"You see him off the ice, you might think you'd be able to knock him around," said classmate Steve Flomenhoft, who has taken over the role of the Crimson enforcer now that Kevan Melrose has gone, "but he gives a hit just as well as he takes it. He may be labelled a finesse player, but there is a good part of his game that's physical play, and you'll see him knock down bigger guys."

All of his talent could give him a big head, but Drury is all modesty. Instead of a hot-shot freshman, the Trumbull, Conn., native is considered by teammates and coaches alike to be one of the most friendly and industrious players on the team.

"He's gotten a lot of attention because he was such a highly sought after player, and sometimes that can go to people's heads," Tomassoni said. "He's someone that has kept it all in perspective and works as hard as anyone on the team."

While most players of Drury's caliber played on state squads throughout their pre-college years, he always played for the Trumbull team. And when he came to Harvard, it took until the first game for him to feel fully confident.

"The first couple days of practice I was lost," Drury said. "Donato, and Ciavags and C.J.--I worshipped these guys just two years ago, and now I was playing on the line with them. It was scary."

Perhaps Drury's humble attitude is driven by the fact that his accomplishments have been a bit overshadowed by his younger brother's achievements. Twelve-year-old Chris hit the national spotlight last year after pitching the Trumbull Little League team to the world championship.

But the oldest brother does not feel anything but happiness for his little bro. And perhaps hanging around Sports Illustrated's Sportskid of the Year has worn off on him. Best friend Matt Mallgrave claims that in many ways, Drury still retains his youthful aura.

"It's almost like he tries to live the life of a young kid, of a seven-year-old," Mallgrave said. "He likes to have the real simple kind of fun that you forget as you get older--like watching cartoons and laughing at really stupid things."

While Harvard has not been as successful as some of the other schools that recruited Drury, he has no regrets about his decision to wear Crimson.

Except one--seeing Cleary step down as coach to assume the role of athletic director.

"He's the best coach I ever had without a doubt. He knows so much about the game and he makes the game so fun," Drury said. "It's never a drudgery to come down to the rink. It's always fun. That's a big part of the hockey here."

And Drury will return to the rink many times. Though out for the remainder of this season, he will play a key role in years to come for the Harvard team.

"When people look at Ted Drury, they're looking at the future of Harvard hockey," Donato said.