Wayne Gretzky, the world's greatest hockey player, makes the players around him look like superstars with his uncanny playmaking ability. Gretzky isn't the biggest, strongest or fastest player on the ice, but since he began his career he has always been the best.

While the comparison might be a little premature, Gretzky's lacrosse equivalent may be junior Mike Eckert of the Harvard men's lacrosse team.

This season Harvard has emerged as one of the top Ivy League lacrosse teams, due in no small part to the contributions of this soft-spoken superstar.

Eckert is the most important cog in the Crimson's offensive wheel, directing and coordinating the team's scoring attack.

"All of our offense runs through Mike," junior middie Chris Wojcik says. "He is our quarterback out there."

Though Eckert is an extremely capable goal scorer, he like Gretzky, would just as soon create a goal with a pass, as he would score one. The strength of his game is his creativity and ability to find the open man.

"He sees the field better than anyone I have ever played with," Wojcik says. "He is always able to find the open guy."

Eckert's numbers are indicative of his selfless efforts to get his teammates involved. He leads the team in assists (31), and points (53), and he is second in goals (21). His assist total is two-and-a-half times that of his closest teammate.

Coach Scott Anderson admires Eckert's consistency as well as his brilliance.

"He's a proven commodity, and he comes to play every game," Anderson says. "He is someone we can always count on."

Anderson also respects Eckert for another reason. Because he is recognized as the key to Harvard's offense, he is consistently shadowed by the opposing team's best defensive player.

"He is always going up against the other team's top man," Anderson says. "There is always one guy on the other team who you don't want covering you, and Eckert always draws that guy. The fact that he still manages to put up points under these circumstances is impressive."

On the lacrosse field, Eckert always stands out, and his breathtaking ability speaks volumes. Off the field, however, Eckert shuns the spotlight and would rather let his stellar play do the talking.

"He is a very quiet guy," says Wojcik, who is also Eckert's roommate. "He is such a good player, but you'd never know it from talking to him. He doesn't have an ego."

Though not prone to inspirational speeches or exuberant displays of emotion, Eckert has his own method of leadership.

"He's not a real rah-rah type of guy," Anderson says. "But he leads by example, and the other guys look to him to take charge."

As for what to expect from Eckert in the future, Anderson sees very little room for improvement.

"He was a great player from the beginning, as a freshman," Anderson says. "His game doesn't really have any weaknesses."

If there is anything limiting Eckert's success on the lacrosse field, it may be that his numerous athletic gifts do not include blazing speed. But this has hardly proved to be a deterrent.

"Mike may not have blazing speed, but it doesn't effect him," Anderson says. "His fantastic stick protection makes up for it."

While Wayne Gretzky has won multiple Stanley Cup championships, NHL scoring titles and league MVP awards in his illustrious career, Eckert and his Harvard teammates have more realistic goals in mind. Harvard has already gained respectability with several impressive victories this season, and with a couple more wins and a little luck, it might still be in the running for an NCAA Tournament berth.

If not, Harvard fans can take solace in the fact that while Wayne Gretzky may retire after this year, Mike Eckert, playmaker extraordinaire, will be back to grace Ohiri Field next season.