(Info from Ken Campbell's article in Hockey World)
 
When Gregor Baumgartner plays in his first game for Clarkson University the 16 year old will be the youngest known player in history to play Division I college hockey. The youngest to this point was Craig Simpson, who was a 16 year old freshman at Michigan State, but turned 17 during his first season.
 
But this is no ordinary 16 year old.
 
As a 14 year old  the center left his family in Austria to play in Ste-Foy Que. By the time he reached his 16th birthday Baumgartner had mastered English and French to go along with his native German. He graduated from an English high school in Quebec City and was one of the most sought after midget players in the province.
 
Had the 6-foot-1, 185 pound forward been eligible for the Quebec draft this season, theres a good chance he would have gone first overall.  But the Canadian Hockey league ruled him an import player, which meant he wouldn't be eligible for the import draft until next season.
 
Clarkson was able to sign Baumgartner before junior hockey got him.
 
Baumgartner will turn 18 in time for the 1997 draft, but if the opt-in rules remain the same for US college players, he won't be eligible untill 1998. THat will give him three years to complete his four-year business degree, something he plans to do.
 
Another recuiting feather in the cap of Clarkson coach Mark Morris.
 
 
 
Pat Keenan
Clarkson '83
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