The Icelandic Canadian - 01.02.2007, Side 26

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 60 #4
1992-93 season with the Canadian
National Team, Laxdal took a year
away from hockey. He returned to
score 32 goals for the ECHL's
Roanoke Express in 1994-95 then
spent four years in Britain with the
Sheffield Steelers. Laxdal returned to
North America in 1999 as a member of
the WPHL's Odessa Jackalopes.
CHRIS ROY ODDLEIFSON
Centre Chris Oddleifson was a fine
playmaker and checker in an NHL
career that lasted more than 500
games. He was originally a hard-nosed
forward in junior and the minors but
learned to play with more discipline
when he reached the big leagues.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba,
Oddleifson spent most of his youth in
Dauphin and Winnipeg. He enjoyed
two excellent seasons in the WCJHL
with the Winnipeg Jets. After leading
the league with 64 assists in 1969-70,
he was chosen 10th overall by the
California Golden Seals at the Amateur
Draft. He spent three years working on
his game in the minors and, in the
process, was traded to the Boston
Bruins. He played six games with the
Bruins in 1972-73 and 49 games with
the club the following season.
During the early 1970s Boston had
such talented centres as Phil Esposito,
Derek Sanderson, Fred Stanfield,
Gregg Sheppard, and Andre Savard so
Oddleifson was sent to the Vancouver
Canucks for sharpshooter Bobby
Schmautz. He played nearly eight
years for the Canucks but the team
either missed the playoffs or was elim-
inated in the first round. Oddleifson
registered a career high 46 assists in
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