Gophers 1996-97 The Gophers return a tremendously strong team from last year, with enough talent to field two division one teams. There is unbelievable depth and talent on this team, as I'm sure all the players are aware of. It is very difficult to imagine any team getting close to this years Gophers. That said what is written below is one persons very unprofessional assessment of the players on this years roster. Let me say beforehand to the gopher fans waiting to flame, that any critical assessment may have a tinge of criticism, and as everybody on the listserve knows, over gushing on the talents of each and every player not only is boring but inconsequential. The Very Good The gophers return two players better than last year's Hobey Baker winner Brian Bonin. Mike Crowley the brilliant record setting defenseman from Bloomington and Erik Rasmussen. MIke Crowley: Paired with Dan Trebil last year, this combination was the best pair of defense in college hockey since Cris Chelios and Gary Suter were at Wisconsin. Dominating player who has everybody shaking their head as to why he has returned. Nobody can answer the question of what he has yet to learn at this level of hockey. Hope Woog doesn't tell him to "rough it up" a little bit. A real joy to watch with remarkable, I-can't-believe-I'm-saying-this, "hockey instincts". Erik Rasmussen- Another player who has little to gain,hockeywise, by staying at Minnesota. He was seventh overall in this year's draft turning down a big pro contract. He came on very strong at the end of last year, dominating play in front of the net. Strong and agile, has all the characteristics for pro hockey, can't miss kid if he stays healthy. Dave Spehar- He has never played a game of college hockey, but it is difficult to believe he won't become the player everybody expects. The most highly anticipated high school hockey player since George Palawa out of Bemiji. Set unofficial career state scoring records. He is by now used to drawing a crowd and working to get the puck where he wants it. Could not have done more as a prep player. The Good Ryan Kraft- Cannot mention his name without the word "skill" following shortly behind. Tremendous control of the puck, speed and team concept. I wouldn't say he improved a great deal from his Freshman to Sophomore year. Needs to overcome the Woog curse of having four years that statistically look equal. He may need to do what Brian Bonin did,i.e. to become more selfish with shooting the puck. Casey Hankinson-Fans, and perhaps Woog expectation is that he play like his brother Ben. My guess is that his game is best when it is closer to his brother Peter's intelligent style of play. Entertaining, very good overall hockey playing abilities, likes to mess with goaltenders. Regie Berg- Had an excellent Freshman season. Second on the team in goals scored with 23; none of which I can remember. I doubt if Reggie though cares about memorable goals. It will be even more impressive if he is able to equal his Freshman season totals. Steve Debus- I believe he is the only 22 year old to ever win the Rookie of Year Award in the WCHA. Now 23 and listed as a....a Junior, he should be not only able to take on leadership duty, but be an assistant coach further on in his college career. The Enigmas Nick Checco- Former Minnesota Mr. Hockey who seems to hibernate like a bear until March. Have to hand it to him however, it is better to have a great March than it is a great October. Excellent at taking it end to end only to have the puck poke checked away at the last possible moment. Dan Woog- You have to feel a little sorry for Dan. As the talent pool for the gophers has increased every year, Dan abilities seem to pale in comparison. This wouldn't be at all noticeable on any other team except for the fact that Dad likes to put him on power plays. Dan is also capable of taking a stupid two every now and again. Brian LeFleur, Dan Hendrickson, Brett Abrahamson- yeah...... enigmas also Billy Kohn, Wyatt Smith,speedy, and Brent Godbout. Newcomers-Rachel Blount, columnist from the local Minneapolis Star and Tribune recently brilliantly wrote that the Gophers would have to make up for the scoring loss of Brian Bonin, Dave Larson and Jay Moser. David Spehar, already mentioned above, could make fans forget Bonin, and 7 of the 8 remaining newcomers to the Gophers can make up for the scoring of Larson and Moser. Unfairly, Spehar comes out of Duluth East with expectations exceeding any high schooler to come to the Gophers in recent memory. Mike Lyons- One of the few, Joe Dietzik the other, city players recruited by Woog, who favors kids from the Southwest suburbs. From the same neighborhood as the Strobels formerly from Wisconsin, Chad Remakel formerly of Colorado College, and Randy Best and Jay Geisbauer of St. Cloud State. Even tempered quality individual on and off the ice who will work hard and is sure do well. Ben Clymer- Highly touted. Rico Pagel- I don't know anything about him, but I like his name. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.