January 2nd

WORLD JUNIORS

After a "new year's break" the World Juniors round robin relegation round starts today with four games on the schedule, which are listed below.

The United States has the day off but will play the winner of Canada/Finland.

Canada vs Finland
Russia vs Czech Republic
Slovakia vs Switzerland
Kazakhstan vs Denmark


McCRIMMON ELEVATED TO ASSOCIATE COACH

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Brad McCrimmon might be one step closer to his first NHL head-coaching job. He was promoted to associate coach by the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday in a move that might pave the way for him to take over for interim coach Don Waddell.

Waddell, also the Thrashers' general manager, moved to the bench after firing former head coach Bob Hartley when the team opened the season with six consecutive losses.

McCrimmon, 48, is in his fourth season in Atlanta as an assistant, and previously was an assistant with the Calgary Flames (2000-02) and New York Islanders (1997-98), and also coached the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades for two years.
McCrimmon played in 1,222 games over 18 NHL seasons from 1979 to 1997 with Boston, Philadelphia, Calgary, Detroit, Hartford and Phoenix.


'CANES PUT HEDICAN ON IR

The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenceman Bret Hedican on injured reserve because of a sprained right knee on Tuesday and recalled defenceman Casey Borer from Albany.

Hedican, who has two goals and seven assists, hurt his knee in a win over the Bruins on Dec. 28. He hasn't played since. The 22-year-old is in his first full professional season after completing a four-year career at St. Cloud State of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. He currently leads Albany defencemen in goals (five), points (14) and power-play goals (four). 

He was Carolina's third selection (3rd round, 69th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.


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