Fab Five Freshmen Should Be Key to Crimson's Success

Coming off of successful high-school hockey careers, the freshmen on the Harvard men's hockey team are ready to get their college careers under way.

With the addition of five talented rookies--three defensemen and two forwards--the Crimson depth chart will continue to scare opposing teams.

Famigletti

The hockey career of Brian Famigletti proves that something good often comes from something bad. Famigletti, who hails from Glen Head, N.Y., began playing hockey after an illness of his older brother.

When his brother was diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor recommended that the boy ice-skate. Famigletti, who was four at the time, followed his brother to the rink, where they both began playing hockey.

His transition from high school hockey at Canterbury to Harvard has not been a difficult one, due to the welcoming attitudes of the upper-classmen.

"The second day that we were here, [the freshmen] met the team," Famigletti says. "Since then, they've treated us like we have been on the team for two or three years. And this was before we even made the team."

Famigletti is excited to escape the rigorous, tight-knit schedule of boarding-school life, to an environment where he can focus primarily on school and hockey. Over the course of the season, he is looking to help the team accomplish its goals.

"I want to keep playing well and seeing the team doing well," I Famigletti says. "I put the team above myself."

Head Coach Ronn Tomassoni describes Famigletti as an offensive defenseman.

"He is a highly-skilled player who is tremendous off of instincts," Tomassoni says.

Hyland

Unfortunately for Geordie Hyland, mononucleosis has interfered with the start of his Harvard career.

The illness has forced him to go home to Toronto for the time being. When Hyland rebounds from his illness, he should give the team an enormous boost.

Hyland utilizes his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame to play a very physical game.

"He was arguably one of the most sought-after recruits in the country," Tomassoni says.

McCarthy

Jeremiah McCarthy, who is from Belmont Hill, Mass, grew up across the street from a hockey rink, where he and his father learned how to play hockey together.

"My dad held my hand and dragged me around the rink," McCarthy says.

Well, folks, his dad does not need to drag him around the rink anymore.

As the captain of the Belmont Hill High School hockey team, which boasts one of the best prep school programs in the country, McCarthy led his team to their league championship in his senior year.

In his first year at Harvard, McCarthy has immediately noticed the increased level of play.

"The guys are so much faster, stronger and better skilled," McCarthy says. "Everyday in practice I am going against some of the best guys in the nation. I am forced to play above myself and to keep challenging myself."

McCarthy is looking to learn from the more experienced players on the team to reach his potential.

"I was to play the best that I can and take advantage of opportunities," McCarthy says."

Sproule

Doug Sproule, who comes from the hockey non-hotbed of Des Monies, Iowa, first took to the ice at the age of five, and skating was not an easy thing for him.

"I went onto the ice and I couldn't skate," Sproule says." "I had to push a chair around the ice.

Needless to say, the chair is no longer a part of Sproule's repertoire.

Sproule attended Hotchkiss, where he helped his team win the New England Championship in his sophomore year. He was also the team's captain in his senior year.

Sproule, like the other freshmen, has been impressed by the overall aura of Harvard hockey.

"There is a big change between there (high school) and here in how it is regarded," Sproule says. "The number of people that watch it and care about it is different. The whole level of competition is a step up.

"Doug is a tremendous athlete," Tomassoni says. "He is a fierce competitor and is very good in traffic. He's always had a nose for scoring goals."

Higdon

Henry Higdon, who hails from Greenwich, Conn., comes to Harvard from Phillip Andover Academy.

As Andover's program began to improve, Higdon followed right along, moving up to the first line from the third in his junior year in addition to captaining the squad last season.

"Being captain in my senior year helped me to take leadership and be in a position with responsibilities," Higdon says.

Hidgon's senior year was a confidence-builder, which helped to prepare him for his college career.

"When I got here, the freshmen were anxious to get on the ice," Higdon says. "It is definitely different from last year. Now we are in a position where we are not relied on for big goals. It has taken a little time getting adjusted."

Tomassoni is impressed with Higdon's first few weeks of play in both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice.

Fresh Meat

As the freshmen begin their first season at Harvard, they are looking to learn from the more experienced members of the squad.

The atmosphere may be new, but the rookies are excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the team's success.

And if the accomplishments of the freshmen's high school careers provide any indication of what is to come, Harvard hockey is in great shape.

SPORTS EDITORS:

David S. Griffel '96

Darren M. Kilfara '96

DESIGN EDITOR:

Emmeline F. Hou '97 SPORTS CUBE PREDICTS    1.Harvard  1.Harvard 2.Varmont  2.Clarkson 3.Clarkson  3.Varmont 4.RPI  4.RPI 5.Union  5.Colgate 6.St.Lowrence  6.Union 7.Colgate  7.Brown 8.Brown  8.St.Lowrence 9.Cornell  9.Cornell 10.Yale  10.Princeton 11.Dartmouth  11.Yale 12.Princeton  12.Dartmouth