From Friday's USA Today: (I'm sending this on Friday a.m. I have a feeling
that there may be a problem w/ my Internet access, so I apologize if this
doesn't get posted until later.)
_Boston U. favored for another banner season_
"Terriers look to injured goalie for inspiration"
The main performer at Boston University's banner-hoisting celebration Sunday
will be a man who isn't supposed to be there, or anywhere else for a long
while.
Goaltender J.P. McKersie will raise the Hockey East tournament championship
banner at sold-out Walter Brown Arena three months after a bicycle accident
nearly took his life.
"It's an absolute miracle," says Boston University sports information
director Ed Carpenter. "The rehabilitaion was supposed to have taken six to
nine months. Instead, it has taken six to nine weeks."
McKersie, from Madison, Wis., slammed into a stationary car the night of July
27. He suffered extensive internal and head injuries and was in a coma for
several days before being sent home to Wisconsin to recuperate.
Much to the surprise of doctors, McKersie's recovery has been so rapid that
he will be allowed to return to school in January and begin rehabilitation
toward resuming his college career in 1995-96. He has been given a medical
redshirt for this season.
Sunday's game against Maine is a key one for the Terriers, who are No. 1 in
most polls. Derek Herlofsky, who shared goaltending duties with McKersie
last season, now begins the Hockey East season as the clear-cut No. 1.
__________________________________
League capsules:
_Hockey East_
Overview: Boston University probably has the best talent in college hockey.
Maine is still under NCAA investigation. Coach Shawn Walsh lost leading
scorer Mike Latendresse when the NCAA disallowed a redshirt-year claim. Paul
Pooley takes over as Providence coach after serving as assistant at Lake
Superior State. Look for him to make Providence a power by stressing team
defense.
Players to watch: BU C Jacques Joubert (20-24-44) and LW Jay Pandolfo (17-25-
42); Maine D Chris Imes (played last season for U.S. Olympic team);
Providence C Chad Quennville (22-18-40); Mass.-Lowell C Greg Bullock (24-35-
59); Northeastern RW J.F. Aube (28-15-43).
Flashy Freshmen: Boston University C Chris Drury, brother of Hartford Whalers
C Ted Drury, and D Jeff Kealty, a Quebec Nordiques' first-rounder; Mass.-
Amherst D Tom O'Connor.
P.S.: Maine, NCAA champion two years ago, doesn't have one returning forward
who scored 10 goals last year.
___________________________________________
_WCHA_
Overview: St. Cloud was picked by the coaches as the conference's No. 1 team
in the preseason. But Minnesota has excellent goaltending in Jeff Moen and
Jeff Callinan and plenty of depth. Also, Colorado College coach Don Lucia
has done a first-rate job of making the Tigers believe they can be
contenders. Arrival of coach George Gwozdecky, previously of Miami(Ohio),
should help the Denver program. Minnesota-Duluth has already lost defenseman
Rick Mrozik to a broken leg. He is out indefinitely.
Players to watch: Col. College C Jay McNeil (25-19-44), North Dakota RW
Landon Wilson (18-15-33), whose rights were traded to the Quebec Nordiques in
June; Minnesota C Brian Bonin (24-20-44); Alaska-Anchorage G Lee Schill (13-
15-2, 3.46 goals-against avg.).
Key freshman: North Dakota F Ryan Johnson, younger brother of Detroit Red
Wings F Greg Johnson.
P.S.: Colorado College's first-place finish was its first since 1957.
_____________________________________________
I'll send the CCHA and the ECAC a little later.
Chuck
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Chuck Sackett Wisconsin Badger Hockey!
Minneapolis, MN NCAA Champs: 1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990!!!
[log in to unmask] ON WISCONSIN!
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