MICHIGAN NETMINDERS Kristen Robinson wrote... >Chris Gordon, a high school classmate of mine, was redshirted for a year >before he became Shields's backup, so he wasn't really a freshman either. This is incorrect. Chris Gordon may have graduated HS in 1988, but he spent 1988-89 and 1989-90 in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers. He and Steve Shields were true freshman at Michigan in 1990-91. Fwiw...I believe Gordon was 95% of the way to becoming a freshman at Lake Superior in 1989-90, the same season that saw Darrin Madeley begin his spectacular three-year career in the Laker nets. Gordon pulled out of LSSU at the last moment. As a Michigan fan, I'm thrilled that Chris decided to spend four years in Ann Arbor. He's a quality player and person. And, to piece together what has been said in several parts on Hockey-L recently, Michigan's current junior goaltending tandem of Marty Turco and Gregg Malicke did not arrive together ala Shields and Gordon. If I recall, Turco signed his letter of intent during the early signing period of Shields' and Gordon's senior season. So, with the departure of UM's #1 and #2 netminders, the Wolverines did know that they had Turco coming in and #3 Al Loges returning for his senior season. Malicke falls into the present surprise category. He appeared in seven games as a freshman at Clarkson in 1993-94. His numbers were very unimpressive, but he was nonetheless penciled in to be the Golden Knight's #1 in 1994-95, with incoming freshman Dan Murphy backing him up. However, Malicke made a late (August 1994?) decision to transfer to Michigan after one year at Clarkson. He sat out 1994-95 due to the transfer (Turco and Loges manned the UM nets), and has been a very dependable backup to Turco the past two seasons. Malicke's career numbers at Michigan: 19 GP, 496 min, 2-0-1, 1.57, .922. His three career starts (and decisions) include a tie with Ohio State and wins over Brown and Notre Dame. Sophomore Greg Daddario, a walk-on at UM, has been the #3 'tender behind Turco and Malicke the past two seasons. Daddario has yet to see anything but mop-up time, but the fan favorite has yet to allow a goal in 25:21 over four games played. He's made six saves. GLEN KEENEY A recent poster attempting to locate Glen Keeney's e-mail address for the Hockey-L poll had Glen at "umich.edu" rather than "msu.edu." I'd be thrilled to count Glen among the maize and blue backers! He's definitely one of the good guys. HOBEY A few people have mistaken my recent post lauding Michigan's Brendan Morrison for the Hobey as a statement that Morrison WILL win the Hobey. Not so. I think he SHOULD win the Hobey, but I've seen many stranger things happen. I wish the Hobey folks would decide on the relative importance of career achievement, though. (I'm assume this is something for each individual voter to weigh as they see fit.) Clarkson's Todd White is having his second consecutive outstanding season. He could well follow names like Paul Kariya and Chris Marinucci as Hobey winners who have had 1-2 impact years. Unfortunately, players who were superstars their entire career, such as Jim Montgomery, Nelson Emerson and Morrison, are often overlooked. The last Hobey winner that, IMO, seemed to get the award based more on career achievement than having an outstanding season in their winning year was Scott Pellerin. Who is the best player in the nation THIS season? I could argue for Morrison, White and BU's Chris Drury among others. Frankly, viewing the ECAC from a distance, I'd say that Union's Trevor Koenig deserves the ECAC Player of the Year Award as much as White if not more. My point is, several players fit the bill as being the NCAA's best in 1996-97. Now, compare that group based on what they've done off the ice -- in the lockeroom, in the classroom, in their community -- and what they've accomplished in their collegiate career both on and off the ice. IMO, you won't find a candidate that compares to Morrison. None of what I said implies that Morrison WILL win it, however. 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.