Two topics, both from the perspective of a guy in Ann Arbor. ACADEMICS Let me first thank Mike Machnik for opening this discussion. I think most people on this list will attest that the student side of "student-athlete" is too often overlooked. Mike mentioned the academic success among the Merrimack players and concluded with: >I'd also be happy to hear about other programs that have been >proud to have the same type of success in school and on the ice. >I know they are out there, and they deserve mention too. It just so happens that Michigan is not only blessed with an outstanding team on the ice, it also features an outstanding group in the classroom. I won't mention the entire roster, but I'll highlight a few focusing on the veterans: Jason Botterill...SR...1995-96 GTE Academic All-America Second Team (men's Fall/Winter sports)...1995-96 CCHA All-Academic... 1994-95 CCHA All-Academic Honorable Mention...majoring in economics...finished high school in three years Peter Bourke...SR...majoring in business and marketing Justin Clark...SO...a mental giant in the making...honor roll student Greg Daddario...SO...Cum Laude graduate of Loomis Chaffee Prep Chris Fox...JR...1995-96 Academic All-Big Ten (men's at-large)... pre-med major Chris Frescoln...SR...majoring in history...planning to attend law school Matt Herr...JR...majoring in psychology Warren Luhning...SR...1995-96 CCHA All-Academic Honorable Mention...majoring in economics Gregg Malicke...JR...1995-96 Academic All-Big Ten (men's at large) ...pilot...plans to serve as pilot in the military Brendan Morrison...SR...majoring in economics Harold Schock...SR...1995-96 Academic All-Big Ten (men's at large) ...pre-med major Blake Sloan...SR...majoring in english...recently received college hockey's Humanitarian Award All nine of Michigan's seniors are on schedule to graduate this semester or in Spring/Summer of this year. Fwiw, 1995-96 senior captain Steven Halko, an engineer turned mathematics major, returned to Ann Arbor from Cincinnati following the NCAA championship and took one of his final exams (Euclidean Geometry, I believe) on Sunday, the following day. 1997 HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD Jeez, I thought I was going to avoid doing this... I'm obviously biased, but I honestly feel that Brendan Morrison is the overwhelming choice for the Hobey. He's an excellent student. He's not the genius that Botterill is, but he's doing well as an Economics major at one of the more highly regarded academic institutions in the country. He involves himself with other members of the team in community projects, including visiting UM's childrens hospital. I think his comments following the NCAA championship game last season, when he said that the NCAA title was not just for the 1995-96 Wolverines but for all those who had worn the maize and blue and helped to bring the program to where it is today...I think that alone says enough about his character. If you want to go onto the ice, it's nearly impossible to compare with Morrison's resume: 1994-95 & 1995-96 Hobey Baker finalist 1994-95 & 1995-96 First Team All-America (West) 1995-96 CCHA Player of the Year 1993-94 CCHA Rookie of the Year 1995-96 US College Hockey Player of the Year (The Hockey News) 1995-96 Men's Ice Hockey Athlete of the Year (College Sports Mag) 1995-96 NCAA Championship's Most Outstanding Player University of Michigan all-time scoring leader (95-171--266) scored game-winning goal in 1996 NCAA semifinal game and 1996 NCAA championship game Morrison led the nation in assists and points as a sophomore. He scored 72 points in 35 games as a junior despite a pre- season knee injury and a mid-season wrist injury that forced him to wear a cast from that point on. Take a look at the post- game photos from Cinci...he scored the national championship winning goal with a sizeable cast on his wrist. Having your wrist immobilized is fairly inconvenient for any player, let alone a playmaker of Morrison's caliber. Simply stated, he's the best player on the best team. He arguably gets less ice time than every other Hobey candidate due to the talent on UM's roster. He's a solid two-way player... used on the penalty kill, manning the point on the power play which frequently places him in a defenseman role, aggressive back-checker, strong faceoff man, I could go on and on. IMO, Brendan Morrison clearly deserves the 1997 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. John Haeussler ([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.