DETROIT (AP) — Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, will return to the champion Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
The team said the 65-year-old coach received a clean bill of health from his doctor today. Bowman had an angioplasty in July to clear a blocked artery and had his left knee replaced in August.
Bowman, whose brother Jack died during heart surgery in June, had said he would not return unless his doctor said he was healthy enough.
Bowman said Saturday he expected to return.
“Oh, yeah, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” he said. “I have no qualms about coming back.”
Bowman said his cholesterol and blood pressure were normal and his heart reacted better during a medical exam on Friday than it did in July.
General manager Ken Holland said Bowman will run practice on Thursday and be behind the bench when Detroit plays host to Toronto on Friday.
Bowman has a 1,057-484-277 regular season mark and a 194-112 playoff record, winning five Stanley Cups with Montreal, two with Detroit and one with Pittsburgh. The only other coach to win eight Stanley Cups is his mentor, former Montreal coach Toe Blake.
Following their 2-0 victory on Sunday, the Detroit players were excited about reports of Bowman’s return.
“e’s the guy in charge; it’s Scotty’s team,”captain Steve Yzerman said. “e’s molded it the way he wants it.”
Yzerman said Bowman’s return would enhance Detroit’s chances for winning another title.
“We’ve enjoyed playing for him and we’d like to keep this going,” zerman said.
Added forward Brendan Shanahan: “e’s a part of this team and a part of the team’s success the past two years. We want this to continue.”
NHL Olympics stinton thin ice
TORONTO (AP) — The NHL’s participation in the 2002 Winter Olympics will depend on how negotiations go with broadcast rights holder NBC, says league commissioner Gary Bettman.
“The schedule has got to be put together so there is considerable prime-time (TV) exposure for the U.S. and Canadian teams because if we’re not going to get substantial exposure for our players … it doesn’t make sense for us to go,” Bettman said Monday.
In Nagano, Japan, CBS relegated hockey to the late-night show, airing at either 11:35 p.m. or 12:35 a.m.
Bettman made the comments while attending the book launch of the NHL-produced “Total Hockey: The Official Encyclopedia of the NHL.” It was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
