Helping Hand

"Jerry [Pawloski] has helped me out the most," McCormack says. "It's the positional things, especially the penatly killing, and Jerry's excellent at that."

McCormack has been one of reasons why Harvard has killed nine out of every 10 penalties. He didn't get to kill that many penalties early in the season, but Cleary has gone to McCormack more often during the past few months.

So, what's left for a steady, quiet and consistent defensemen? Maybe putting some numbers up on the board. McCormack admits he's never been a goal scorer. But that can change.

"I don't think my style of play warrants much publicity," McCormack says. "Hopefully, I'll be able to add offense to my game."

And when Pawloski and Sweeney graduate this spring, McCormack will no longer be a learner. He'll be a teacher.

"I just want to get everything down, get the basics down," McCormack says "Hopefully step up in a situation with Josh [Caplan] as kind of the next Donny and Jerry. It will take a lot of work."

But that's next year, a long time from this year's ECAC semifinals and possible NCAA bid for the Crimson. For now, McCormack will remain the sound and steady sophomore who just a year ago was waiting at the end of a long line.

This year, McCormack has cut into the middle of the line. Next year, he is likely to find a place at the front.

This Year

McCormack has netted three goals and recorded three assists for the Crimson.