Excuse my ignorance, but is it normal that teams cannot officially practice
until one day before the season opener?  If so, I assume this in mandated by
the NC$$.  What is the logic?  Can you imagine if college football or
basketball teams could not officially practice until the day before the
season opening!  It seems that this could lead to unfortunate and
unnecessary injuries.

"Cousin Jimmy"
May the legacy of Shawn Walsh live forever



-----Original Message-----
From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jacob Metzler
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 9:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PPH Article


http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/sports/college/hockey/040916mainehockey.sh
tml

ORONO - "Jimmy Howard," he said facing the camera. "Goalie. Junior. The
University of Maine." Fluorescent lights shone in his face, illuminating
curly blond hair and a big smile. At times, this summer couldn't go fast
enough for Howard. Wednesday, Maine's hockey players put on jerseys for the
first time in chilly Alfond Arena for a team picture, posing for photos and
video head shots and chatting about the upcoming season at the Black Bears'
annual media day. Howard, the goalie who made a name for himself at the
Frozen Four last season, talked about why the season opener Oct. 3 can't
come fast enough. "I'm excited. Summer was way too long," Howard said,
grinning. "Every year you have to come back with the frame of mind you can
do even better. We were so close to winning the regular season as well as
Hockey East. A chance to get back to the (national tournament) would be
great." Maine, which lost 1-0 to Denver in the national final on April 10,
will not begin practice officially until Oct. 2, a day before opening the
regular season at Vermont. For now, the players will skate in voluntary
practices without their coaching staff. They'll get in their training and
work out on ice whenever they can. Howard will need to prepare for his
heaviest load of games since youth hockey. Maine is without Frank Doyle, who
graduated after splitting duties with Howard most of the last two seasons.
Backup goalie Ray Jean transferred to Bentley College to play more
regularly. "It's going to be a challenge. I haven't played every game in two
years," said Howard. "But the two other goalies are going to push me to be
my best. It's a good test for me." Maine recruited two goalies this year:
Matt Lundin, an 18-year-old freshman from Apple Valley High in Minnesota and
the brother of sophomore defenseman Mike Lundin; and 19-year-old freshman
Ryan Shelley of Gray, who ranks No. 3 on the depth chart. "Common sense
would say (Howard) would play (the bulk of games)," said Coach Tim
Whitehead. "But Matt will challenge Jimmy. It's why we brought him in."
Shelley, who played for the Portland Junior Pirates in Biddeford last year,
only found out this summer Maine was interested in him. He had plans to play
junior hockey in Canada. "I'm ecstatic. It's a dream come true," said
Shelley. Now he'll be learning from one of the nation's top goalies. Howard
recorded six shutouts in 22 games last year, posting a 1.19 goals-against
average and .956 save percentage, NCAA records.
"(Howard's) work ethic, just watching him in practice, the way he moves,
it's unbelievable," said Shelley. Howard's presence in goal is a calming
factor for the team, said Lisbon's Greg Moore. "Having Jimmy in net every
game, we're real confident with him back there. . . . It lets us take more
chances on our offense," Moore said. Howard is not the only player eager to
get back to playing. "There's a lot of anticipation (for everyone)," said
Moore. "The way the season ended left a lot of motivation for us . . . to
get so close." Whitehead is eager to get started, too. "I want to play some
games. It's the best remedy for all the teams who didn't win their last
game," he said. "It's a very good motivator to try and get back there."
NOTES: Former Maine players Niko Dimitrakos and Lucas Lawson skated with the
team Wednesday. Both are in limbo after the NHL owners locked out their
players Wednesday when the collective bargaining agreement expired.
Dimitrakos was with the San Jose Sharks, Lawson with the New York Rangers'
organization.