Steve Cedorchuk's explanation (he always had a few ready for anyone willing to listen) for the demise of B.C. hockey was the lengthy interim between Ceglarski's announced retirement (March 20, 1991) and Cedorchuk's hiring (Feb. 25, 1992). Cedorchuk claimed that he lost an entire recruiting season to the lengthy search - players were reluctant to commit until a new head coach was named. The recruits that Cedorchuk did get comprise the current junior class, including Don Chase, David Hymovitz and Tom Ashe. Not a bad trio, but really the only established players in their class. I have heard a few stories accusing Cedorchuk of playing favorites and, as a result, alienating many players on the team before he left. One storyhas it that he called the entire power play unit in to watch film and demand that they give the puck to (then freshman) Greg Callahan on the point - a player who many Eagles felt was not ready for power play duty, but whose family was close friends with the Cedorchuks. Then there is the scholarship problem. Previous postings regarding Todd Hall are in accord with the rumors I've heard, plus the Globe has written several stories indicating the extent of the alleged scholarship mismanagement. The Eagles reportedly only have five scholarships to distribute to recruits over the next two years and will lose 13 players or so to graduation in that period. You can imagine that Jerry York has to do some fast talking and hope for some key walk-on players. Lastly, the timing for the Eagles recruiting problems couldn't have been worse. With UMass-Amherst joining Hockey East, UMass-Lowell and Merrimack continuing to improve and the increasing number of American players who go to play Major Junior rather than college, there aren't as many bodies in Mass. for the traditionally Bay State-oriented Eagles to recruit. These theories are based on conversations I've had with Cedorchuk and local college hockey observers. I don't proclaim to know much more than what I've said here. Geoff Howell The Trenton Times Drop the Puck