Hockey

It's a long climb back to the top and Dartmouth hockey coach Brian Mason could use some help. "I'm real optimistic and feeling excited," said Mason. "With a couple of lucky bounces and if we stay healthy, we could have a successful year."

Of course, a successful season at this point means getting out of the Ivy League cellar, Since arriving in 1984 to take over a foundering program, Mason has produced only 12 wins in two years and only two in the Ivy League. That is a reflection of how far the program has fallen rather than Mason's commitment to it. In four years at RIT Mason produced an 87-35 record, qualified for the Division II playoffs each year, and won a national championship in 1983.

But the former Clarkson star found the going rougher at Dartmouth. "The recruiting was much tougher than I thought it would be," said Mason. "There isn't as much control over your own destiny. You submit your list to the administration and if they don't get accepted, that's it. After acceptances you can't go out and recruit Other players the way you can at other schools. Plus the pool is much smaller for Ivy League players and we're all going after the same players. Dartmouth itself is a very easy school to sell. Players love the atmosphere and I feel we have the best facility in the East it would have to be in the top three in the country. The fans are very supportive all the ingredients to have a successful program."

Well, so far all the ingredients except the players. But Mason feels that is about to change. Taking over a team that had won three games the year before, Mason's first team won just five games. Opting for a clean sweep and control of his own situation, Mason put a team of mostly underclassmen on the ice last year and won seven games.

"We found out last year that when you try to turn it around with freshmen," said Mason, "you're going to take some lumps. We were better than our record we started 1-3 and could have easily been 4-0 but the losing took its toll on the players.

"It's frustrating because they had always been winners and all of a sudden they're not. But the players this year, the attitude and atmosphere are very positive. Last year we had 11 freshman come in and they didn't know how to handle the experience. They didn't realize the commitment it took to play Division I hockey. This year these guys are more relaxed. They worked hard all summer and there is an air of confidence. We're more together as a unit."

Dartmouth lost only five players from last year's team and will have back the top four scorers among the 17 returning lettermen. The team is still young with just four seniors captain Kevin McCann, assistant captain Jack Bohn, and goalies Jeff Bower and Mark Hoppe. McCann, a center, has been bothered by injuries for two seasons and played in only 18 games last year. Mason calls him one of his most talented players and one who commands "a great deal of respect." Both Tom Finks, the team's leading scorer a year ago, and Andy Donahue, who led the Green in goals, made large contributions as freshmen. Junior Paul Rai was the most improved player on the team and all are back up front.

Bohn is the most experienced defenseman and has been a steady performer for three years. He will be joined on defense by sophomores Ned Desmond (the fourth leading scorer last year), Rob Goulet, and Butch Coughlin, who is recovering from a knee injury.

The goal-tending position will be contended for by four players. Bower had his best season as a freshman and Hoppe as a sophomore. They will be challenged by sophomore Tim Osby and freshman Steve Loren. "All four are capable," said Mason, "and we hope to pick one who is the most consistent. Last year we had three goalies play well at times, but no one established himself as the starter. Consequently, whoever was in there was constantly looking over his shoulder. This year we want to establish a main goalie. The plan is not to keep all four with the varsity."

The recruits this season are not many, but Mason feels that four of them will have an immediate impact on the program. Dave Williams was at the top of the recruiting list and the defenseman out of Choate has the ability to play right away. Williams was drafted in the 12th round of the National Hockey League draft by the New Jersey Devils last year, the second youngest player taken in the draft.

Jamie Hanlon is a speedy left wing from Ottawa, who will help on the line, and Jeff Miller, from Reading, Mass., will probably start at right wing or defense. Goalie Loren was one of the better Junior B goalies in Ontario last year.

Perhaps the biggest change this season is the dedication displayed in the off-season. Mason is a firm believer in weight-training and he hopes it will translate into a quicker team this season. "I think we've made steady improvement," said Mason, "but obviously I'd like to see it move quicker. In the Ivy League a coach can't control his own destiny as much as he would like. I don't think we're ready to challenge for the top this year we still need another good recruiting year. But this is a critical year and I feel we're well on our way. This year the on-ice performance and recruiting are critical to the future of the Dartmouth hockey program."

Captain Kevin McCann '87 (top) at centerand Assistant Captain Jack Bohn '87 atdefense are two of only four seniors backfor hockey this year.