Following the cancellation of the University of Pennsylvania hockey program, freshman and sophomore players are trying to transfer to other schools in order to continue playing Pennsylvania hockey coach, said yesterday.

Gary Prior, a sophomore left wing for the Pennsylvania team, said yesterday that he hopes to transfer to the University of Vermont or Harvard.

Harvard is the first choice of most of the players but many were disenchanted because no one involved with the Harvard Program had contacted them, Prior said.

John P. Reardon '60, director of athletics, said yesterday that the athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania had called him, asking that Harvard take "a hard look" at the Pennsylvania players.

Reardon added that he would be surprised if Harvard hockey coach William J. Cleary '56 had contacted anyone. Cleary is very cautious and does not like to make commitments if he is not sure he can keep players, Reardon said.

Cleary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Pennsylvania hockey captain Marc Odette said yesterday that freshman standout goalie Robert Sutton had a Harvard application and is planning to apply. Sutton was enroute to Toronto yesterday and he could not be reached.

Odette said he thought most Pennsylvania hockey players are interested in transferring to Harvard. "Everyone wants to go to Harvard," Odette said.