Dan Plante, until very recently a Wisconsin Badger, continues to impress with the NY Islander organization. Last week Plante scored his first professional goal in an exhibition game against the Boston Bruins played at Albany's Knickerbocker Arena. And today's Newsday, in an article title "Isles Find a Home for Plante", reports that Plante was included in the 35 man roster for the exhibition season. According to Al Arbour "I'm pleased with him. He's a grinder, a mucker. He finishes his checks and gets involved." Plante is apparently fighting for a job on the fourth line, next to designated goon Mick Vukota. Plante seems willing to take the role, having faced of with ex-Maine player Scott Pellerin, in an exhibition game against the Devils on Saturday. The article adds that Plante hails from Hayward, Wisconsin, home of the Lumberjack Olympics, an old staple of ABC's Wide World of Sports. In 1989 and 1990 he finished seventh and eighth respectively. Also, Newsday reports that the Rangers have sent down Jon Hillebrandt (formerly Michigan Tech?) and James Lavish to their Binghamton AHL team. Would that be Jamie Lavish, formerly of Yale? _ "NYS // Hockey" Go 'Gate // Brian Morris Go RPI // Albany, NY ______// [log in to unmask] (______/