Here's an article from the Minnesota Daily in this morning's issue. And I'm
hoping that the "block" that is holding up all the Hockey-L mail that
I'm NOT getting is fixed real soon!!! (no mail received here since late Wed.)
-Carol
GO Gophers!!!
Only 8 more days till the GRAND OPENING!!!
 
Headline: U players pursue Olympic dream
Publish Date: 08/13/1993
By Pardhu Vadlamudi
Staff Reporter
 
For many Minnesota hockey players, the dream of an Olympic gold medal
still lives on even 13 years after the last U.S. medal in the sport.
 
Two Gopher players and a former Gopher were among six Minnesotans
selected for the 1994 U.S. Olympic team's preliminary roster.
 
The 23-player squad will play a six-month exhibition schedule prior
to the Olympic Games Feb. 12-27 in Lillehammer, Norway.
 
``It's a great feeling,'' Gopher forward Craig Johnson said by phone
from Cromwell, Conn., site of the Olympic trials. ``It's always been
a dream of mine to play for the Olympic team since 1980.''
 
Johnson, of St. Paul and Hill-Murray High School, along with teammate
Darby Hendrickson and former Gopher Travis Richards were three of the
four Gopher players to try out for the U.S. squad and who made the
initial cut.
 
Jeff Nielsen was also invited to the two-week selection camp at the
Tri-Town Sports Center but was one of 12 players who didn't make the
team.
 
The other Minnesotans on the national team are Chris Imes of
Birchdale and University of Maine, Derek Plante of Cloquet and
University of Minnesota, Duluth and Brett Hauer of Richfield and
University of Minnesota, Duluth.
 
Johnson, Nielsen and Richards, who signed a minor league contract
with the Dallas Stars in April, were the Gophers' top three scorers
last season.
 
Hendrickson, of Richfield, missed 11 games with a separated shoulder
but finished the season with 27 points. Johnson had 46 points in 42
games.
 
``Over the past couple of years we've lost five or six guys early,
and our offense has been our defense in guys like Richards, (Chris)
McAlpine, (Larry) Olimb and (Trent) Klatt,'' Gopher coach Doug Woog
said.
 
Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining and Hendrickson still
has two years left but neither has indicated whether they will return
to Minnesota after the Olympics next spring.
 
``Craig elevated his game offensively and defensively,'' Woog said.
``He made a big jump from good to great, and I think Darby would have
made that jump too.''
 
Hendrickson said this U.S. squad may be one of the fastest teams
assembled and one suited for the wide-open skating style required to
compete on the larger European rinks.
 
``We have 184 days until the Olympics,'' Hendrickson said. ``It's a
real good team, and it's a neat thing to train with these guys.''
 
The team announced Wednesday features 19 collegiate players, four
minor-league professionals and two major junior players. The team
will play 50 pre-Olympic Games, beginning its tour when it leaves for
Europe on Monday.
 
``We put an emphasis on speed, skill and (hockey) sense in selecting
this hockey team,'' Yale University and U.S. Olympic coach Tim Taylor
said.
 
Woog, who is entering his ninth season, will open the new Mariucci
Arena without some key players who helped capture the WCHA playoff
title for the first time last season.
 
``You can talk in theory all you want and hope the other guys step
up,'' Woog said. ``But you'll miss them when the games begin because
they played key roles.''
 
Gopher notes: The Gophers will face the U.S. squad Oct. 27 at the
Target Center.
 
Carol S. White                            BITNET: c-whit@uminn1
University of Minnesota        internet:[log in to unmask]
Office of the Registrar
(612) 625-8517                                    GO Gophers!!!