Rich Delano writes:
>I've just heard that former Merrimack captain Dan Hodge has signed with the
>Boston Bruins.  He'll be the third in a line of the Hodge family to play
>for them if he were to make the team.  Hopefully he'll turn out better than
>Ken Jr.
 
I hadn't heard this, but thanks for the news.  Danny was drafted by
the Bruins a few years ago, in 1991 I believe.
 
Danny has a good shot from the point and is a solid defenseman.  He
wasn't too good defensively when he came in, but he worked hard on
that aspect of his game and got much better as he went along.  By the
time he graduated, he was as dependable a defenseman as you could
have.
 
I think it would take a lot for him to be a longterm NHL defenseman,
but he's got a shot and should at least enjoy a cup of coffee at some
point with the big club.  He can certainly be a contributor for the
Providence Bruins as long as he remains healthy.
 
Ken Jr did have some good seasons with Boston, including winning the
7th Player - but he came in as a bonafide star from Boston College.  If
Danny were to duplicate even that, I think it would be more than
anyone has a right to expect from him.  But I wish him the best.
 
>Anybody have his career stats from Merrimack?  Didn't he also play a year
>in the USHL?  If so, anyone have those stats as well?
 
Last year for Merrimack: 3-5--8 in 20 GP, 9/18 PIM, 2 PPGs.  Missed
the first half of the season due to academic probation.
 
Career at MC: 17-47--64, don't have GP on hand but he actually played
college hockey only about 3 years out of the last 5.  1990-91 he
started as a freshman and broke his wrist 10 games in or so.  91-92 he
played in the USHL (don't have stats on hand).  92-93 he returned to MC
as a sophomore, played through 94-95.
 
And as I said, he missed the first half of 94-95.  That late start
hurt him last season and it seemed that he never really got going.  He
was most valuable on the power play with his hard shot from the point.
 
From the team standpoint, other players benefitted because they got to
play and prove themselves during the time he was out.  That will be
key since he and Cornforth have graduated.  That additional experience
will pay off next season as players like Jakopin and McKenna take over
the reins of one of the better defensive clubs in HE.
 
I was concerned about the upcoming loss of the two veterans until
last December's two-game set with Maine in which Merrimack was without
Cornforth (injury) and Hodge, and gave up only four goals through 120
minutes of play until Maine scored two quick goals in the final
minutes to post a 3-1 win in the second game.  That was while playing
six underclassman Ds who will all return this season.
---                                                                   ---
Mike Machnik                                            [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc.                                    *HMM* 11/13/93
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