb goaltending from Arturs Irbe.

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Tony Gallagher: Rocket still on launchpad

Tkachuk rumor is latest deal wrinkle

Pat Quinn has a reputation around the NHL for a deliberate pace but in his attempts to move Pavel Bure, there are some mitigating circumstances.

One is clearly Bure's health, but even more of an obstruction in the last few days has been the Phoenix Coyotes' decision to explore the trade market for their big power winger Keith Tkachuk. And whether the latest rumors, which have Alexei Kovalev, Alexander Karpovtsev and conditional picks coming to Vancouver from the Rangers for Bure are right, the Tkachuk situation remains intriguing.

Tkachuk, the big Bostonian is unhappy with his contract and wants more money, which is hardly unusual these days. Given the fact he shares the spotlight particularly well with Jeremy Roenick, the Coyotes have put out the word they might be willing -- for the right deal -- to move the man who virtually won the World Cup for the Americans at this time last year.

Just about every team in hockey would be interested if they go ahead. Thus, Quinn just might find himself on hold until the Coyotes do their business or get off the pot.

The most likely destination for Tkachuk, if and when he should move, would be the east coast, where he'd love to be.

Washington and the Islanders are in the best position to put together an attractive package, given they have an abundance of young players in their organizations.

Both teams also would like to make a big p.r. hit to kick-start interest in their underachieving clubs and landing a high-profile American player is not a bad way to go about it. But the Canucks shouldn't be ruled entirely out of the sweepstakes.

For one thing, Bure would probably do well on the same line with Roenick. The speed would be awesome. And while the Coyotes would want a good deal more than just the Russian Rocket, clearly such a deal would have to be at least considered in Arizona.

The rub for the Canucks of course is that Lucien Bouchard is more likely to run for the leadership of the federal Liberals than Tkachuk is to report to a Canadian team.

But still the deal would have potential. If the Canucks were to get his rights, he would be infinitely easier to trade than would Bure and there is always the remote chance that some of the John McCaw charm -- read money -- might rub off and change his mind in much the same way Mark Messier was persuaded to come back to Canada.

Another possible destination for Tkachuk is Chicago -- the Hawks tried to sign him before the Coyotes moved from Winnipeg when he was a Group 2 free agent two years ago.

Phoenix would like to reunite Roenick with Tony Amonte, the difficulty being the Hawks likely don't feel they can part with such a star, the only shining light in their disappointing season last year.

There is yet another complication in the Bure deal as well. The Russian has a clause in his contract that calls for him to be paid the average of the top seven forwards in the NHL, excluding Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Had he enjoyed higher point totals, his contract would have called for him to be paid the average of the top two or three forwards but given his injuries, those clauses are now beside the point, at least for this season.

With Messier, Joe Sakic, Paul Kariya, Jaromir Jagr, Brett Hull, Sergei Fedorov, Eric Lindros, Peter Forsberg and perhaps even Mike Modano, Alex Mogilny and Tkachuk all possibilities to meet or surpass Bure if their entire packages are considered, the Rocket could end up with a raise on his stipend which this year calls for him to make $5 million US.

So not only don't GMs know what type of player they'll be getting, they don't know for certain how much they're going to have to pay him. If seven forwards pass him, he gets the average, which would likely put him up a million or so.

Quinn's job of moving Bure will not be easy and ultimately it may not be held up by the Tkachuk decision.

But it must be done. Leaving Bure here for all the same old problems to fester would be disastrous for the team, Bure and the NHL.

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Bure back, feels 'great' going to camp.

Pavel Bure is back in town, returning phone calls and wondering why everyone else is wondering if he'll be at the Vancouver Canucks' training camp on Tuesday.

"Sure I'm going to be there, why not?" said the Russian Rocket on Sunday. "I went away for a few days and I just got back. I feel really fine, I feel great and I hope it's a big season for the team."

Bure said he was not in Europe, as reported, but down in the Los Angeles area. He seemed surprised when told of the many stories detailing his trade request, the rift with his father, the firing of his agents and the questioning of his commitment to Vancouver and the Canuck organization.

He claims he didn't "fire" his father Vladimir but would not discuss any aspect of their relationship. He also would not discuss his widely reported desire for a trade and "fresh start." However, he was more than happy to discuss the arrival of Mark Messier and the season ahead.

"So many good things are going to happen this year," Bure said, almost sounding like someone planning to be here.

"We are going to Japan to open the season, the all-star game is in Vancouver and having Mark, he will definitely make a difference.

