The Friday (6/21/96) Minnesota Daily had an article about Duluth AD (and
WCHA commish) Bruce McLeod "Duluth AD gets caught" which is an AP story, so
I can't post it here.  Its URL is:
http://www.daily.umn.edu/daily/1996/06/21/sports/apumd/
 
It says that the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Wednesday that McLeod
was investigated for witness tampering and bribery for conversations (taped
by authorities) he had with a student who was a victim of sexual assault by
a hockey player.  (NOT a UMD hockey player;  a Russian player who was
living at UMD while awaiting the NHL draft as part of a deal with his
agents who would give UMD info about European players eligible for college
play.)  The player pled guilty and no charges were filed against McLeod,
although the police lieutenant said there was a good case.
 
The Daily also had an article, attached below, entitled "Hockey assistant,
two players might leave U"
        Guentzel candidate for Omaha job
        Rasmussen expected to be picked in first round of NHL draft
        Crowley an Anaheim pick
 
Hockey assistant, two players might leave U
 
Matthew Cross - Staff Reporter
 
The Gophers hockey team is in slight danger of losing three major
components to last season's squad. There is a possibility, however, that
all three will be back.
 
First, assistant coach Mike Guentzel has interviewed for the head coaching
job at Nebraska-Omaha. He is one of four applicants, two of whom will be
interviewed next week.
 
Guentzel, who is considered by many coaches in the WCHA to be one of the
best assistants in the country, will be a top candidate for the job.
 
Former Minnesota Moose coach Frank Serratore is also among those being
considered for the job.
[Serratore was also head coach at Denver -- PJS]
 
If offered the position, Guentzel said he isn't sure that he'll take it.
 
"I haven't made that decision yet," he said. "I went down there because I'm
interested. I think it's a good opportunity, but I don't want to get into
`yes' or `no' right now. I just got back, and I still have to discuss it
with my family. I'll know more by the end of next week."
 
The second loss might come via the NHL draft, which is Saturday. Gophers
forward Erik Rasmussen, who scored 16 goals and notched 32 assists for 48
total points last season during his freshman year, is expected to be picked
very high in the draft.
 
"He's going to get taken in the first round," Guentzel said. "I'm sure
there's some secret stuff going on, but I would expect him to be taken
anywhere between fourth and 15th overall."
 
Rasmussen was third on Minnesota's squad in scoring last season behind
Hobey Baker Award winner Brian Bonin, who had 81 points, and All-America
defenseman Mike Crowley, who had 63 points.
 
But even if Rasmussen gets drafted in the first round, he might stay with
the Gophers. That will depend on which team picks him, how much that squad
needs him to play right away and how much money he is offered.
 
If Rasmussen is drafted high, he will be offered somewhere in the $400,000
range.
 
And, as Guentzel said, "Money talks."
 
Crowley remembers the day two years ago when he was drafted by the
Philadelphia Flyers. His rights have since been traded to the Anaheim
Mighty Ducks.
 
"(Rasmussen) is in a great situation, and it's going to be a very memorable
day for him," Crowley said. "But I talked to him recently, and I think he's
going to be back at the U."
 
Crowley said Rasmussen knows he needs to work on getting stronger before he
can tackle the NHL.
 
Many rumors have aired about Crowley himself getting an offer he can't
refuse. He broke single-season Minnesota records last year in points by a
defenseman (63) and assists by a defenseman (46), and his 17 goals put him
second behind Randy Skarda (19) in goals by a defenseman.
 
Although Crowley has the option, he doesn't think he's going anywhere.
 
"I've talked to (Anaheim), but money has never been on the table," he said.
"A player has to ask for a contract and as of today, I'm going to be back
here. We'll see how the draft goes."
 
 
Pam Sweeney
Go Gophers!!!
Ski-U-Mah!!!
 
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