Moore and Bala Bide Their Time

How’s this for a life-changing summer week: Marry your hometown bride, who had stuck with you through four years at Harvard and two more in the travel-intensive American Hockey League, then get a phone call that says, ‘You’ve just been traded across the country.’

“That’s pro hockey,” Chris Bala ‘01 said. “It’s a business.”

And though Bala’s world was shaken up like a snow-globe with the late-June, three-team trade that plucked him from the friendly confines of his native Northeast and the Ottawa Senators, he’s settling into his new role with the defending AHL (Calder Cup) champion Houston Aeros, the AHL affiliate of his new team, the Minnesota Wild.

In three games this season, the 25-year-old winger has collected one assist. Meanwhile, his new wife, Katie, is at home in Pottstown, Pa., teaching second grade. They’ll see each other once a month during the hockey season.

“A lot of things are new and changing for me right now,” Bala said. “That was my first experience being traded.”

Of course, Bala didn’t worry about call-ups or roster moves during his Harvard career, which ended in 2001 after 99 points and a government A.B. His first pro season, with the Grand Rapids Griffins, was his best. He had 21 goals and 37 points, earning him a six-day stint in the NHL and selection to the AHL All-Star team.

Last year, injuries – including a concussion – cut his season with the Binghamton Senators almost 30 games short. His production dipped to 24 points. And that’s a big reason why Bala is optimistic about the change of scenery.

“Once I got to digest it all, and talk to the people in Minnesota, I started to see that maybe this would be a good fit for me,” Bala said. “It’s giving me a chance at a fresh start, to make first impressions all over again.” By all indications, Bala’s confidence is up, which was the first goal that Minnesota assistant general manager Tommy Thompson had when the Wild acquired him.

“For whatever reason, he wasn’t playing that well last season, so it’s our job to get him back where he can be, and then judge him based on that,” Thompson said.

“He’s a good skater and a good shooter and he can play an up-tempo game, and in Minnesota we like to see that.”

Another benefit of the trade was precisely that – a change in the NHL roster that he’s trying to crack. Ottawa is arguably the NHL’s most talented team, and though the Wild is known for its quick, young forwards, Bala seems to have a better chance at breaking in with Minnesota.

“I think I fit into Minnesota’s plan, maybe a little better than Ottawa’s,” Bala said. “But it’s never easy to break into the NHL. You have to be playing well, and a spot has to be open.

“I just have to establish myself as a player,” he continued, “and see where I fit in the grand scheme of things.

“So far, so good.”

Dominic Moore

Where the NHL future of former captain Dominic Moore ’03 is concerned, the question isn’t “If?” but “When?”

Moore, now playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers, made such a big impression during the team’s training camp that he has drawn the attention of the Rangers front office and the New York media.

“We have no hesitation about giving him a look [in the NHL] at some point—and some point soon,” said Don Maloney, Rangers vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. “We’re almost curious to see how he comes back and plays against the big boys. We’re starting the season with a veteran lineup, but if things don’t turn around soon, he might get a look even sooner than he thinks.”

Moore also garnered a mention in the New York Times from Rangers coach Glen Sather, on the decision not to bring Moore up to the NHL when Eric Lindros went down with an injury.

“The obvious answer is that he’s not quite ready to be here yet and I don’t want to force-feed him. I don’t want to have him make mistakes here and then send him back to the minors on a down note. I’d rather let him have the opportunity to make the team permanently.”

“Permanently” has a nice ring to it.

So do the words of praise from the famously tough-to-please New York media—like “promising” and “top prospect”—that have been dropped next to Moore’s name in various stories.

They certainly seem to suggest that this Ivy Leaguer represents real, true hope for the Broadway Blueshirts, a franchise best-known in recent years for its depressing ratio of games won per dollars spent.

So wipe that proud tear off your cheeks, Harvard hockey fans. One of your own is about to make it big.

“He’s really not very far away from getting a look—and not only getting a look, but an extended look,” Maloney said. “I would be stunned if that doesn’t happen.”