"He is not just a great hockey player but he's also a great leader."

Told that Messier wanted him on the team, but only in the right frame of mind, the 26-year-old Bure said he would be delighted to sit down with the 36-year-old Moose and chat about life.

"I think that any player in the NHL would be proud to talk to Mark Messier," responded Bure. "He wants to know what is happening on the inside of the team. I just remember him in the 1994 playoffs against New Jersey. He promised his team would win and then he scored a hat trick. You have to be super confident to say those things - I know I wouldn't - but he's got six Stanley Cups and he can do it."

Despite the inner turmoil Bure has seemingly faced in recent weeks, he said he has not lost his desire to play.

"It's nice to win," said the Russian Rocket, "and it's nice to play well. But the real reason we play hockey is beacuse we love the game."

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Don Cherry: Pavel's fair-weather friends

I can't believe the headline about Pavel Bure: Rich Snotty Kid. How the mighty have fallen.

Pavel owned Vancouver a few years ago, remember? I had one of the Vancouver wives almost attack me on the way out of the Pacific Coliseum because I said something about Pavel, and my good buddy Pat Quinn said he felt like punching me because I said he was held up by Pavel on a contract.

I wonder what they think now?

Pavel is being ripped on all sides for looking after No. 1. He knows Mark Messier is the guy now in Vancouver, not him. He wants a new scene, as they say. It's nothing against Vancouver but Pavel's in a rut. He needs something to snap him out of it.

Pavel wants to go to the States -- don't they all, considering the taxes -- and who can blame him? The injuries are piling up. A change of scenery is what Pavel needs, a fresh start -- so lay off the guy.

Pavel gave you some beauty years and he's paid the price. Sure he's making good dough but he always gave 100 per cent, not like a lot of guys who make the big ticket. He's a little guy who never backed down.

The only time I had a problem with Pavel was when he kicked the feet out from under Keith Tkachuk and now that I think of it, that took a lot of guts to do that to a guy like Tkachuk.

Yes, he'd be a hit in the Big Apple. Good luck, Pavel. All your fair-weather friends have deserted you. Now you know who your real friends are.

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Mark Messier's comments on Pavel

Messier said he doesn't have the facts of the Pavel Bure 'trade me' controversy, but he hopes it can worked out.

"I don't know Pavel and I haven't talked to him about it, but there are only a few special players like that in the league. I've won six Stanley Cups and you have to have the talent. But players have to feel comfortable with their environment. It's too long a season if your heart's not there ... It's a two-way street. A team makes a certain commitment to a player and wants to feel it will be given back."

It will be intriguing to see if Messier can have any effect on flaky Russians Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny, providing they ever show up. Bure wants a trade and Mogilny wants a lucrative new contract. Bure figures to at least be at camp after telling several members of the team he would see them there.

"There are only a handful of guys in the league with their talent and Vancouver is fortunate enough to have both of them," Messier said. "When I was going to sign here, they were two of the attractions and to have them both here on the team is really important. But from their standpoint, they have to be happy. It's a long enough season as it is without being unhappy or feeling you want to go somewhere else. Hopefully, they can get themselves mentally prepared."

Messier said he was contemplating seeking out Bure to discover the depth of the mysterious Russian's despair. Until then, he wouldn't rush to judgment.

"I don't know whether he did or didn't demand a trade," Messier continued. "There's a lot of speculation and I've read five different accounts of what's happened. But I haven't had a chance to talk to Pavel at all so, until I talk to him personally, I'm not going to believe anything I hear. He's proven he can play the kind of hockey that's necessary for a team to win a championship."

As he spoke, the recent words of Oiler GM Glen Sather seemed to echo ghost-like through the 8-Rinks facility. Said Sather at the time Messier became a Canuck: "Mark will make those Russians dance."

And maybe he will

Pavel Bure was expected back in Vancouver Thursday after a brief trip to Europe, presumably to clear his head.

Canuck vice-president Steve Tambellini said he expected the Russian Rocket to be at training camp.

"I haven't heard anything to say he won't be there," said Tambellini.

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Bure to miss 'special year'

While the Russian Rocket's latest vapor trail sighting was in Geneva, there is still considerable discussion of Pavel Bure's trade request among Vancouver Canucks players.

"Most of the guys kind of wonder why," said left winger Martin Gelinas following an informal skate at Burnaby 8-Rinks on Wednesday.

"Obviously, it's not the money. The sad thing is he's going to miss a pretty special year here. I feel sorry for Pavel not to realize that."

