I thought people might be interested to see what's going to happen to the Maine team from this year. With the combination of Olympics and graduation, as well as pros, the Black Bears will be doing a big rebuilding job next year, I think. Under each position, I've listed the players who have seen a significant amount of time this season. GOAL Graduating (1): Garth Snow Olympics (1): junior Mike Dunham Returning (0): only freshman Greg Hirsch has seen any time, and behind Snow and Dunham, it wasn't much. Dunham had already announced his intent to leave whether it be to the Olympics or the pros. DEFENSE Graduating (1): Dan Murphy Turned pro (1): junior Matt Martin Olympics (1): junior Chris Imes Returning (4): soph Andy Silverman, jr Jason Weinrich, soph Dave MacIsaac, junior Lee Saunders FORWARD Graduating (5): Dave LaCouture, Eric Fenton, Jim Montgomery, Kent Salfi, Martin Mercier Olympics (3): freshmen Paul Kariya, Chris Ferraro, Peter Ferraro Returning (4): soph Mike Latendresse, jr Patrice Tardif, jr Justin Tomberlin, jr Cal Ingraham There are a handful of players who have seen limited time this year, such as Fs Jamie Thompson (16 GP, 3-1--4), Chuck Texeira (11 GP, 1-3--4), Brad Purdie (18 GP, 3-7--10), and D Jack Rodrigue (2 GP, 0-2--2). Stats were through the end of the regular season, I don't think any of these four saw much playoff action if any. In short, if all of the players who have a solid chance at the Olympics do make it (Imes, Kariya, Ferraros), then Maine effectively will play much of 1993-94 with the following number of players with experience (barring further defections): 0 G, 4 D, 4 F Easy to see why this was the year for Maine! Just how long the four potential Olympians spend away from Orono will likely dictate what kind of success Maine will have next season. Also key will be the ability of the recruits to step in and play as well as the limited time players. They're definitely going to get a chance to show what they can do. Since 5 of those 8 players (among the 4 D/4 F) will be seniors next year and Kariya, Imes and the Ferraros very well may be all gone to the NHL by September 1994, Maine will be a VERY young team in 94-95 too. I'd be interested to hear anything about Maine recruits for next year...the only name I recall hearing is Trevor Roenick who I haven't seen, but reports were that he isn't as dominating as his brother...what's his name? :-) Wonder who'll be the preseason #1 next year...Michigan? Harvard? LSSU? Out of Hockey East, Jim Love and Chris Craig might groan at my having hexed them, but I think UNH could be the strongest team returning with their immensely talented incoming recruits as well. Strong freshman classes will be the key to Maine and BU remaining among the upper echelon of the league. As for Merrimack, we have glowing reports of the new recruits at all positions as being players who can step in and make an immediate impact in HE, so with 11 experienced players coming back (including a transfer D), that will also be the key to Merrimack continuing its upward swing and making a bid for home ice. I'll post a list of recruits when it is released. --- Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] Color Voice of the Merrimack Warriors alternate address days: [log in to unmask] *HMN* 11/13/93 (Any opinions expressed above are strictly those of the poster.)