MICHIGAN NETMINDERS
Kristen Robinson wrote...
>Chris Gordon, a high school classmate of mine, was redshirted for a year
>before he became Shields's backup, so he wasn't really a freshman either.
 
This is incorrect.  Chris Gordon may have graduated HS in
1988, but he spent 1988-89 and 1989-90 in the USHL with the
Omaha Lancers.  He and Steve Shields were true freshman
at Michigan in 1990-91.  Fwiw...I believe Gordon was 95% of
the way to becoming a freshman at Lake Superior in 1989-90,
the same season that saw Darrin Madeley begin his spectacular
three-year career in the Laker nets.  Gordon pulled out of
LSSU at the last moment.  As a Michigan fan, I'm thrilled that
Chris decided to spend four years in Ann Arbor.  He's a
quality player and person.
 
And, to piece together what has been said in several parts
on Hockey-L recently, Michigan's current junior goaltending
tandem of Marty Turco and Gregg Malicke did not arrive
together ala Shields and Gordon.  If I recall, Turco signed his
letter of intent during the early signing period of Shields' and
Gordon's senior season.  So, with the departure of UM's #1
and #2 netminders, the Wolverines did know that they had
Turco coming in and #3 Al Loges returning for his senior season.
Malicke falls into the present surprise category.  He appeared
in seven games as a freshman at Clarkson in 1993-94.  His
numbers were very unimpressive, but he was nonetheless
penciled in to be the Golden Knight's #1 in 1994-95, with incoming
freshman Dan Murphy backing him up.  However, Malicke
made a late (August 1994?) decision to transfer to Michigan
after one year at Clarkson.  He sat out 1994-95 due to the
transfer (Turco and Loges manned the UM nets), and has
been a very dependable backup to Turco the past two
seasons.  Malicke's career numbers at Michigan: 19 GP,
496 min, 2-0-1, 1.57, .922.  His three career starts (and decisions)
include a tie with Ohio State and wins over Brown and Notre
Dame.
 
Sophomore Greg Daddario, a walk-on at UM, has been the
#3 'tender behind Turco and Malicke the past two seasons.
Daddario has yet to see anything but mop-up time, but the fan
favorite has yet to allow a goal in 25:21 over four games played.
He's made six saves.
 
GLEN KEENEY
A recent poster attempting to locate Glen Keeney's e-mail
address for the Hockey-L poll had Glen at "umich.edu" rather
than "msu.edu."  I'd be thrilled to count Glen among the maize
and blue backers!  He's definitely one of the good guys.
 
HOBEY
A few people have mistaken my recent post lauding Michigan's
Brendan Morrison for the Hobey as a statement that Morrison
WILL win the Hobey.  Not so.  I think he SHOULD win the Hobey,
but I've seen many stranger things happen.  I wish the Hobey
folks would decide on the relative importance of career achievement,
though.  (I'm assume this is something for each individual voter
to weigh as they see fit.)  Clarkson's Todd White is having his
second consecutive outstanding season.  He could well follow
names like Paul Kariya and Chris Marinucci as Hobey winners
who have had 1-2 impact years.  Unfortunately, players who were
superstars their entire career, such as Jim Montgomery, Nelson
Emerson and Morrison, are often overlooked.  The last Hobey
winner that, IMO, seemed to get the award based more on career
achievement than having an outstanding season in their winning
year was Scott Pellerin.
 
Who is the best player in the nation THIS season?  I could argue
for Morrison, White and BU's Chris Drury among others.  Frankly,
viewing the ECAC from a distance, I'd say that Union's Trevor
Koenig deserves the ECAC Player of the Year Award as much
as White if not more.  My point is, several players fit the bill as
being the NCAA's best in 1996-97.  Now, compare that group
based on what they've done off the ice -- in the lockeroom, in
the classroom, in their community -- and what they've accomplished
in their collegiate career both on and off the ice.  IMO, you won't
find a candidate that compares to Morrison.
 
None of what I said implies that Morrison WILL win it, however.
 
 
John Haeussler ([log in to unmask])
 
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