John Haeussler writes:
> I just received a copy of John Gilbert's article on Jason Botterill
> that appeared in COLLEGE SPORTS [thank you Justin D!].
 and, after posting the lists he comments:
>
> Jeez...maybe they should have called the list the top 25 free agents
> from the CCHA, WCHA and Mass-Lowell. :-)
>
Keeping in mind that Gilbert is the Gopher hockey beat writer, let's take a
closer look.  # = player who played for or against Minnesota this year.
 
>   TOP 10 DRAFT-ELIGIBLE COLLEGIANS
> #   1. Jason Botterill, F, Michigan
>     2. Jeremy Brown, F, Western Michigan
> #   3. Brian LaFleur, D, Minnesota
> #   4. Kelly Hollingshead, D, Denver
>     5. Ashlin Halfnight, D, Harvard
> #   6. Tony Tuzzolino, F, Michigan State
> #   7. Blake Sloan, D, Michigan
> #   8. Mike Sancimino, F, Cornell
> #   9. Chris Frescoln, D, Michigan
> #  10. Jeff Mikesch, F, Michigan Tech
>
>   TOP 25 FREE AGENTS*
> #   1. Dwayne Roloson, G, Mass-Lowell
> #   2. Blaine Lacher, G, Lake Superior
> #   3. Greg Bullock, F, Mass-Lowell
>     4. Dean Fedorchuk, F, Alaska-Fairbanks
> #   5. Clayton Beddoes, F, Lake Superior
> #   6. Steve Guolla, F, Michigan State
> #   7. Jay McNeill, F, Colorado College
> #   8. Pat Mikesch, F, Michigan Tech
> #   9. Lee Schill, G, Alaska-Anchorage
> #  10. Marc Gagnon, F, St Cloud St
> #  11. Dean Seymour, F, Northern Michigan
> #  12. Justin McHugh, F, Minnesota
> #  13. Sean Reid, D, Colorado College
> #  14. Shane Henry, F, Mass-Lowell
> #  15. Keith Aldridge, D, Lake Superior
> #  16. Angelo Ricci, F, Denver
> #  17. Kelly Hultgren, D, St Cloud St
> #  18. Jody Jaraczewski, F, Colorado College
> #  19. Jamie Spencer, F, Wisconsin
> #  20. Mark Strobel, D, Wisconsin
> #  21. Ian Hebert, F, Mass-Lowell
> #  22. Blaine Moore, F, Wisconsin
> #  23. Ian DeCorby, D, Denver
> #  24. Jason Elders, F, Denver
>    25. Claude Morin, F, Kent State
>
>   * Players who were not drafted.  Some may be selected in
>     the NHL Supplemental Draft.
 
Of the 4 players listed who didn't play for/against the Gophers this year, one
played at Harvard, whom Gilbert would have been able to see play at the Phinal
Phour in St. Paul.
 
I would conclude that these lists should perhaps be re-titled by adding to the
end of the titles "that John Gilbert has seen play".  I suppose he can only
evaluate players he sees play, but I think it's an important qualification in
looking at the lists.
 
Pam Sweeney                            Go Gophers!!!
[log in to unmask]      1993 & 1994 WCHA Playoff Champions!!!
                                  1994 NC$$ PHinal PHour!!!
                                        Ski-U-Mah!!!