Gelinas said he hopes GM Pat Quinn can accommodate Bure's wish to be moved sooner than later.

"It's a disappointment," said Gelinas. "He's a great athlete, but the feeling I have is that if he doesn't want to be here, then let him go. We want 25 guys going to training camp who want to be here."

Canucks captain Trevor Linden said the timing of Bure's trade request has put the whole organization in a difficult position.

"I was disappointed with the timing," said Linden. "With two weeks to go to camp it puts the club in a tough spot. There isn't a whole lot of time to resolve it."

Training camp opens Tuesday, but there's still no guarantee Bure will be there, although to sit out would seemingly hurt him more than anything else.

No one in Bure's camp returned The Province's phone calls on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, it appears the Chicago Blackhawks' interest in Bure may have lessened since St. Louis GM Larry Pleau started shopping sniper Brett Hull.

The Blackhawks are believed to be interested in the Golden Brett, which could put the Rocket on the back burner.>

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Bure's dad admits rift with son

"Yes, I'm upset, it is not the happiest time of my life," said the elder Bure, who acted as Pavel's personal trainer until being fired last Friday along with agents Ron Salcer and Serge Levin. "I don't know what's happening in Pavel's brain. He is my baby but I understand he's 26 and he has to make decisions by himself."

Vladimir Bure declined to elaborate on the "philosophical" problems with Pavel, other than to say Pavel began disputing his rigorous training program and balking at two-a-day workouts.

"He wanted to do his two [training] practices together and I don't agree with this," said Vladimir, 47. "Two practices is more productive. My No. 1 rule is the coach is always right. I had the same rule when I was swimming and my father was my coach. Pavel tried to change something and I didn't like it."

Vladimir Bure, who swam in two Olympics for the old Soviet Union, said he doesn't know precisely what Pavel told Canuck general manager Pat Quinn in the now famous trade-request meeting. But he did concede his son wants a change.

"Pavel needs fresh blood," continued Vladimir Bure. "With Mark Messier coming here, it could be the same as fresh blood but who knows? If Pavel would play with Messier, maybe he could score again like he did. I would say he'll be back for training camp but I really don't know. In my last conversation with him, he said he was still ready to play for the Canucks as much as he can."

Vladimir Bure said his life in Vancouver will go on with or without Pavel. Divorced from Pavel's mother, Vladimir re-married four years ago and has a Canadian-born daughter, Katia, who is two. He also has an interest in Little Moscow, an assembly hall type restaurant that will cater private functions for Vancouver's Russian community.

"I feel fine," Vladimir Bure said. "I did what every father dreams -- to work with my baby. In the beginning, it was a crazy dream. I dreamed how to make him an Olympic champion and the best athlete in the world. Then he became the best hockey player in Russia and we came here to North America and I tried to support him."

The firm hand of Vladimir Bure first became apparent six years ago when the father and his two sons, Pavel and Valeri, arrived in North America. During a photo shoot in the Los Angeles area, Vladimir slapped Pavel across the face when he felt his son was being uncooperative.

The incident eventually drifted to the background and Vladimir began to receive acclaim for his ability to train Pavel, who was annually the team's best conditioned athlete.

Three years ago, Vladimir was put on the Canuck payroll as Pavel's personal trainer. Now the relationship, both professionally and personally, has ended for now.

"It doesn't matter what Pavel does," concluded Vladimir Bure. "He is still my son."

Meanwhile, the fired Salcer said he holds "no bitterness" at being sacked by Pavel. Salcer was also cashiered by Valeri Bure, who plays for the Montreal Canadiens.

"I don't quite understand any of this but it's Pavel choice," said Salcer, the negotiator of Bure's sensational $24.5 million US contract. "All I can tell you is that I got a phone call from his father telling me that he had been fired and then Pavel fired me. If this is how he feels, I can't control it. I'll continue to enjoy the clients I do have and, in some kind of way, I'm relieved."

Gino Odjick, Pavel's closest friend on the Canucks, declined to comment Wednesday, saying he needed to talk to Bure first.

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Bure turfs father, agents

Russian Rocket hires Mike Gillis to resurrect his faltering hockey career.

In an obvious effort to cleanse himself of all things past, Vancouver Canuck winger Pavel Bure has apparently fired his father Vladimir as his personal trainer and confidante.

The news that the Bures have split coincides with the Russian Rocket canning his two Los Angeles-based agents, Ron Salcer and Serge Levin, last weekend. Bure subsequently hired Mike Gillis, who represents ex-Canucks Geoff and Russ Courtnall, as his new advisor.

