Last night the Turf Inn in Albany hosted the tenth anniversary celebration of
RPI's 1985 NCAA Championship team.  The night featured a pretty good turn-out,
for a Sunday in July, but more importantly, included most of the players of that
fabled team.  Yes, Adam Oates, casually attired, and Darren Puppa, literally
larger than life, turned out.  And almost everyone else, with the notable
exceptions of Tim Friday and George Servinis.  Even Maurisio Mansi, who once
again became Mo Mansi, escaped the Italian National Team to rejoin his t
teammates, who really looked pretty much the same--the exception being Mike
Sadeghpour who's pate had noticeably thinned.
 
But the true star of the night was former coach Mike Addessa.  Greeted by three
standiung ovations, Addessa held the audience's interest as he rambled through
a 90 minute talk about himself, and his year of glory.  I though Addessa looked
somewhat subdued, even ackward, as he began his speech.  Talking withough script
he through out a few tidbits: Puppa, who hails from some town in Northern
Ontario "close to the North Pole" enrolled at Denver University, who was coacheby his unched
by his uncle at the time; Oates almost didn't matriculate having to take
a sizable academic load in the summer immediately prior to his freshman year.
Addessa also dispelled the notion that John Carter had ever used four letter
words during the games alleging that all his players were instructed to only use
the King's English in game situations.  Addessa, quite rightly, assigned all his
success to the quality of his players.  Few will argue that the 1985 team
members exhibited a degree of talent that dan scarcely be rivalled in college
hockey, and Addessa passed out the praise freely.  He commented that Trini
Itturalde, the leading scorer in his Massachusetts league, was told the night
of his high school championship that he would assume the checking role on the
team, to which Itturalde responded, "Whatever you want coach."
 
Addessa had nice words about nearly everyone on the team, rambling from one
observation to another.  But his air seemed subdued, perhaps emotional.  I am
sure he was nervous about returning to the den of the lions, and he seemed
profuse in his praise for the people in the program, like Bob Duccatte, and even
then president George Low.  He said he never got a chance to thank everyone
when he left before (although he hung around the area for at least a year before
moving out to Western Canada) and make a point of citing everyone he thought he
owed something to.  He expressed his love for the university, and re-pledged his
allegiance to the school.  He added that he continued to maintain contact with
the program, having been involved in the recruitment of Eric Healy last year,
and Mark Murphy, of the incoming freshman class.  He addressed the Board of
Directors, almost pleading with them, to serve RPI in any manner they deemed
appropriate.  It seemed like the new Mike Addessa was a more humble version,
not the old stiff take-charge tyrant that ruled his team with an iron fist.  Of
course he couldn't resist name-dropping--Lou Nanne and Serge Savard bugging hime
in Detroit after the Providence victory, but perhaps Addessa has accepted his
lot in life--a coach not of the Rangers, or a top college team, but of a t
talented group of kids look for their own shot in hockey.
 
The night was emceed by local on-air personality Ed Dague, himself an RPI grad,
who offered his own personal reminiscenses of that special season.  Mike
Sadeghpour also took the dais, reflecting about life at practice.  Telling
about how the team would square off with the Canadians against the Americans,
he noted that if your were paired against Tim Friday, you knew you would be
plastered against the boards in a few seconds, if you had to play George Se
Servinis, it was a struggle just to keep up with him, and then, if you ever
had a shot, you were reduced to pleading with "Pupes" to let one through.
 
It was quite a special night.  But it really seemed like this was to be the
homecoming for Mike Addessa.  He apparently has remained close to all the pl
players on the '85 team, especially Adam Oates, who was the beneficiary of
several asides.  He also graciously mentioned current coach Dan Fridgen, who, it
was revealed, was voted the biggest PITA to play against by the RPI players baack
in 1985.  If the university doesn't accept him back with open arms, well, maybe
a spirit of detente will emerge.  The mood of the night was celebration, and
all who were there will agree Addessa certainly played a key part in it.
 
One more note: it was indicatd that assistant coach Steve Duncan will not be
returning.  He apparently is now entertaining job offers.
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Brian Morris           RPI Engineers--1995 EACA Chamnpions
[log in to unmask]                make that ECAC Champions