Rumor has it that Lowell has hired (former?) Maine assistant Bruce Crowder (a former Boston Bruin and former UNH Wildcat) as an assistant to Bill Riley for this season. In answer to the question of why Crowder would leave as great a job as the Maine one for another assistant's job, consider that Riley has already announced his intention to step down after the 1990-91 season. I think that part of Crowder's deal would be that he takes over for Riley in '91. This would be a smart move because not only would it allow Lowell to get the man they obviously want, but it would make for a smooth transition with Crowder already knowing the Lowell program well after a year at Riley's side. I actually haven't read or heard that Crowder has made the switch to Lowell, but my better half Chris told me last night that she heard this reported on the radio. Maybe someone else, particularly in Maine, can confirm or deny this. She was surprised that she got some hockey news before me :-). - mike p.s. Charlie Shub - I saw your letter in Comm. of the ACM today and I said, "Hey, that guy's on our list!" :-)