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!!!