Scott ([log in to unmask]) writes:
>... Included in the players committing to play for the Spartans next
>year was Chris Slater, touted as (one of) the best college-bound
>defensemen for next year, who selected MSU over Michigan (sorry John :-)
 
The name sounds familiar, but I can't place it.  Interesting choice,
considering State is a young team returning a BUNCH 'O TALENT and
Michigan is in desperate need of defense.  I imagine if he's as good
as he sounds, he can step in and play anywhere, but Michigan definitely
has openings for freshman defensemen.  The Blue loses 499 varsity games
at the blueline in Harlock, Neaton and Tamer.  Returning are five D's
with a combined 273 games of experience.  Only two of the five have
played night in and night out during their career (Halko and Ward).
 
Dr Charlie Shub writes:
>Former CC standout Bob Mancini, currently head coach at Michigan
>Technological University, Chuck Delich, the head coach at USAFA and
>Don Lucia, the head coach at Alaska-Fairbanks will interview with the
>CC search committee in the next 3 weeks.
 
I question the move for Mancini.  It may be the chance of a lifetime
for him, but it seems real tacky to leave MTU after one season.  This
is the guy that jumped Ferris for MTU in late summer/early fall last
year, leaving Ferris no time to do a national (or even comprehensive
regional) search for a head coach.  Yes, FSU's program is unstable,
but it was poor to jump ship that close to the season.  If Mancini
were to get the CC job, it would be his third head coaching position
in about 9 months.
 
In defense of Bob Daniels, who was promoted from assistant to head
coach at Ferris upon Mancini's bail, I'll add that he did a great job
in his first season behind the bench -- leading a shaky program with
very little offense to home ice in the CCHA first round (a sweep of
UAF), beating Michigan State at Joe Louis in the second round and
damn near knocking out Miami in the semis, losing 4-3 in an OT thriller.
 
  John H
  U Mich