Neither Salcer nor Levin returned calls Tuesday but Levin's associate, one-time L.A. King Victor Nechaev, confirmed the Bures are no longer a tandem.

"Pavel has broken up with his father," Nechaev said.

Nechaev said that Salcer and Levin were "very upset" with the manner in which they were relieved of their duties. Salcer received a letter late Friday informing him of the news while Levin received nothing.

"Pavel called Serge Friday morning and he never mentioned anything," said Nechaev. "Pavel didn't tell his mother or his brother. This is like a soap opera. Of course, we are all very upset. We brought Pavel over here in 1991. It's not just like he was a client, we were like friends. But after he signed his big contract three years ago, he changed "

Neither Pavel nor Vladimir Bure could be reached for comment Tuesday. The elder Bure is preparing to open a restaurant in Vancouver called Little Moscow.

Gillis, meanwhile, said he has been retained to resurrect Bure's faltering career. The Russian has scored just 49 goals the last three seasons due to injury, attitude and the league's labor problems. The three seasons previous , Bure collected 154 goals -- twice hitting the 60-goal mark -- and led the league in 1993-94. He then signed a five-year deal worth $24.5 million US.

Bure is scheduled to make $5.5 million US this season and $5 million US next season.

"I got a call from Pavel and, yes, I was very much surprised," said Gillis. "He's looking for help to get his career back on track and whether it's in Vancouver or elsewhere I don't know."

Gillis said Bure was not confused and seemed to know precisely the course of action he was taking.

Asked if Bure's top priority was a trade, Gillis replied: "I can't answer that. First and foremost, we have to think about how to get his career back on target. We have to talk to the Canucks and find out what they want to do and go from there."

Asked if Bure would be at Vancouver's training camp next week, Gillis said: "I can't answer that.

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Tony Gallagher: Bure shuffles agents

Normally when an NHL player gongs his agent and moves to another representative, it hardly generates much interest.

But given Pavel Bure has just fired Ron Salcer and his Russian-speaking former partner Serge Levin, it may raise the odd eyebrow here in Vancouver, the town the Russian Rocket has wanted to escape for a long while now.

Bure has gone to Europe for a few days vacation before training camp starts and wasn't available to comment on his move. Neither was Salcer, but it is known the two had something of a confrontation recently.

Bure has retained Queens University law professor and former NHL player Mike Gillis to represent him. The Kingston, Ont., agent for Markus Naslund is aligned with David Poile, John Muckler and Bob Gainey in that all of them recently turned down offers to run the Toronto Maple Leafs under Ken Dryden.

The falling out with Salcer may have been over strategy in bringing about a change in scenery, but Bure has not been overly thrilled with his representation for at least a year -- and with some justification.

While Bure could certainly not criticize the size of the contract Salcer was able to get from former owner Arthur Griffiths after prolonged and brutally costly foot-dragging on the part of GM Pat Quinn, there are a couple of other issues which vexed the relationship. Not the least of which is the money the Canucks likely still owe the Russian from the lockout. Bure and Salcer both maintained the club had to pay the player the $1.7 million US, which accrued during the work stoppage. Not surprisingly, the club disagreed and we were all told at the time of the dispute resolution that the money would be put into escrow, the results to be determined later.

It was supposed to be handled by the NHL Players Association because nearly 25 players had contracts they claim guaranteed them payment for the October, 1994, to January, 1995, period in question but Bob Goodenow's team of lawyers have produced nothing but league-induced delays on the issue since '94.

Of particular amusement in this agent-firing case is the fact Bure's contract calls for the Canucks to pay Salcer his fee directly on a per-year basis. Clearly, the old Brian Burke regime would have considered cutting off Salcer once the Bure trade is completed, arguing the new club is responsible for said payments. Whether this issue or the money and interest monies from the lockout dispute come into play in the trade discussions remains to be seen.

In trading Bure, the club presumably will also be trading father Vladimir, who is being paid to be Pavel's personal trainer. And while only Quinn can determine exactly when a deal will be consummated, it's likely the GM's deliberations will not last past Oct. 30.

That's the day Bure's final signing bonus payment of $500,000 US is due and presumably the team that owns his rights at that time will be responsible for that payment -- although this could be open to negotiation.

The New York Rangers are clearly in the best position to maximize a Bure acquisition. Given the player's marketing rights belong to the club, the Madison Avenue types would be able to generate much more than any other squad.

