Harvard's 1989 Hobey Baker winner, Lane MacDonald, decided in June to turn down the NHL's Hartford Whalers and play professionally with a team in Lugano, Switzerland. By deciding to play the faster-skating style of hockey in Europe, MacDonald retained his eligibility for the 1992 Olympic team, which, coincidentally, could be coached by Harvard's Bill Cleary.
Four players of this year's Crimson squad were chosen in the NHL's June draft, bringing the number of Harvard skaters whose rights are owned by an NHL team to 18.
Prize recruit Ted Drury became the highest-drafted player in Harvard history even before lacing up his skates for the Crimson. Drury was chosen in the second round by the Calgary Flames.
Goalie Allain Roy was selected in the fourth round by the Winnipeg Jets, defenseman Kevin Sneddon was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the 12th round, while Captain C.J. Young became a first-round supplemental draft choice of the New Jersey Devils.
The worst news of the off-season for Cleary and the Crimson was the disciplinary action against Ed Krayer, who scored the winning goal in the NCAA final, and Ted Donato, the MVP of the NCAA tournament.
Krayer was asked by the Administrative Board to take a two-year leave of absence from the University for academic reasons. Drafted by the Devils in 1985, Krayer plans to attempt a career in the NHL before eventually returning to Harvard to complete his education.
"It has always been my ambitiion to play professional hockey and hopefully my NCAA playoff performance will earn me an opportunity with a pro team," said Krayer, who lost his remaining collegiate eligibility.
Donato was suspended until December 1 by the Ad Board for an incident at the Lampoon on April 21 in which a female undergraduate was allegedly injured by Donato. The junior forward plans to appeal to the Ad Board for permission to practice and play with the squad before December 1.
Former Harvard running back Tony Hinz '89 backed his way on to an NFL roster when a knee injury forced the Patriots to place him on injured reserve last month. The move allows the Patriots to retain Hinz's rights throughout the season, but also makes Hinz ineligible to join the active roster until next year.
Hinz, who was drafted in the 11th round in 1989 by the Patriots, signed a contract "equivalent to that of a high eight-round choice," according to M.J. Duberstein, director of research of the NFL Players' Association.
Hinz is best known for the role he played in helping Harvard win the 1987 Ivy League championship. The Montana native rushed for 162 yards in sub-zero temperatures and scored both Crimson touchdowns in Harvard's title-clinching 14-10 win over the Elis at Yale Bowl.
But while Harvard athletes were making news on and off the field this summer, the administrative situation at the Department of Athletics remains murky. No successor has been named for Athletic Director Jack Reardon, who resigned his post in April. According to Dean of the Faculty A. Michael Spence, a search committee finally will be announced soon.
In the Sports Information Department, former Boston University Assistant SID John Veneziano replaced Frank Cicero as the Director of Sports Information. His staff was filled out with the appointment of ECAC intern Tim Bonang, who joins Julie Rice as an Assistant Sports Information Director.
Finally, Jeff Musselman '85, the 1985 Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year, was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Mets in August. The former Harvard ace, who completed an alcohol rehabilitation program this year, is currently 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings pitched for the Mets.