Ryan Miller is named Olympic MVP

It is reported that Team USA goaltender Ryan Miller was named the MVP of the Olympic hockey tournament and was one of three Americans to make the tourney's All-Star team.

Miller, defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Zach Parise were named to the team along with Canadian defenseman Shea Weber and forward Jonathan Toews and Slovakia forward Pavol Demitra, who led all scorers at the Games with 10 points. The All Star team of the Olympic tournament was named after the second period of the gold-medal game. Rafalski earned best defenseman honors and Toews was named best forward.

Pitkanen is suspended in quarterfinals

Joni Pitkanen of Finland was suspended for one game after receiving a game misconduct penalty for hitting Sweden's Patric Hornqvist in the head in the second period on Sunday night. "He's a key part on the power play and obviously on the breakouts he's such a good skater and mobile defenseman and sees the ice well," defenseman Sami Salo said. "Obviously it's a big loss but it opens up a spot for Janne Niskala."

Niskala has been acting as a seventh defenseman, the former Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner has been playing for Frolunda Gothenburg in the Swedish Elite League since 2008.

Lightning sign free agent Parrish

Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Mark Parrish to a one-year, two-way contract. Parrish has been assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
In 42 games with the Admirals this season, he has 12 goals and 25 points, tying him for second on the club in points and third in goals. He leads Norfolk in goals, points and plus/minus during the team's previous 26 games with nine goals, 20 points. A veteran of ten National Hockey League seasons, Parrish has appeared in 704 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, recording 216 goals and 169 assists in those games.

Parrish, who appeared in the 2002 NHL All-Star Game, was originally a third round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Parrish appeared in 44 NHL games last season with the Stars, recording eight goals and five assists. Parrish has appeared in 48 career AHL games with the Admirals, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Beast of New Haven, scoring 15 goals and 29 points.

Red Wings' Holland appeared on NHL Live!

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Tuesday, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Holland, who has been the Wings' GM since 1997, is also assisting Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe are retired defenseman Bret Hedican, Pierre McGuire of NBC and TSN and Kevin Allen of USA Today. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York City.

Adam Graves will join NHL Live!

It is reported that former New York Rangers star Adam Graves will appear on Friday's edition of NHL Live! from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek are NBC hockey analyst Ed Olczyk, a former teammate of Graves, and retired defenseman Teppo Numminen.

Also on the show will be Joseph Bowser of EveryBODY Skates New Jersey, a group of disabled athletes who will make history this weekend by visiting all 54 rinks in the State of New Jersey in just 54 hours.

Travis Zajac will appear on NHL Live

New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac will be among the guests on Thursday's edition of NHL Live! on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek are NHL television analyst Mike Milbury, CBC analyst and former NHL goaltender Glenn Healy, and San Jose Sharks TV broadcaster Drew Remenda. The Sharks host Chicago in a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Put on your nhl jerseys and support them!

NHL Live will announce players of the week

It is reported that the players of the week will be announced during Monday’s edition of NHL Live!, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio.

TSN broadcaster Bob McKenzie, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney and Dallas Stars play-by-play man Ralph Strangis will be among the guests chatting with hosts Rob Simpson and Dave Maloney. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in Manhattan.

Lightning and Devils' game is postponed

It is reported that National Hockey League Game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, N. J. was postponed due to the failure of arena lights. Play was stopped when the bank of lights failed in the second period. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman postponed the remainder of play due to concerns for the safety of the players after consultation with the NHL Hockey Operations Department and the respective Clubs.

"We felt the teams could not continue playing," said Colin Campbell, the League’s Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "We tried for an hour and 52 minutes to restore power and appropriate lighting but were left with no alternative but to postpone further play for the evening." As the teams do not have future games scheduled against each other, a new date for the completion of the contest will be determined.

NHL donates $100,000 for Haiti relief

It is reported that on behalf of its member clubs, the National Hockey League donated $100,000 to UNICEF on Thursday in support of that organization's efforts to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

"The catastrophe in Haiti requires an urgent response from the National Hockey League family," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The victims need food, water, temporary housing and basic medical supplies, and the emergency effort by UNICEF is helping to provide those critical commodities to communities in desperate need."

Goaltender Leclaire is injured during Thursday's game

Ottawa Senators goaltender Pascal Leclaire suffered an injury during Thursday's practice at Madison Square Garden, and the team has recalled Mike Brodeur from AHL to start Thursday's game against the New York Rangers. Brodeur (not Devils goalie Martin Brodeur) stopped 22 shots in the game against the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 19 in senators jersey.

The Calgary native has appeared in 19 games this season with Binghamton, posting a 6-6-1 record with two shutouts. He was hurt by a shot during Thursday's morning skate at MSG, but it was not known where he was injured.

Hurricanes' Eric Staal will be absent for a period

President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford announced that the club has agreed on forward Eric Staal (in hurricanes jersey) a leave of absence because of the death of his wife Tanya’s sister, Tamara Stephenson.