Clearly, the Canucks have been able to do very little in revenue generation with Bure's rights since '94. They were handicapped by his retiring personality at first and his injuries later, but the Rangers would be in good position if they can find the right player package to please Quinn.

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The Truth About Pavel Bure

Earl: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Tom: "I do."

Earl: "Why should any hockey fan believe anything you say? They all know that you are just about the biggest Pavel Bure fan around. You make some outrageous claims in this column, and you are biased."

Tom: "I don't expect anyone to believe me. They won't. This is merely for the record. I have been watching hockey for 40 years. I have seen half the games Pavel Bure has ever played. I have seen every playoff game he has ever played. I have listened to every other game he has played. I have read almost everything ever written about Pavel Bure. I know hockey, and I know Pavel Bure, the hockey player. I don't know Pavel Bure, the person."

Earl: "Tell me about Pavel Bure, the hockey player."

Tom: "He is a fabulous player. Dazzling. After 40 years of watching the game, I cannot name 20 better players. Never mind the talent. After 40 years of watching the game, I cannot name 20 hockey players with a better attitude. Nobody in the NHL comes to training camp in better condition or better prepared for the season. Nobody in the NHL works harder. He has grit and determination and he is a wonderful team player. His last two seasons have been ruined by injury, but he is healthy now."

Earl: "But..."

Tom: "The rest is media lies. There is even an urban legend about him."

Earl: "An urban legend? Like the little old lady who gave her cat a bath and decided to dry the cat in the microwave oven?"

Tom: "Yes. That never happened, although it was reported in the papers, and many people believe it. The legend about Bure is that he told the Vancouver Canucks in 1994 he would not play in the Stanley Cup Final unless they caved in to his demands for more money. According to legend, the Canucks did, because several weeks after the season the team gave him what he deserved. One of the richest contracts in NHL history. He deserved it."

Earl: "How do you know this never happened?"

Tom: "It happened, supposedly, in 1994. That isn't that long ago. All of the newspapers on file. Find anything, anywhere, anybody, in a newspaper that said it actually happened. Never has this story had a source, not even an incredible one. Not one source. It is a lie. As far as I am aware -- and I have looked very hard to find the source of this legend -- only one person before 1997 ever claimed it was true. Don Cherry did on a CBC television program I saw with my own eyes. The CBC announcer, who knew this was a lie, immediately distanced himself from Cherry, and said that the story was not true."

Earl: "Cherry claimed that where there was smoke, there must be a fire, didn't he? What smoke was he talking about if it was never reported?"

Tom: "Reporters must talk about it all the time in the bar. But it doesn't matter. Because the CBC is one of the few responsible news agencies remaining in the world, they ripped out the planned second period intermission schedule, and gave ten minutes of national television time to Pat Quinn, the General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks. He flatly called the story a lie."

Earl: "Pat Quinn would not admit the story even if it was true."

Tom: "Yes, but that does not mean the story is true. And there is no one who saw the interview that had the slightest doubt that he was speaking the truth. He was so angry he could hardly contain himself. He said it was a lie. He said he was an eyewitness. He was there, and it never happened. He said he had seldom met a finer young man than Pavel Bure, and it was a terrible, terrible lie to make up about a fine young man. He said if anybody wanted to repeat the lie to his face, he would meet them in any alley in the world. He made Don Cherry shut up because Don Cherry knew Quinn was speaking the truth. Unfortunately, the only irresponsible media person in the world who believed him was Don Cherry."

Earl: "Has Pavel Bure demanded a trade?"

Tom: "Yes I believe so, although the reporter who broke the story is a liar. His name is Tony Gallagher, a well respected hockey writer. He is a liar."

Earl: "He could probably sue you for saying that."

Tom: "I wish. When he broke the Bure trade story, he repeated the urban legend and called it well documented. I call that a lie. This person is supposed to be a journalist and the Vancouver Province is supposed to be a newspaper. Liar, Liar pants on fire. Sue me, Gallagher. Go ahead, you liar."

Earl: "Why did Bure demand a trade?"

Tom: "I'm under oath here, right? I don't know."

Earl: "Why do you think he demanded a trade?"

Tom: "He wants to start over again, where maybe the local reporters won't spread hurtful lies about him. Aside from the legend, there are many, many other lies out there. These lies spread across North America because the media in New York trusts the Vancouver media to be telling the truth, when in fact they are liars."

Earl: "Liars? More than one?"

