It's official. Dan Hodge, son of former Boston Bruin Ken Hodge Sr. and brother of current Bruin Ken Jr., and a Bruins draft pick himself, will be returning to the Merrimack blueline this fall as a sophomore after a year playing in the USHL. Hodge had 2 goals and 3 assists in the first 11 games of 1990-91 as a freshman before a wrist injury sidelined him for the rest of the season; then, he went West to play for a year. Although Hodge only played a third of that season, there was only one other Merrimack defenseman who scored more goals *the entire year* - Claude Maillet (3). Hodge's return and the addition of a couple of D's who like to shoot the puck, one being Hodge's teammate from the USHL, means Merrimack will have its most offensive-minded set of blueliners since the 1987-88 team which made the NC$$ quarterfinals. The Warriors will also have just about the most experienced defense in Hockey East with almost everyone returning, and this should strengthen the D even more with so many talented newcomers bidding for jobs. Fans who have suffered through those 11-4 losses to Providence and 8-0 losses to BU may have a lot more to cheer for this season and a lot more to look forward to in the way of exciting, low-scoring games. - mike