January 15th

GABORIK, GARON, & HARTNELL NHL'S THREE STARS

Minnesota Wild right wing Marian Gaborik, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mathieu Garon and Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending January 13.

FIRST STAR -- MARIAN GABORIK, RW, MINNESOTA WILD

Gaborik scored eight points (four goals, four assists) and posted a +9 rating as the Wild captured three of four games for the week. He recorded points in each game, including three multiple-point performances. After tallying an assist in a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Jan. 7, Gaborik recorded a goal and two assists in regulation time and the game-winning shootout goal in a 6-5 victory over the League-leading Detroit Red Wings Jan. 10. The Wild improved to 22-0-2 all-time when Gaborik tallies three or more points, including 13 consecutive victories. He notched two goals in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 11 and closed the week with one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 13. Gaborik leads the Wild and ranks 18th in League scoring with 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 40 games.

SECOND STAR -- MATHIEU GARON, G, EDMONTON OILERS

Garon posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.01 goals-against average and .968 save percentage as the Oilers (21-21-4, 46 points) posted three consecutive victories. Garon turned aside all 35 shots in notching his third shutout of the season as the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders 4-0 Jan. 7. He made 29 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 10 and stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Jan. 13. Garon has posted a 14-9-1 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and three shutouts in 26 appearances this season.

THIRD STAR -- SCOTT HARTNELL, LW, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Hartnell posted eight points (five goals, three assists) in four games, beginning with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers Jan. 8. He notched his second career hat trick in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers Jan. 10, scored one goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins Jan. 12 and finished the week by registering one assist in a 6-4 victory over the Washington Capitals Jan. 13. Hartnell has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 41 games for the Flyers (23-15-5, 51 points), who improved to sixth overall in the Eastern Conference.


WILD PUT HILL ON IR

The Minnesota Wild placed Sean Hill on Injured reserve after the defenceman sprained his ankle in Fridays game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 37-year-old has two assists and is a minus-seven in 21 games this season.


CUJO SIGNS WITH FLAMES

The Calgary Flames spiced up the Battle of Alberta by signing former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Curtis Joseph to a one year, $1.5-million contract.

Joseph spent the last two season in the desert with the Phoenix Coyotes, and in December backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.

The 40-year-old became an unrestricted free agent last summer after not re-signing with the Coyotes after posting a 18-31-2 record and 3.91 Goals Against Average.

Cujo will be reunited with Mike Keenan, who coached him in St. Louis during the 1994-95 season, but later traded him to Edmonton in 1995.

Joseph will backup Mikka Kiprusoff, who has appeared in 45 of Calgary's 46 games this season. Curtis McElhinney has played behind Kiprusoff for most of the season, but only has 131 minutes of NHL experience, and the Flames were looking for a veteran backup.

Joseph is just one victory shy of tying Terry Sawchuck for fourth on the all-time goalie career win list at 447, and over his career with St. Louis, Edmonton, Toronto, Detroit, and Phoenix has 47 shutouts and a 2.76 GAA.


FORSBERG TO START SKATING IN 2-3 WEEKS

In an interview with Sweden's SVT, Peter Forsberg said he plans to begin all-out skating to test his right foot within the next two-to-three weeks.

The 13-year NHL veteran said he is optimistic that things will work out for a comeback, but acknowledged that time is beginning to run out. Back in November he took a turn for the worst when his surgically repaired ankle wasn't holding up.

Forsberg had hoped to play in the Karjala Cup - a four-team international tournament - and was going to use the event as a measuring stick to see of his ankle would be able to withstand the rigors of an NHL season, but also said in the interview that he could also elect to finish the season with the Swedish team Modo instead.

In the last three season's, Forsberg has missed 90 regular season games due to injurys.

In his NHL career Forsberg has appeared in 697 games, scored 248 goals and registered 871 points, along with winning two Stanley Cup with Colorado (1996, 2000), the Hart (MVP) and Art Ross (Leading Scorer) Trophy's in 2003, and the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) in 1995. He also lead Team Sweden to two Gold Medals at the 1994 and 2006 Olympics.