UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, February 28, 1996
5B
Gretzky dealt to Blues, ending weeks of speculation
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — The Great One is gone.
Wayne Gretzky, the hockey icon who failed to win a Stanley Cup in Los Angeles, was traded to the St. Louis Blues last night, ending weeks of rumor and speculation about his future.
"It finally happened," Gretzky told The Canadian Press. "It is over with, and I am thrilled that the Kings were nice to me over my career, and I look forward to a new start in St. Louis."
No other details were immediately disclosed on the deal involving the most prolific scorer in NHL history and the unofficial ambassador of his sport.
However, the 35-year-old superstar whose name is synonymous with hockey said he expects to sign with the Blues in two to three weeks.
Gretzky can become a free agent after this season, and the Kings
risked losing him without compensation if they failed to sign him.
"Today was like the final straw," Gretzky told the The Canadian Press by telephone. "It has been gut-wrenching for about a month, and today was the icing on the cake."
Both the Blues and Gretzky were to hold separate news conferences later in the night.
A spokesman for the Blues' owners told The Associated Press the deal had been completed. The Kings would not confirm the trade, except to announce the news conference featuring Gretzky and general manager Sam McMaster.
"I will miss (Los Angeles), but I am ecstatic about going to St. Louis," Gretzky said. "I am ecstatic about playing for Mike (Keenan), and obviously it will be nice to have Brett Hull on my right side."
Word of the trade from St. Louis came while McMaster and Kings governor Bob Sanderman were meeting into the evening at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
"It is over with, and I am thrilled ...I look forward to a new start in St. Louis."
Wayne Grotzky
On being traded last night
Earlier in the day, Sanderman announced there was no conclusion to the negotiations with Gretzky and his agent, but the talks were to resume.
"We want to do what's right for Wayne," Sanderman said at the time. "At the same time, we owe it to our fans to do what's right for the Los Angeles Kings.
However, Gretzky has played his last game for the Kings. And now, Gretzky is off to St. Louis and is expected in the lineup for the Blues tomorrow night in Vancouver.
"What we're wrestling with is can we do what's right for everybody and have him remain with the Kings. That's our hope and desire."
Sanderman described the 1 1/2-hour meeting as cordial, and said he was optimistic about reaching a conclusion concerning Gretzky this week. The resolution came much sooner.
Gretzky was in the meeting while the Kings practiced for Wednesday night's game. He and Barnett left the building before the news conference began.
To get Gretzky, the Blues supposedly were set to give the Kings rookies Craig Johnson and Patrice Tardif, 19-year-old prospect Roman Vopat and their No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft.
The Gretzky trade watch, which has involved a number of teams, had
been a strain for all parties involved, and Gretzky said he expected a deal before the March 20 trade deadline
"It's been going on for 2 1/2 months." Kings coach Larry Robinson said. "Something has to be resolved. It's not good for the team. It's not fair to Wayne either."
Marty McSorley, who was part of the blockbuster trade, which sent Gretzky from Edmonton to Los Angeles in 1988, was one of several players who expressed support for Gretzky, the team captain.
"Wayne is our leader," he said at practice. "If Wayne had been moved, it would have been a sure sign of where the team was headed. He's pretty sensitive, and he cares about the team. This has been hard on him."
Gretzky played his last game for the Kings on Monday night in Winnipeg, where he assisted on one goal in a 4-3 loss. Afterward, he said that he planned to meet with the Kings' owners Tuesday, and that there would be no trade until that meeting
was finished.
Gretzky is making $6.5 million this season, and he earlier scoffed at suggestions he's seeking a new contract that would pay him $21 million for the next three seasons.
A nine-time MVP, Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with Edmonton before coming to the Kings. He sparked hockey interest in Southern California but failed to win an NHL title for the Kings, getting his new team as far as the finals in 1993.
With the prospect of Gretzky coming to St. Louis, the Blues had sold an additional 2,200 tickets in the last two days.
Gretzky, whose wife is from St. Louis, has said he wouldn't have a problem playing for the Blues (27-24-11) and Keenan, the coach and general manager.
"I'm just one player — it takes 20 guys to win," Gretzky said Monday night. "But Mike Keenan wants to win. That's always nice when you're playing in this league, to play for a guy that always wants to win."
Cowboys, Sooners both on tournament bubble
Teams battle for more than bragging rights
The Associated Press
STILLWATER, Okla. — The rivalry alone is enough to make Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State a big basketball game. But there will be more than just bragging rights at stake Wednesday night in Stillwater.
Both teams are trying to secure at-large berths in the NCAA tournament. Oklahoma (16-10, 7-5 Big Eight) has the advantage with its seven conference victories, but the Sooners probably need at least one more win to feel comfortable.
In the 11 years that the NCAA tournament has included 64 teams, every eligible Big Eight team with at least 17 Division I victories and at least a.500 conference record has received an invitation.
"I don't know for sure, but it seems like we would be a team because our noncon-
that schedule." He also said he thought that some of the teams that had had more victories had an easier schedule.
