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Wednesday, March 20, 2002

By Seth Rorabaugh, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Seth Rorabaugh's weekly take on a Web site and other stuff he has found on the enigma that is ... the Internet. This week, he raps about checking your hockey facts, players who share Mario's last name and anything else to settle your ice cravings.

http://www.hockeydb.com/

The Hockey Database is the official name, and you'll find information on virtually any hockey player from any league in the modern era.

The NHL's trading deadline was yesterday, and the Penguins acquired a few players in recent days who some less-than-hardcore fans might not immediately recognize. Also, if you root for other teams, information on your nobodies, er ... questionable acquisitions is accessible.

Seemingly any player or league from the modern era is cataloged here. A league search has leagues cataloged, including many obscure foreign ones such as the Japan Ice Hockey League, which existed from 1965 to 2000. Almost every North American minor-league of consequence is included as well as the highly regarded Quebec Major Junior Hockey League which produced countless French Canadian legends.

The player database is perhaps the most impressive portion of the site. Just enter a last name, such as Lemieux, and you will bring up 22 players who share that surname. The list includes such luminaries as Denis, Wilf , Bob and some guy named Mario.

Player's statistics, broken down by the season, are displayed with team and league. Any awards that player has won also are included.

Should you choose to do a common surname like Johnson or Smith, the search will time out. Luckily you can also search by first name as well.

Other things you can delve into are team logos, player trading cards, team-by-team and all-time records, draft picks and message boards.

Much of the information from older leagues is sketchy at best. But, you shouldn't expect much when looking at information on the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, which had a life span of two years (1938-1939). Goalie and playoff statistics are not available, either, but there are plans to include them. Pop-up ads also will litter your desktop.

If you're just an absolute hockey junky or need a little background information on a player you don't immediately recognize, this is a good site for you to visit. Or, if you're a huge fan of the Okanagan Senior Amateur Hockey League (1953-1955) and you want to rehash the good old days, you can do it here.

out of 5.

Want to get your name in the paper? Well this is your lucky day. In pursuit of an easy way to fill up space, we now invite you to visit the sites profiled here and offer your opinion. Send e-mail to srorabaugh@post-gazette.com.