This fall, he is back and has been sparking an offense that last year relied almost solely on its first line. All three first liners (Fusco, Smith and MacDonald) are back, but Harvard needs to get more scoring from the rest of the team.

"He's a goal scorer," Fusco says of Bourbeau. "That's something we need. He should help make a strong second line."

Left wing Ed Krayer of St. Paul's was another recruiting coup for the Crimson. The 6-ft., 170-lb., freshman was taken 150th overall in the NHL draft, going to the New Jersey Devils in the eighth round.

Right now, Bourbeau and Krayer are the heart of the preseason second line. The first unit chipped in 86 of the Crimson's 147 tallies last year, and more balance up front may be a large key to the team's success.

If the first line, which converted over 32 percent of its power play opportunities last year, struggles in man-up situations, then Krayer and Bourbeau will be given a chance to show their stuff. Expect a different formation from the second power play unit as Cleary tries to show a different look.

For that the Crimson will look to Bourbeau and Krayer as well as the rest of the returning Crimson forwards: seniors Rob Ohno and Peter Follows, juniors Tim Barakett, Rick Haney and Peter Chiarelli and sophomores Steve Armstrong, Andy Janfaza and Nick Carone.

Junior Butch Cutone, Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a defenseman two seasons ago, also returns to the forward line. Cutone sat out '84-'85 after an aneurismic bone cyst in his left leg was discovered.

The Arlington native has only been back on skates since late August--after a year and a half absence--and has been moved up front as he regains the strength in his legs.

"I'm back into it," Cutone says, "only my leg isn't."

The Crimson defense shapes up to be perhaps the best in the East. The two blue-liners who helped the first line to its astonishing power play success are back. Junior Randy Taylor and senior Mark Benning form perhaps the most solid tandem in the ECAC.

And it is on defense that Harvard has its biggest freshman. Chris Biotti is a big drink of water at 6-ft., 3-in., 180-lb., but his credentials are much more impressive than his size. Biotti, who played at Belmont Hill School, was the 17th player selected in June's NHL draft, going to Calgary in the first round. The Newton native was the also the first American high school player selected.

"He's gonna be a force," Cleary says. "I'll be surprised if he isn't."

Biotti, whose size will add a great deal of presence to the Crimson defensive corps, will probably be paired with Harvard's hardest hitter, sophomore Jerry Pawloski. Pawloski, who played very well in his rookie campaign, is reviving the lost art of the open-ice body check at Bright Center.

"Now, we're more of a cohesive unit," Benning says.

The blue-line contingent will be rounded out by sophomore Don Sweeney, who possesses excellent tools, big sophomore Scott Farden and the final freshman who should see considerable time.