The University skaters will face M. I. T. in the initial tilt of the season tomorrow night with five veterans on the ice. Willard Howard '27 is the only member of the starting sextet who did not win his letter last year, and he played as a regular two years ago. At the same time that he announced the first string Crimson line-up Coach Bigelow also gave out a second combination, which according to the practice of Harvard in recent years will probably relieve the regulars at frequent intervals during the game.

J. P. Chase '28, C. S. Gross '27, and Nathaniel Hamlen '27, all members of last years championship outfit, compose the Crimson team A forward line, with Captain W. P. Ellison, '27, and Willard Howard '27, playing in the defense positions. The starting goal guard has not been picked yet, the decision lying between W. W. Adams '28 and Joseph Morrill '28. Both of these men did relief work for Captain Thayer Cummings '26, last year showing marked ability as cage protectors. It is possible that Morrill will get the initial call, with Adams ready to relieve him at any time.

Alternates Also Chosen.

Out of the large number of puckmen of proved ability who are working out on the Arena ice every afternoon, Coach Bigelow has selected a team to alternate with the regulars on which veterans of last year are also predominant. Two members of the undefeated 1929 sextet have won places as wingmen on this combination, the rest being letter men. These Sophomores are John Tudor, captain of last year's Freshman skaters, and H. G. Crosby, Tudor's running mate in the 1929 forward line. R. S. Scott '27, at center completes the second forward combination, which will be supported by a football defence, furnished by C. D. Coady '27, and E. C. Clark '27.

All the hockey players of note, who are eligible to compete this year, have reported except E. T. Putnam '29. Putnam, regular University quarterback throughout the past gridiron season, was one of the stars of last year's Freshman ice team, playing in the center position. The new rule this year that only 12 men can participate in a game hits Harvard with its wealth of substitute material, particularly hard. There are several other players of ability both from last year's University and Freshman squads who have been unable to find a place in either of these line-ups and who will consequently be prevented from entering a game until some shift is made in the present combinations.

Regulars Seem Strongest Possible.

Coach Bigelow has concentrated his best material in the first line-up which seems likely to stay in very much its present form during most of the season. Chase at center is one of the cleverest stick handlers who has worn the Crimson in several years. Gross and Hamlen are both fast, slashing men down the ice and work well with each other as a scoring combination. Clark's aggressive play in the defense line may win him a place on the first outfit, but he will have the considerable task of replacing Ellison and Howard, both of whom are experienced quick puckmen.