The Sooners played Georgia Tech, Purdue and Texas on the road, losing two of those three. They also played home games against Texas Tech, which is now ranked No. 9, and Mississippi State.
Those two games are among four the Sooners have lost at home this season. But they seem to be playing their best now, having won five of their past six conference games.
"Oklahoma is playing, right now, I think about as well as anyone outside of Kansas," OSU coach Eddie Sutton said.
The Sooners rallied from 15 points down to beat Nebraska on the road Sunday. Prior to that they beat Colorado in back-to-back games. Sampson has gone with a smaller lineup of late, and it has produced positive results — a faster
tempo that has helped players such as Nate Erdmann and Dion Barnes put points on the board.
"You look at Ryan Minor. I think he's the best player in our league," Sutton said. "I think Erdmann has really developed into an outstanding basketball player.
"They've got a good point guard in (Tyrone) Foster. I think Barnes is perhaps the best sixth man in the league. (Ernie) Abercrombie, he's just a warrior."
Oklahoma State (15-9, 5-7) has played much better in recent weeks. After losing to Oklahoma on Feb. 5, the Cowboys were just 1-6 in league play, and it seemed the only tournament they were headed for was the NIT.
But if the Cowboys were to win Wednesday and then upset Missouri on the road Sunday, they would have a shot at the NCAA tournament. They have lost at home to Nebraska and Missouri, but also have beaten Michigan State and Temple.
In the first game against Oklahoma, Cowboy forward Jerome Lambert had 22 points on 11-of-12 shooting and Adrian Peterson scored 25, but Oklahoma won 81-75 in overtime.
"With them, you think, 'Who concerns you?' Sampson said. "I think Lambert and Peterson obviously concern you; they're their two best offensive players. But Jason Skaer is probably their wild card. It seems like when he steps up and scores, they're such a much better team."
Vaughn is a finalist for Naismith Award
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Tony Delk of Kentucky and Marcus Camby of Massachusetts were among the men's nominees and Georgia and Connecticut each had two women's nominees as finalists were announced yesterday for the Boost-Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Awards.
Basketball coaches, journalists and administrators chose the finalists. The awards will be presented in a CBS telecast March 24.
Other men's finalists are Ray Allen, Connecticut; Tim Duncan, Wake Forest; Allen Iverson, Georgetown; Kerry Kittles, Villanova; Keith Vorn Horh, Utah; Jacque Vaughn, Kansas; John Wallace, Syracuse; and Lorenzen Wright, Memphis.
Women chosen are La'Keshi Frett and Saudia Roundtree, Georgia; Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters, Connecticut; Vicki Johnson, Louisiana Tech; Michell Marciniak, Tennessee; Wendy Palmer, Virginia; Sheri Sam, Vanderbilt; Katie Smith, Ohio State; and K妃 Starbird, Stanford.
SENIORS: Final home game allows Rayford, Pearson and Whatley a chance to thank fans, coaches, team
Continued from Page 1.
After Whatley had thanked the Kansas coaching staff, the players and his parents, the fans started chanting "We want Whatley."
"I was just out there soaking it all up."
It wasn't long before the other Jayhawk players joined in.
"That's really satisfying to know your teammates are behind you." Whatley said.
He couldn't help but enjoy his first career start either.
"I wasn't nervous at all, that was the thing," Whatley said. "I was kind of nervous for the ceremonies and everything. But once it started, it was a flashback to my high school days."
Because Whatley, Pearson and Rayford started the game, Pollard, guard Jerod
Hase and forward Paul Pierce sat on the bench.
They were bumped from the starting lineup for the first time this season, though they checked in less than four minutes into the game.
"This is a day for those guys. They stuck it out four years," Pierce said. "We were excited for them."
MATHEMATICS PRIZE COMPETITION
Junior Level: Open to all undergraduates of non-senior standing First prize--$100 Second prize----50
Senior Level: Open to all undergraduates First prize-$150 Both exams will be given on March 12 7-10 pm in room 306Snow
To participate you must register in 405 Snow by noon, March 12 COPIES OF LAST YEAR'S COMPETITION ARE POSTED OUTSIDE 405 SNOW
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS WITH THE BUS SYSTEM COME TO THE KU ON WHEELS ROUTE HEARINGS
Topics to be discussed: Current Routes Meadowbrook East Lawrence West 6th
Date: March 4th Place: Walnut Room, 6th floor Kansas Union Time: 5:00 p.m.
STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SENATE
Tazza Pastry
Happy Hour
Monday - Friday 12-2
La Prima Tazza Coffee House
1/2 Off Sumptuous Pastries*
Voted Best Coffee & Espresso '91-'95 Journal World
- With the purchase of any espresso drink. 832-2233 638 Massachusetts Lawrence, KS 66044
KUCRIMSONCREW
Get involved with the University and the Football program by participating in the 1996-1997 Crimson Crew.
This is a great experience for anyone interested in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or other related fields.
All interested freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are asked to attend an informational meeting in the Hadl Auditorium, 1st floor A.C.E. (new Parrott Athletic Center addition)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 AT 5 P.M.
Any questions? Call the Football Office at 864-3393