I've been told by two independent sources (which hopefully puts this beyond just being a widely distributed rumor) that coach Paul Pooley has assured Providence that he intends to extend his contract. The original three year deal which brought Pooley to Providence expires this year. It is unclear if a new agreement has already been signed or will wait until later in the year. This would be great news for the Friar faithful whose biggest fear has been losing the coach who has returned the program to respectability. Pooley turned the program around in his first year, bringing the black and white all the way to the Hockey East championship game. Last year, the Friars, who were picked to finish 7th in the preseason coach's poll, took the next step by upsetting BU and Maine to earn their first HE championship since 1985, and an NC$$ bid. On another matter, a recent Providence Journal article on this year's pre-season coach's poll (which pegged the Friars for 5th) included quotes from BU's Jackie Parker that he expects Providence to do much better than that. What the article didn't say was who he would have moved down on the list. Did anyone who reads the Boston rags notice if they included more info on his picks? (I ask the question partially tongue in cheek, but you never know.) BTW, since he is the dean of HE coaches, and from their recent history and what I've seen of the team thus far this year, I'd have to agree with Mr. Parker, but then again, I'm biased. Finally, the 1996 Hockey East Championship banner will be raised Saturday prior to the team's league home opener vs Merrimack. --Bill HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.