This is the year that Crimson hockey followers have been awaiting with bated breath. Too long has the sextet been rumbling along in its customary cellar slot in the Pentagonal League, and Coach John Chase, in his first full year as puck mentor, has his eye on bigger game.

Rink prospects, with nine veterans returning, and the best Freshman squad in a decade now in its Sophomore year, are definitely above-par, and the sextet which emerges from nightly practice sessions, started Monday, should be strictly a social climber in the best League circles.

Will Use Two Squade

Coach Chase hopes to organize his team into two parts, so that when he loses one bunch to graduation and other sources in February, he can have another crew, which has worked together as a unit, to carry on.

His primary tower of strength is Captain Johnny Paine, who has held every job on the ice except referee. Originally a wing, the ubiquitous captain was switched to defense last winter to boister a sagging defense, but he will probably operate from a front line post this year.

Loring, Harding on First Line

Veterans of the forward wall include Caleb Loring and Dick Harding, who may team with Paine on the first line. On defense, Tom Cowen is the only letter holder returning, but the Crimson is blessed in that department with the best hockey prospect in recent years, Dick Mechem, last year's Freshman captain.

At goal, Steve O'Neil, with a year's experience at puck-dodging, has first call, but he may be pressed by Sophomore Gus Summers, who accounted for several shutouts on the Freshman six.

Forwards to spare are available to Coach Chase. From last year's squad return Marc Beebe, Al Everts, Johnny Burton, Earl Acker, and Sandy MacMillan. From the '41-'42 Yardling outfit, undefeated but twice tied, come Tom Ayres, Stan Collinson, Jim Apthorp, Ned Harding, Steve and Bill Glidden, Hoss Hamlen, and others. And since Freshmen are eligible for the Varsity squad, any '46 rinkster showing talent will be more than welcome to Chase. All in all, it is a healthy picture.