(from Larry Mahoney's BDN article 02/01)
 
Matthias Trattnig, considered by St. Louis Bules scout Matt Keator to be a
"highly skilled [hockey] player who is one of the most sought after in the
East this year," has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine.
 
Jim Salfi, father of former Bear forward Kent Salfi and Trattnig's coach,
verified that Trattnig has accepted a scholarship to Maine.  He was also
recruited by Bowling Green, RPI, UMass-Lowell and Boston University, said Salfi.
 
Due to NCAA regulations, the Maine coaching staff isn't allowed to comment
on Trattnight.
 
The 6-foot-2 200-pound Trattnig, a native of Graz, Austria, playes for
Salfi's Capital District (NY) Select team and has 28 goals and 42 assists in
41 games.
 
"He has excellent speend and he's very deceptive.  He has a couple of
gears," said Jim Salfi, who is using him at center, but said he can also
play wing.  "He plays a very physical game and has good puck control.  he
can pass the puck very well on the backhand as well as on the forehand."
 
"His stock has risen in the last month or so," said Keator.  "He has speed,
skill and some size and he can play at a high temp.  He has draft potential.
He's going to be a good college player."
 
Trattnig, who will turn 18 in April, won't be eligible for the NHL draft
unil 1998.
 
-- end of article --