First of all, Happy New Year to all on the Hockey-l.It was
a fantastic Holiday Break for the Black Bears, as they set an NC$$
record by winning 4 Holiday Tournaments and continued on their unbeaten
ways, even without the Ferraros, Paul Kariya and Eric Fenton for most
of the games.  The Bears now stand at 21-0-1 (19-0-1 NC$$) and after
next weekend's series against Clarkson will face only Hockey East
opponents down the stretch.
 
There are some off-ice developments to report; the following
article appeared in The Maine Weekend, The Bangor Daily News weekend
edition (written by Larry Mahoney):
 
UM's Dunham won't return
 
Patrice Tardif is not giving it any thought right now.  Mike Dunham
has already made his decision.
The two University of Maine hockey standouts will have a year of
eligibility remaining after this season, but Dunham won't return and
 
Tardif will wait until after the season to make his decision.
 
"Towards the end of the summer, I made my decision," said
Dunham.  "I talked to my parents and a couple other people.  I
figured it was time to leave after this season.  I wanted to make my
decision before the season so that there wouldn't be any distractions
during the year.  I didn't want to be thinking about things like that.
I want to move on to the next level next year.  I got a taste of the
Olympics and the World Championships last year and I'm ready for the
next level."
 
Right Winger Tardif, a third round draft choice of the St. Louis
Blues in 1990, will attain his degree in accounting in May, but could
return to Maine next fall to begin working on his master's degree
and play one more year.
"I'm not thinking about it too much right now," said Tardif, who
is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 28 points on 11 goals
and 17 assists.  "I'm just trying to concentrate on playing hockey.
 I'll probably talk to the Blues after the season and we'll see what
happens from there."  He considers himself in a no-lose situation.
 
"It would be great to come back to start my master's degree.  That
would be very helpful," said Tardif.  "Starting a pro career would
be great, too.  It'll be nice either way."
 
Dunham hopes to wear the Red, White and Blue of the 1994
United States OlympicTeam or begin his pro career in the New Jersey
Devils organization.  Dunham was the first U.S. born goalie selected
 in the 1990 draft.  He was a third round pick of the Devils and the
53rd player chosen overall.
 
Dunham's status with the Olympic Team will probably depend
on whether or not there will be Dream Teams in the Olympics.  If
there are Dream Teams comprised of NHL players, he could find
himself competing against the likes of Pittsburgh Penguins
goalie Tom Barrasso, New York Rangers goalies Mike Richter and John
Vanbiesbrouck and New Jersey goalie Chris Terreri.
 
"The Dream Team situation is out of my hands," said Dunham.
"I've just got to wait and see what they decide to do.  I hope they
don't go with a Dream Team.  I'd like the opportunity to go
 
through that experience again."
 
Although he didn't get to play in the 1992 Olympics, Dunham
said he observed the goings-on and learned what is needed to be
done.  "There's so much world-wide attention, it's tough to do
anything without somebody being there to ask you something or ask
you to do something,"said Dunham.  "So you have to manage your
time properly and concentrate on what you're there to do."
 
Dunham has plenty of International experience.  He was the
all-tourney goalie at the World Junior Championships in Germany last
year and played on the U.S. team in the World Championshipsin
Czechoslovakia.  Tim Taylor, the 1994 U.S. Olympic coach, coached
him in the World Championships.
 
If he isn't on the Olympic team, he is prepared to begin his
pro career in Utica, NY.  That is New Jersey's AHL affiliate.
"I would expect to be in Utica at least one year," said Dunham.
"I've got to pay my dues.  I can't expect to go to the top right away."
 
Dunham is 13-0-0 this season with a 2.39 GAA and a .900 save
percentage.  He has won his last 19 starts.
 
End of article.
 
With the daparture of Dunham and Snow after this season, the
Bears will now look to current Freshman Greg Hirsch and Redshirt
Freshman Blair Marsh to fill their big shoes.  Hirsch has seen quite
 a bit of action this season(playing almost flawless in the 3rd Period
vs. Brown as well as earlier in the season vs. Merrimack)
 
 
 
I want to thank Mike for trying to jinx us with his timely article
mentioning UMaine approaching various marks for unbeaten streaks.  *grin*
But UMaine survived this by winning both the Cleveland Classic and the
Dexter Classic.  Now if we can just get by Clarkson...and BC...and UNH
and BU...  Its nice to look at what we have accomplished this season
 (Heck, we ARE unbeaten) BUT the most important games are yet to be
played.  It looks like its going to be a great second half.
 
 
Thats the news from Black Bear Country.
 
 
 
 
 
John Forsyth
UMaine Class of 199?
 
 
 
   The opinions above are mine.  Some will agree.  Many may disagree.
    But then, only the few are wise, while the many are foolish.
 
The #1 way you know you've hired a loser as your campaign manager:
The name "Dukakis" appears anywhere under "Previous Employers".
-David Letterman