Tom Kurvers

The Mighty Ducks have offered a termination contract to defenseman Tom Kurvers, signaling an end to his unproductive tenure with the team. The Ducks traded for Kurvers last summer in an attempt to bolster their dismal power play, but the deal that sent captain Troy Loney to the New York Islanders backfired. Kurvers, 32, proved to be a defensive liability and the power play remained the worst in the league.

The Mighty Ducks have offered a termination contract to defenseman Tom Kurvers, signaling an end to his unproductive tenure with the team. The Ducks traded for Kurvers last summer in an attempt to bolster their dismal power play, but the deal that sent captain Troy Loney to the New York Islanders backfired. Kurvers, 32, proved to be a defensive liability and the power play remained the worst in the league.

It was a husband's worst nightmare, an auto wreck with his pregnant wife riding along in the car. Tom Kurvers lived through that terrible scenario not long after arriving in Orange County and just days after the NHL lockout began. The accident wasn't life-threatening, but later Kurvers was informed his health insurance was worthless and his fears intensified. Eventually, the mix-up was straightened out and Suzy Kurvers delivered a healthy baby girl they named Madison.

Tom Kurvers has worn the uniforms of seven NHL teams, but now he spends most game nights in different attire--a coat and tie. He has played in only two games in the past month, and Mighty Duck Coach Ron Wilson has scratched the defenseman from the lineup 10 times in the last 11 games. After nearly 11 seasons in the NHL, Kurvers, 32, is out of the picture with the Ducks.

These are strange days and nights for Mighty Duck defenseman Tom Kurvers. Benched three consecutive games for his error-filled play, Kurvers returned to The Pond ice Sunday and turned in a sound performance. He scored the Ducks' first goal--his fourth this season--made a couple of noteworthy defensive plays and earned the praise of Coach Ron Wilson, a harsh critic lately. Then again, Kurvers was on the ice for four of Calgary's five goals and the Ducks lost their third in a row.

On the first day of the draft, plenty of NHL players were tuned in to see who their future teammates might be. But on Day 2--Rounds 3-11--they were going about their business. Troy Loney was preparing to move some belongings to California. Sean Hill was driving from Minneapolis to his home in Duluth, Minn. Tom Kurvers was going to play golf. And then the phones started to ring. "My wife was feeding the baby and couldn't get to the phone," Loney said.

The Mighty Ducks traded their first captain, Troy Loney, during the second day of the NHL entry draft Wednesday, and in a separate deal parted with defenseman Sean Hill, the player who scored the team's first goal. But they came away with veteran New York Islander defenseman Tom Kurvers, who they hope will inject some offense into a power play that was often powerless last season.

Tom Kurvers has worn the uniforms of seven NHL teams, but now he spends most game nights in different attire--a coat and tie. He has played in only two games in the past month, and Mighty Duck Coach Ron Wilson has scratched the defenseman from the lineup 10 times in the last 11 games. After nearly 11 seasons in the NHL, Kurvers, 32, is out of the picture with the Ducks.

These are strange days and nights for Mighty Duck defenseman Tom Kurvers. Benched three consecutive games for his error-filled play, Kurvers returned to The Pond ice Sunday and turned in a sound performance. He scored the Ducks' first goal--his fourth this season--made a couple of noteworthy defensive plays and earned the praise of Coach Ron Wilson, a harsh critic lately. Then again, Kurvers was on the ice for four of Calgary's five goals and the Ducks lost their third in a row.

It was a husband's worst nightmare, an auto wreck with his pregnant wife riding along in the car. Tom Kurvers lived through that terrible scenario not long after arriving in Orange County and just days after the NHL lockout began. The accident wasn't life-threatening, but later Kurvers was informed his health insurance was worthless and his fears intensified. Eventually, the mix-up was straightened out and Suzy Kurvers delivered a healthy baby girl they named Madison.

On the first day of the draft, plenty of NHL players were tuned in to see who their future teammates might be. But on Day 2--Rounds 3-11--they were going about their business. Troy Loney was preparing to move some belongings to California. Sean Hill was driving from Minneapolis to his home in Duluth, Minn. Tom Kurvers was going to play golf. And then the phones started to ring. "My wife was feeding the baby and couldn't get to the phone," Loney said.

The Mighty Ducks traded their first captain, Troy Loney, during the second day of the NHL entry draft Wednesday, and in a separate deal parted with defenseman Sean Hill, the player who scored the team's first goal. But they came away with veteran New York Islander defenseman Tom Kurvers, who they hope will inject some offense into a power play that was often powerless last season.

Winger Roman Oksiuta said his sprained ankle has mended and he is fit enough to play tonight against the Boston Bruins. Cracking the lineup is another matter, however. "Where are you going to play him?" General Manager Jack Ferreira asked. "There's another guy who's playing better and creating things [scoring chances] too." Ferreira was speaking of Brian Bellows, whose play at power forward would have nudged Oksiuta aside by now even if Oksiuta had not been injured.