"This year we'll have our best hockey team since before the war, but every other team around here will be just as good, if not better."

So speaks varsity coach John chase in characterizing Crimson prospects for the winter's hockey season. "We're deeper and faster than we've been in years," says Chase, "but just as strong are BU, BC, Northeastern, Dartmouth, and Brown, to mention only a few. I wouldn't want to pick winners in any of those games."

At present, upwards of 30 skaters are working out at the Arena under the eyes of Chase, defense coach Stan Priddy, and goalie coach Dave Mittell, who have the task of making final cuts within the next few days. Just which men of the 30 will form Harvard's starting lineup probably won't be known until the night before next Wednesday's opener with BU.

In yesterday's practice scrimmage, Chase's choices as first squad forwards were Captain Dave Key at center, and Charlie Coulter and sophomore speedster Jack Carman at the wings. As his second line, he used last year's sophomore combination of Myles Huntington, Dave Abbot, and Tom Mosely. Changes in these lines can easily occur between now and Tuesday, however.

Chase will probably draw his starting defensemen from the now-eligible John Garrity, Dick Greeley, Al Key, and Bill Allen, but there is still a wide-open race for the man to replace goalie Jack Lavalle. Johnny Chase and Bill Yetman of last year's varsity, and Phil Clark and Godfrey Howard of the 1947-48 freshmen and jayvees, all look good for the post.

The entire squad is well ahead of last year's skaters at this stage of the training period, says Chase, but this good omen is virtually discounted by the fact that the team will probably be playing its toughest schedule in history.

BU, the team that takes over the Arena ice each night after the Crimson quits practice, was among the top sextets in the East last year, and has lost next to none of its personnel.