Drury's Last Game?

WORCESTER, MA--Harvard Captain Ted Drury has likely played his last game in a Crimson uniform.

After Harvard's 3-2 double-overtime loss to Northern Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Drury said that he would "think about [leaving] this week."

But, in an emotional post-game statement thanking Drury for his friendship and leadership, freshman goalie Tripp Tracy confirmed his captain's departure.

"Playing with him has been the best thing I've ever done," Tracy said. "I'm really shattered that this is the last time I'll play on a team with him. All good things come to an end, and this has too."

Drury, who has remained notably silent on the issue throughout the year, has three options available to him at this point.

He could continue playing at Harvard and use up his remaining year of NCAA eligibilty.

He could finish off his junior year and then take a second leave of absence to play in the 1994 Winter Olympics. As a veteran of the 1992 team and captain of the 1990 World Junior team, he would be a leading candidate for captain of the 1994 Team USA.

Or he could leave Harvard now and sign with the Calgary Flames, who own the rights to him and are eager to bolster their offense.

Given Drury's insistence that a decision must be made within a week, he seems likely to choose the third option.

The rationale for such a choice is clear. Drury is, without question, in the prime of his hockey career. More time spent in college or the Olympics could either stunt his athletic development or result in a career-threatening injury. There is precedent for such a choice as well. Two years ago, then-senior Mike Vukonich '91 left Harvard in April to play for the Los Angeles Kings. Vukonich managed to complete all the requirements for his courses, however, and received his degree on time.

Whether Drury decides to take that route, or whether he decides to leave at all, should be known soon.