What is perhaps most impressive is the physical improvement in these second year players.

MacDonald, who was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in June, worked out extensively over the summer and has put on 25 pounds of muscle.

"I feel much better," MacDonald said. "The strength factor is really going to help and I haven't lost any speed. I feel pretty confident that I'm not going to get pushed off the puck as much as I was last year."

Storey, Adams and Millar also worked on their skills and strength over the summer.

"I tried to work out a lot over this summer," Millar said. "I weigh more and they can't throw me around as much as they did my freshman year."

Millar was something of a team hero last year, coming off the bench to contribute much more than expected to the offense.

"Robbie's a very talented young man and he seems to be skating a whole lot better offensively right now," Tomassoni said. "He's got a real head for the game. I think it just shows how the sophomore class has come back with more confidence and great work ethic."

The freshman class also figures heavily in the upcoming season. Many of them, especially defensemen Brice Conklin and Matt Scorsune are highly touted. Prestifilippo and Scorsune were two of the five Harvard icemen drafted this summer.

"I think we're adjusting pretty well," Prestifilippo said. "The older guys have made it easy on and off the ice and the coaches seem like really good motivators. Plus, the defence here just seems unbelievable, which is going to help me."

Tomassoni echoes the freshman's thoughts.

"I think we've got a nice blend and a nice mix. It's a class that's got very good quickness and it really improves our overall team speed. It seems like good chemistry."

Gotta Have Heart

No team can expect to win close games without experienced leadership from its veteran players, however, and everyone seems to agree that the Harvard upperclassmen are up to the challenge.

The all-around play of Halfnight, the experience of Joe Craigen and the versatility of Marco Ferrari are all crucial to the team's success.

Halfnight stepped up his play in the latter part of last season and is expected to lead the way this year.