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MIKE VERNON CAN'T PLAY FOR CALGARY
by Pete Montgomery

Mike Vernon is just too nervous to play in his hometown of Calgary. Maybe we can put the blame on the people from Lethbridge, Alberta, the team he did not want to play for back in junior. WHL rules were different back then. Vernon had the option of going either to Lethbridge or to Portland, which eventually went on to win the Memorial Cup. Vernon chose Portland, partly because Lethbridge's number one goalie, Ken Wregget, was injured and was expected back for the playoffs. Maybe the good people of Lethbridge put a curse on him. I met someone from Lethbridge that is still mad and he said there is still lots of people in Lethbridge that are mad at Mike Vernon.

I will just mention a few games where Vernon looked nervous and afraid to make mistakes. October 29, 2000, there was the 6-3 loss against Anaheim. Vernon was also in the nets for the 5-2 loss at home against Chicago on November 16, 2000. There was also the 6-1 road loss to Nashville on November 28, 2000. That's when I knew you were losing your confidence. I don't think I have to remind Fans about the 8-0 loss at home to San Jose, perhaps the lowest point of the otherwise forgettable season. Of course, there were those games where you were not expected to play: against Edmonton on November 1, 2000; versus Los Angeles January 6, 2001; a game in Columbus and more. We lost all these games. Your excuses for these games were that you were not mentally and physically ready, but mainly because you had NO confidence and were afraid to make a mistake. I'll buy that. It's just something I've noticed.

A goalie's mind has to be in the game and he or she must not be so afraid of making mistakes. It must be extra hard here in your hometown of Calgary. You got booed in 1994 by the Fans before you got traded to Detroit, and then come back to your hometown where people are on your case again. Let's just call it the Lethbridge curse.

Vernon, I see you're too nervous here in Calgary. I think as a friend, the best thing you can do is retire this summer as a number one goalie, or get the hell out of town to somewhere where you can be a number one goalie again. You still have the skills; maybe just not the support or confidence. Go to the Hall of Fame at or near the top of your game.

To the people of Lethbridge, ask yourselves this: If you were in Mike Vernon's shoes and had a choice to make between playing in the Memorial Cup Tournament for a team and being the number one goalie (Portland) or going to a team and possibly have their number one goalie come back from an injury and take back his top spot (Lethbridge)?

Note: To read the history behind the Mike Vernon/Lethbridge Broncos/Portland Winter Hawks "scandal", go to: http://www.winterhawks.com/history/82.htm

Story from http://www.nhlfixit.com