Making the Right Moves

The uniform is a tacky red, white and blue, instead of the familiar white and red. The number on the back is 20 instead of 24, but there is no mistaking the dashing figure of Allen Bourbeau as he relentlessly weaves through the hapless opposing defensemen.

Bourbeau's remarkable skating skills--a treat previously reserved for Harvard spectators' eyes--will be on display for all to see in February as he and his USA Olympic mates take on the world in the Olympics.

And Bourbeau, the Crimson's second leading scorer last season, couldn't be happier about being a member of the squad.

"This is a lot of fun," he said, "you can't beat it. Especially since 1980 it's something that everyone dreams of."

"It's like I thought it would be," he continued. "The travel's not that bad, but it's a different city every day and sometimes you wish you could stay and see the town."

Well, does he wish he had remained in the cozy confines of North House to finish out his senior year?

"It wasn't much of a choice," he said, grinning.

It wasn't a difficult choice for Coach Dave Peterson to pick Bourbeau, either. Bourbeau had to skip the Olympic Festival, the team's offcial tryout camp, last summer because of an injured shoulder. But, as he had been promised, Bourbeau was granted a private tryout the following week in Lake Placid, and Peterson quickly added the Falmouth native to his roster.

"He's good or he wouldn't be playing here," Peterson said. "He's been playing very well."

Bourbeau has made Peterson's decision a stroke of genius, as he has notched 10 goals and 10 assists in 19 games for the USA squad. That ties him with, among others, Crimson teammate Lane MacDonald for third place on the team's goal-scoring chart.

Throughout most of the team's 26 games thus far, Bourbeau has been on a line with former B.U. nemesis Clark. Donatelli and former high school rival Steve Leach. Leach, who played 15 games last season for the Washington Capitals, is one of three players on loan to the Olympians from the National Hockey League.

"The guys on this team are just great," Bourbeau said. "Everyone can pass and skate. Tonight, our line was just flying, and we should have put a few more pucks in the net."

Although the Olympians collectively have more international experience than any of their predecessors, they are aware that beating B.C., 12-4, is a long way from standing up to the Swedes and Czechs.

"Right now I'm looking forward to coming back." he said. "We'll see what happens with the Olympics and the pros, but Lane's coming back next year too, and we're going to have a real powerhouse."

When Bourbeau does come back, he'll be the one in the gaudy light blue sports jacket wearing the red and white "Team USA/Dodge Dealers of America" sports jacket.