Catching Up With The Past

Todd McFarlane is releasing NHL Legends Series 7 in November.

Included in this set are Rocket Richard, Gordie Howe 2, Stan Mikita, Doug Gilmour (Toronto and Calgary) and Mark Messier 3 (New York and Edmonton).

Also look for NHL Hockey Series 20 to hit the stores in November.

Here's the rest of the news about former NHL players in this week's edition of Catching Up With The Past.

Hockey lost Reg Dunlop. Paul Newman, the actor who portrayed the player/coach of the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," died at age 83.

Hockey lost a good friend with the passing of Aggie Kukulowicz. The famed interpreter for several international hockey series and tournaments, including the Canada-Russia 1972 Summit Series, died in Toronto at the age of 75. Not many people realize Kukulowicz was a junior and minor league star who did get a 4 game shot with the New York Rangers back in the 1950s.

Wednesday's Victoria Cup game was preceded by a Russia vs. Switzerland Legends game. Familiar names (to North American fans) included Valeri Kamensky, Viacheslav Fetisov, Andrei Kovalenko, Vladimir Lutchenko, and Alexander Yakushev. The hometown Swiss fans cheered loudest for long time Bern goalie Renato Tosio, as well as Jörg Eberle, Felix Hollenstein and Jakob Kölliker

Jean Beliveau and Johnny Bower visited Cobourg, Ontario to meet a very special hockey fan.

"Don Cherry says he's going to dazzle Hockey Night in Canada audiences with his wardrobe this year, that is if he doesn't get fired first.

Bill Meltzer gives NHL.com readers a look at the history of Swedish hockey.

Meanwhile, Eurohockey.net talks with Spanish team captain Ivan Codina. Codina believes this season will be a historic season for Spanish hockey.

When the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers played a pre-season game in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, fans were witnessing hockey history on PEI.

Mike Chen has been reviewing The Hockey News' list of the top 50 players in the NHL . . . from 1998.

The Eye Opener remembers Maple Leaf Gardens.

Hockey card collectors rejoice! Upper Deck is releasing Legends Masterpieces hockey set.

Jesse Wallin is embarking on his coaching career in the WHL.

Meanwhile, long time coach John Muckler isn't ready to retire yet.

Comedian Will Davis better watch out for Mr. Hockey's famous elbows. The comic is taking shots at Gordie Howe in his new comedy routine.

Manon Rheaume will be making special appearances this season with the Port Huron Icehawks.

Anthony Luciani of the OHL's Erie Otters accomplished something this week that no NHL hockey legend has ever done - he scored on two penalty shots in the same game.