And yet, when talking to Moore, he gives no indication that so many people are counting on him. The personality of Dominic Moore the professional isn’t much different than Dominic Moore the student-athlete—no matter how many zeros he has on his salary (and trust that there are more than a few).

He’s more likely to talk about how happy he is that his brother Steve (’01, also a Harvard captain) was recently promoted by the Colorado Avalanche, or say that he hopes to catch as many Harvard games as possible (he’s expecting big things from his old mates).

And Moore will gladly admit that, while playing hockey for a living is fine by him, there are plenty of times he wishes he’s back at Quincy House with midterms to take.

“I definitely miss college—it’s a unique experience,” said Moore, an All-American and the most decorated Harvard hockey player in a decade. “You have a lot more free time as a [pro] hockey player. You practice in the morning and then have the rest of the day off.

“There’s not a whole lot to do in Hartford, and I don’t have a car yet, so I can’t move around too much. I wish I had some homework or something to do.”

As of last week, Moore was living in a Hartford hotel, looking for a permanent place.

“There’s no dining hall here,” he said, laughing. “That’s for sure.

“It’s definitely different now, but it’s a new stage of my life and it’s fun.”

And he’s thriving in it. Through six games, Moore has three goals.

Moore got his first tally in the Wolf Pack’s season-opening tie with Bridgeport on Oct. 10, though he also sustained a bruised chest that night, which caused him to miss the next game. But he returned in time to play well in front of a group of former Harvard teammates who drove up to Lowell to watch him the following weekend.

Last Friday, though, was his best performance yet. He scored two goals—including the overtime game-winner—in a 3-2 win at Bridgeport.

Given performances like that, even the modest Moore will admit his big chance is coming.

“The opportunity is there,” Moore said. “The Rangers are definitely excited to have some players in their system that they feel good about.

“I’m nothing but excited to be a Ranger as soon as possible.”

Good news, Dom. You won’t have to wait long.

Harvard Hockey Alumni

In addition to recent graduates Dominic Moore ‘03 and Chris Bala ‘01, there are eight former Crimson players at the AHL or NHL level this season:

Craig Adams ‘99: After scoring a career-high 18 points with Carolina last season, he’s now skating on the Hurricanes’ top line with stars Rod Brind’Amour and Erik Cole.

Ted Donato ‘91: The 13-year, eight-team NHL vet is now back where he began, playing this season with his hometown Boston Bruins. He’s been taking regular shifts so far, mostly on the club’s fourth line with Michal Grosek and Sandy McCarthy.

Craig MacDonald ‘97: After three years with Carolina, MacDonald is with the Florida Panthers this season, playing in three games thus far.

Steve Martins ‘95: Harvard’s last All-American before Dominic Moore and Noah Welch last season, Martins has eight seasons of NHL experience and will likely stretch that to nine this year with St. Louis. He’s currently playing with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Worcester Ice Cats.

Jeremiah McCarthy ‘98: A veteran of eight minor league teams, McCarthy is now skating with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.

Steve Moore ‘01: He’s had two call-ups to the Avalanche (eight games in 2001-2002, four last year). With the new NHL season just under way, the Avalanche called up Moore this week. Success this season is crucial to his development.

Brett Nowak ‘03: Expect Nowak’s stay with the Providence Bruins to be somewhat longer than Moore’s with the Wolf Pack. The reason? Consider the case of Andy Hilbert, who left the University of Michigan in the 2001 after two seasons, after reportedly being told he was “penciled in” to the Big B’s roster for the 2001-2002 season. He’s had only a 20-game cup of coffee during his first two pro seasons, proving the ranks of Boston’s centermen – which include Joe Thornton and Brian Rolston – are quite difficult to crack.

Don Sweeney ‘88: Sweeney played his 10,000th career game with the Bruins last season. The backliner had spent every one of his first 15 seasons on Causeway Street – a rarity in today’s NHL – but signed with the Dallas Stars in the off-season after Boston opted to bring University of Michigan product Jeff Jillson up from the Baby B’s to start the year.

—Staff writer Jon Paul Morosi can be reached morosi@fas.harvard.edu.