Stephenson, who was only 26, passed away in Thunder Bay on Tuesday after a long fight with cancer. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Tanya and Eric during this difficult time for their family," said Jim Rutherford.

Gordie Howe gave us a surprise in Olympic torch relay

It is said that the Olympic torch relay through southwestern Ontario had a surprise runner -- Gordie Howe. Hundreds of revelers cheered on the torch in Amherstburg, where cannons were fired when it arrived at historic Fort Malden. The crowd lining in LaSalle went wild when Howe arrived with the torch.

Howe, who was born in Floral, played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, leading them to four Stanley Cup victories. He retired at age 52 after playing the 1979-80 season with the Hartford Whalers. Howe is one of 12,000 Canadians who will help carry the flame to Vancouver, where the 2010 Games will be held in February.

Predators' Dan Ellis will appear on NHL Live!

It is reported that Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Monday, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Ellis, who is a former second-round pick of the Dallas Stars, is 6-5-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Predators this season.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Rob Simpson and E.J. Hradek are TSN analyst Bob McKenzie and CBC color commentator Craig Simpson. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York City.

Statement regarding Ducks Henry and Susan Samueli

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement on Dec.9: "On December 9, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney vacated the single charge that was pending against Dr. Henry Samueli, indicating that no law had been violated. We are delighted that the Samueli good name has now been cleared. In retrospect, it is regrettable and unfortunate that the circumstances at that time caused the Samuelis and the Anaheim Ducks to endure any suspension. We were pleased to welcome the Samuelis back to the NHL when the suspension was lifted this past November 12."

This statement comes after U.S. District Court proceedings this week in California, where Judge Carney stated that Henry Samueli had not made a materially false statement during his testimony before the SEC.

Brodeur appears in NHL Hour

Martin Brodeur will be the guest on Thursday's NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman which can be heard on NHL.com and Sirius XM Radio at 3 p.m. ET. Broderu tied Terry Sawchuk at the top of all-time list. His next chance to own the record himself comes Friday against the Florida Panthers.

Earlier this season, Brodeur set the all-time mark and last season broke Patrick Roy's all-time wins record. He's also four games away from passing Roy to become the all-time leader in games played by a goalie. The NHL Hour With Gary Bettman encourages fans to call in with questions for the Commissioner.

Burke meets with five NHL GMs

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Burke, who is also the GM for Team USA, met with the five other NHL GMs who make up the selection committee. Burke is confident about the majority of America's 23-man roster is in place, with the 2010 Olympic Games just two months away. But there are still decisions to be made. "Canada can be wrong on three or four players and it's not going to change their team." Burke told The Globe and Mail in Toronto.

Team USA's roster will be named at Fenway Park on Jan .1 during the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Many fans believe Canada will win the gold medal on home ice. "Every time in this tournament will be bet on Canada and Russia," Burke said. "No one is betting on us and that's okay. But we're there to win."

Coyotes' Jovanovski is suspended two games

The National Hockey League announced that Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Jovanovski has been suspended for two games without pay, due to an incident in NHL game against the Minnesota Wild on December 7. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Jovanovski will forfeit $67,357.52. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Jovanovski delivered a blow to Minnesota's Andrew Ebbett and penalty was assessed on the play. Jovanovski will miss Thursday's game at Los Angeles and Dec. 12 against San Jose Sharks. He will be eligible to return on Dec. 14 at Detroit in his coyotes jersey.

Capitals claim Chris Bourque off waivers

According to the Washington Capitals, the team have claimed forward Chris Bourque off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins and assigned him to the AHL's Hershey Bears. Bourque returns to the Washington organization after recording 3 assists in 20 games this season for the Penguins in pittsburgh penguins jersey.

Bourque was the Capitals’ second-round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft and has scored 1 goal in 12 career games with Washington. He has played four seasons with the Bears and helped Hershey win the Calder Cup in 2006 and 2009. Last season, he scored 21 goals and 52 assists in 69 games in the Hershey scoring race with 73 points. Bourque tallied five goals and 16 assists in 22 playoff games.

Cam Ward is not in the injured list

President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford announced that the team has activated Cam Ward from the long-term injured list. Ward has missed the Hurricanes' last 13 games after being cut on his leg by a skate on Nov. 7. He is eligible to play in his carolina hurricanes jersey at New Jersey on Dec. 9.

Now he is in his fifth NHL season, and has compiled a 122-86-21 record in 239 regular-season games with the Hurricanes. Ward is the franchise's all-time leader in playoff wins and he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006 as the Most Valuable Player. The Hurricanes drafted Ward in the first round in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Avalanche acquire Foote and Hendricks

The Colorado Avalanche announced that the team has acquired defenseman Adam Foote and forward Matt Hendricks from the injured reserve list. Both of them will be available in the game against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center.
Foote has missed the last five games after suffering the injury on Nov. 17 at Calgary. Hendricks has missed the last six games due to a groin injury. He was placed on Nov. 19. Hendricks has two goals in 15 games this year in the nhl jersey.

The team also announced that the club has placed defenseman Kyle Cumiskey on IR and claimed defenseman Tom Preissing on waivers.