Hockey at the University will begin in 1921 under conditions more auspicious than there have been since the loss of the Arena by fire in 1918. Last season the team's development was aided by the building of the new bankrupt Pavilion rink on Massachusetts avenue, and this next year the rebuilt Arena on St. Botolph street will give the team an excellent rink for games and practice. The new building will include seating space for 5000 spectators, and in addition will have a playing surface 90 feet wide and 220 feet long. The rink itself will be oval in shape and will provide ample room for seven-man hockey, in contrast to the Pavilion.

The Arena will be of the most modern construction and the building will be adaptable to many uses. The method of making the ice used in the Philadelphia rink will probably be adopted. By this system the pipes containing the freezing mixture are laid just beneath the surface of the floor, which is built of concrete of a new composition and is an easy conductor. Thus steam can be run through the pipes and the ice melted and floor cleaned in a short space of time to accommodate a track meet. It is probable that the building will be used next year instead of Mechanics Hall, as it will be more economical than putting up the seats in the hall, and a track of greater length will be available. The Arena will be very convenient during the late winter sport season for boxing and bicycle racing, but especially will it be advantageous for the Harvard hockey team.

Galaxy of Forwards

Not only will there be better facilities for the game, but only four of the men who were awarded letters in 1920 will be lost to the team. E. L. Bigelow '21, captain, is the best man on the forward line, and last year was the main cog in the Crimson's offence. He has almost perfect control of his stick, passes cleanly and shoots accurately. R. W. Emmons 3d '20, who played consistently at right wing last season may return to College, and in that case there will be an even stronger nucleus for the forward line from last season's team. D. Angler '22 is the probability for the position on the other wing. H. B. W. Snelling '21, who is very clever with his stick, and J. M. Martin '22 have a good chance to team up with Bigelow at the other, center position. T. M. Avery '21 and F. M. Bacon '21, both members of this year's forward line, are not expected to return. C. W. Baker '22, who substituted for Emmons last year at right wing, is another candidate for a forward position on the right side of the line.

The defence, which last season was always the most reliable part of the team, will suffer heavily by the loss of its two regular members. N. S. Walker '20, captain in the 1920 season, is graduating this year, as well as J. Stubbs '20, who with Walker formed a very strong combination clever in checking and fast down the ice. The pair was backed up by J. Holmes '21, whose work in the cage was consistently good. Holmes will return next year, and in all probability will be at his usual position. C. S. Stillman '21, if able to play, will provide stiff competition. J. Gaston '21, G. Owen '23, captain of the 1923 team, and R. W. Buntin '21, who played forward on his Freshman team but was ineligible for the University sextet last year, form a nucleus for the vacant positions at point and cover-point.

Freshmen Give Promise

In addition to Owen, there are several other 1923 men who will be eligible to the University squad. J. G. Flint '23 is a skillful goal-tend, while A. H. Ladd '23 and J. Larocque '23 are promising possibilities for the forward line. With Coach W. B. Claflin '15 again at the helm, present indications all go to show that, losing only four men, the University hockey squad has a wealth of material from which to draw, and the outlook for the 1921 season is one of encouragement for a renewal of last year's championship.