Folks, I have to agree with this respondent that the 'nay-sayers' 
and 'doubting Thomases' should be ashamed of the way they have 
continuously berated the hockey staff and office.  Tim is responsible for 
getting this team reorganized and getting them to the frozen four. He 
should be considered for coach of the year award.  His coaching style 
speaks for itself with 3 frozen fours in 5 years.  He doesn't need to be a 
strict disciplinarian to be successful. Too many find it easy to complain 
when things are rough, but I don't see them giving credit when things go 
well.  Shawn is gone and Tim is not going to change his coaching 
philosophy. All kinds of coaches succeed. Live with it. 
As to the Damon incident, you will never probably never know exactly what 
he did, but look at a copy of the Student-Athlete Code of conduct. I lays 
out his responsibilities if he wants to participate. If he broke the 
rules, that's his own fault. No one in the Academic Support office should 
be spending all their time checking class attendance. It's the athlete's 
responsibility, and if they don't, then they pay the consequnces. Derek is 
more than old enough to know better! 
Let's come together and celebrate the accomplishments of this unheralded 
team. They have a big mountain to climb next week in Wisconsin, and they 
will need everyone's support.  Go Maine! 
Bruce Hale, Director of Academic Support for Student-athletes, 1998-2003