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Konik, Breistroff: Home Is Where Harvard Is

Two Members From the Crimson's Past Are Back--And Are Dying to Contribute Again

With his injury behind him, Konik is ready and willing to make up for his lost time in the rink. And now that he has overcome his toughest foe to this date, he is mentally prepared for anything.

J'alme le Hockey

When senior defenseman Michel Breistroff left Harvard after his junior year, he had the 1994 Olympic Games on his mind.

Breistroff, who hails from Roubaix, France, took the year off to train with the French National Team. Ultimately, his goal was to make the Olympic squad.

Although his goal did not come true, Breistroff came about as close as he could have to making the team--he got cut on January 10, just ten days before the Games were to begin.

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Although this was a disappointment for Breistroff, he took the experience in stride, taking advantage of the opportunity to complete with his national team. He has definitely come back with a lot of experience from playing in top international competition.

"I got to play against some good players," Breistroff says. "I played against teams who had a different style of hockey. I would hope that I learned something from that experience."

Breistroff, who was a forward his two years at Harvard, will play defense for the Crimson this year, as he did in 1992-93. And that should help a unit that lost Sean McCann '94, Lou Body '94 and Derek Maguire '94 to graduation.

Breistroff is excited for his last season of Harvard hockey. He would like nothing more than to contribute to another successful season.

"I would really hope to go back to the Final Four and to go one step further and win it all," Breistroff says.

Using last year as a stepping stone, Breistroff has the motivation and the talent to help the team reach its goals.

"When he left, we thought he was a pretty good player," Tomassoni says. "You've gotta believe he is even better now."

The reemergence of Konik and Breistroff gives an enormous boost to the Crimson. The talent and experience that the two players will contribute this year could be essential for a successful season.

"It is a real bonus to get two players of their experience back with us," Tomassoni says.

And for Konik and Breistroff, it is nice to be back at Harvard.

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