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From: [log in to unmask] at EXTERNAL
Date: 4/16/99 5:32PM
*To: [log in to unmask] at EXTERNAL
cc: Mike Welvaert at W-CR-ARX
Subject: Goren to stay at UND
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Good news for Sioux fans. Didn't see this posted yet.... excerpts
below from last Thursday's copy of the Grand Forks Herald.
Lee Goren bypasses pros, returns to UND
Lee Goren, UND's second-leading goal scorer this season, said on
Wednesday that he will return to the Fighting Sioux hockey team next
season rather than turn pro.
Goren, who'll be a senior in playing eligibility, had thought about
leaving school to sign with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Goren,
from Winnipeg, was Boston's third-round draft pick in 1997.
One factor in Goren's decision was coach Dean Blais, who
recently signed a five-year contract to stay with the Sioux.
"With that big contract, the coach made a commitment to us," Goren
said. "I figure the least we can do is turn around and commit to him."
Goren is coming off his finest season at UND, scoring 26 goals and
adding 19 assists. His 45 points was fifth best on the team and his 26
goals trailed only the 29 scored by Hobey Baker finalist Jason Blake.
With eight senior graduating, the return of Goren is good news for the
Sioux, who'll be seeking their record-setting fourth straight Western
Collegiate Hockey Association championship.
Goren earned all-WCHA third team honors this season. He also was
named the WCHA Player of the Week once and was the MVP of
the Winter Carnival in Houghton, Mich., following a two-game Sioux
sweep there.
A healthy Goren enjoyed a tremendous jump in his statistics this
season after a shoulder injury and mononucleosis combined to limit
his success in his rookie season.
The 1997-98 season was expected to be Goren's breakthrough year
at UND. Goren was the WCHA coaches' choice as pre-season
league Rookie of the Year that season, but he struggled the entire
year.
This year was far different for Goren. He tied for fifth in WCHA
scoring and recorded career bests in games played, goals, assists,
points, power-play goals and game-winning goals.
"This was the type of year I expected to have my first year here,"
Goren said, "but things just didn't work out."
They did this past season. His nine power-play goals tied was tops
for the Sioux, as were his six game-winning goals.
Goren, who missed the WCHA Final Five tournament with a severe
skate cut above his knee, scored UND's only goal in the NCAA
West Regional 3-1 loss to Boston College which ended the Sioux
season.
Goren finished the year with a 14-game scoring streak, tying Blake
for the season's longest.
Goren, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wing, will give UND two 40-point
scorers returning for next season, junior-to-be center Jeff Panzer (21
goals, 26 assists) the other.
Mike Welvaert, UND '90
GO SIOUX...WHY NOT IN DOUBLE-NAUGHT?!?!
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