This is a (unauthorized) reprint of an excerpt from Dennis Whitton's, who
is the Sports Editor of the Lowell Sun, column in last Sunday's (5/7/94)
Sun:
 
 
 
 
Job Offers Will Come To Crowder
 
With "New England Division I Coach of the Year" on his resume, it's no
wonder UMass-Lowell's Bruce Crowder is attracting interest from other
colleges.
 
The former UNH Wildcat and Boston Bruin has an interview with the
University of Denver this week, and a job offer there could be very
tempting.  Although the Pioneers haven't had a winning hockey record since
1988-89, they still draw more than 3700 people to their newly renovated
4700-seat arena.
 
If Crowder doesn't take the Denver job, something else is bound to come
along, maybe even at Maine, where all the NCAA trouble has to be eroding
Shawn Walsh's position.  Crowder was an assistant at Maine for four banner
years before coming to Lowell.
 
Naturally, UMass-Lowell would love to keep Crowder here.  But until and
unless a new arena is built, that's going to be tough to do.  Tully Forum
is a deterrent when it comes to recruiting, and recruiting is the
lifeblood of any program.
 
Who would replace Crowder at UMass-Lowell? Here are a few possible names
Athletic Director Wayne Edwards can put on his rolodex.
 
Current UMass-Lowell assistant Mark Ostapina, a former top recruiter for
Alaska-Anchorage who played his college hockey for Bob Johnson at
Wisconsin.  Ostapina, 37, would be the No. 1 candidate right now.  He has
an outstanding hockey background and some administrative experience, too.
 
Tim Whitehead, 32, another Crowder assistant.  He also came to Lowell from
the University of Maine staff.
 
Gary Wright, head coach at AIC.  He was a finalist at UMass-Lowell 3.5
years ago when Crowder was chosen.
 
John Cunniff, most recently an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic team.
 He has some NHL experience but, like Mike Milbury, probably wouldn't mind
getting into college hockey.
 
Some longshots include Springfield (AHL) coach Jay Leach, ex-Boston
College coach Steve Cedorchuk, ex-Providence coach Mike McShane and Brown
assistant Brian Durocher.
 
 
 
 
[Any people from the Denver program have anything to add about how
Crowder's interview went?   - Steve]
 
 
 
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On a side note, the Boston Globe reported this morning that Mike Milbury
plans on keeping his coaching staff intact at BC, and will keep Steve
Cedorchuk's assistants.....