Mike Machnik <[log in to unmask]> writes: >That ranks Jakopin as the second biggest defenseman in DivI...second to= > teammate Steve McKenna at 6'8", 235. It's pretty unusual to be as big as= > Jakopin is and still not be the biggest guy on your own team. :-) It's been interesting watching these two 'grow up' together. McKenna came in as a project and Jakopin came in as an NHL draft pick (Detroit?). IMHO, Jakopin hasn't improved a lick while McKenna's blown by him as Mike says here: > McKenna, now a= > captain as a junior, has improved so much at both ends that he deserves to= > be considered one of the better Ds in HE and also an NHL prospect - there= > may be none better in HE defensively, and although he is not flashy with= > the puck, he has developed a good burst of speed that is deceptive given= > his size. Few players man the point better than him in terms of being able= > to keep the puck in the zone, stopping a clear attempt and putting the puck= > right on net, and getting back quickly on a transition by the other team. = Steve has definitely developed a VERY deceptive burst of speed going up-ice. He's aided greatly by his wingspan--he can carry the puck well away from anyone's poke check. If there is anything that will keep Steve out of the pros it's his COMPLETE lack of a slapshot. You'd swear he had a pillow on the end of his stick! Cheers, rand -- Rand P. Hall, Manager of Systems and Networking Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, USA [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.