Three Good Lines in Prospect as Hockey Season Opens; 1944 Strengthens Squad

Lack of ice is no detriment to Coach Clark Hodder and his hockey squad. For over a week now the skaters have been working out on the indoor ice of the Boston Skating Club, in preparation for the winter's tough work ahead of them.

This year's squad, although still in the formative stage, would seem to be faced with a far brighter prospect than last year's six, which salvaged from its League season only one tie. True, Captain Pren Willetts took with him a sizeable nucleus of Seniors when he graduated, but last year's Freshman team was one of the best in recent years, and this should more than make up for the loss of Seniors, especially as time goes on.

Summers Bolsters Defense

The defensive setup is wide open at the present time. Sherm Gray and Stacy Hulse held the defensive positions last year, and both have graduated. However, Captain Greely Summers saw action last year as a reserve defenseman, and he and George Dreher are both returning.

Hodder has two able Sophomores to count on here also. Tom Cowen and Olie Taylor are still green, but should have the ability to fit into the scheme of things quickly.

Paine and Gebelein Continue

In the line at the present time Hodder is working on pairs of men, and later on he plans to find a third man to fit into these forwards wings. Juniors Johnny Paine and George Gebelein are an example. Both played together last year on a Sophomore line, and at present they seem to stack up as the nucleus of Hodder's potential first line. Recently Gordie McGrath, whose expert stickhandling was one of the highlights of last year's drab season, has been the third man.

For a possible second line Hodder is counting on Earl Acker and Al Evarts, up from last year's Freshmen. The third man on this forward trio is at present Bo McMillan. Beyond this, line-ups become too probable to be accurate, but Hodder has lettermen Burgy Ayres, Demi Lloyd, and Caleb Loring, and Sophomores Monk Beebe and Johnny Burton all available for a third line.

Three Good Lines Probable

Last year Harvard did not have one good line until the middle of the season, and an efficient third line was not found until almost the end of the year. At present it looks as if the Crimson should have three good waves to throw at the opposition, and this should make for a better season.

Ab Fenn, two year veteran, heads the list of goal tenders but should be hard pressed by red-headed Stove O'Neill of last year's '44 sexlet.

Jayvees Neglected

Given time, Hodder plans to cut his squad to four forward lines, three pairs of defensemen and three goalers, with perhaps a few utility men to fill in, in case of injury.

As last year, Junior Varsity hockey will be conducted on an extremely informal basis, with most of the men who would make up this squad playing House hockey until the Jayvees are formed for their annual game with Yale.

All this week Hodder has been concentrating on this year's Freshmen, trying to cut down an opening practice turnout of almost 70 candidates to a more workable squad in the twenties.