Tom: "Yes. They are a pack who all say the same things about everything. To one degree or another they all spread the lies. Elliot Pap in the Vancouver Sun can also sue me if he wants. In his Bure story he reported the legend as fact. He is a liar. The Vancouver Sun! This is not a tabloid. This is a major, well-respected, Canadian newspaper. They have a liar for a hockey writer."

Earl: "But wherever Bure goes, the lies will follow."

Tom: "Yes, but his agent will ask for a fresh start. 'Forget all you have read,' he will say. This is the new mature Pavel Bure. He will be sold very easily. The new Richard Nixon sold, remember? He will be the same old Bure, and everyone will be dazzled."

Earl: "It might work."

Tom: "I hope for his sake it does. But he is running from the paparazzi like Princess Di was running from the paparazzi. Did you know that the word paparazzi literally means sewer rat? Tony Gallagher and Elliot Paparazzi. Go ahead, guys, sue me."

Earl: "I want to remind you that you are under oath here."

Tom: "Here is a challenge I offer to any hockey writer in North America who believes the urban legend. I will pay you $1,000 if you will stand up at a Pat Quinn press conference and ask him to explain the coast to coast lie he told on CBC television. Either Pat Quinn is a liar or Tony Gallagher and Elliot Pap are liars. Let us get to the bottom of it. I believe that Gallagher and Pap, two well known and respected hockey writers, are liars."

Earl: "Why would they lie?"

Tom: "Who knows? I don't care. When Pavel Bure escaped from the Soviet Union he landed in Vancouver as a frightened 20 year old boy who spoke no English. He was realizing a dream. He was made rich beyond his dreams. The only problem was that the Vancouver media believed the myth about Russian players -- Canadians are terribly ethnocentric about hockey, I am ashamed to admit -- and blasted him with the white hot media klieg lights. Bure was caught, frozen like a defenseless frightened deer. It has been downhill ever since. He has done absolutely nothing wrong except have two consecutive seasons ruined by injury. He is tired of it and wants out. I don't blame him."

Earl: "So how do you feel about it? About the Canucks? About the season? About Bure?

Tom: "My heart is broken. I have loved hockey for as long as I can remember. I am finding it very difficult to care any more. A season we all looked forward to has been destroyed before it started. All because the media pack in Vancouver is full of lying paparazzi. Sewer rats. Go ahead guys, sue me."

Earl: "Anything else?"

Tom: "Yes. I want to know where the real journalists are on this issue. I want to hear from Roy McGregor. Roy McGregor is the best hockey writer I have ever read. I am sorry to put you in this spot, Roy, but I want you to call Tony Gallagher a liar. I want a real journalist, one who has some ethics -- in hockey or out of it -- to investigate the Vancouver hockey media. I want those white hot klieg lights on them. I want to hear from the CBC."

Earl: "Is that it?"

Tom: "No. I want to hear from Gary Bettman and Brian Burke and the NHL. I want to hear a chorus from General Managers around the NHL. They all know Pavel Bure. They have an obligation to help Pat Quinn defend this man. Forget hockey. This is not right, and they have the power to fix it."

Earl: "Any advice for Quinn?"

Tom: "He is in a Catch 22. Whenever he complains about the coverage, the pack says he is shooting the messenger. The worst part is that he understands Pavel. He is going to accomodate Bure and trade one of the most valuable commodities in the NHL because he is a fine young man who has been very fair with him. Pavel Bure has done every single thing Pat Quinn has asked of him, and he wants out.

"What can Pat Quinn do if he is a fair man? He will trade Pavel Bure, sooner or later, even though it means he will go down in history as the idiot who traded Bure. He will do it because he is fair, and because Pavel deserves a fresh start. We don't want to have to put a soft floater who never backchecks into the Hall of Fame, do we? If he stays in Vancouver, we will. Wouldn't that be amazing?"

Earl: "That isn't advice."

Tom: "I would call a real press conference. I would invite real journalists. I would put Tom Renney and Trevor Linden and Mark Messier and Dave Babych and Martin Gelinas and Alexander Mogilny (Yes, Mogilny too!) and Martin Gelinas and and every single Vancouver Canuck on a stage. George McPhee is invited even though he is a now Washington Capital. Rick Ley. Announce to the world that this is not journalism. They cover the NHL. They do not make NHL history with their lies. Expose them."

Earl: "To the best of your knowledge, is everything written in this column the truth? You swear it?

Tom: "I do."

----Go back to the Headline list----