"We made it clear to the team's that drafted us that we were going to Harvard and playing for the Crimson," Fried says. "We're here now and we're gonna do what we came here for."

It all ties back to that Harvard degree.

"Both players really value their education," Lindsay says. "For Fried, it was especially important. It is likely he would have been a doctor or lawyer if he wasn't going to be a professional hockey player."

But he is going to be a hockey player. Sometimes you get your cake and eat it too.

The Promise

Of course, neither Kolarik nor Fried has scored a single collegiate goal yet. The second the puck drops tonight against Brown all their success in high school doesn't mean a thing.

The Crimson roster is full of players who were high school superstars, many highly touted recruits. Yet, Harvard has had five straight seasons without a winning record. All Kolarik and Fried have right now is talent--but they are just two among a plethora of players with that.

It will take a lot more than talent to restore Harvard to prominence. The royal Crimson has been tarnished over the past few seasons. It's up to them and the Moores, sophomore Brett Nowak, assistant captain Chris Bala, senior Oli Jonas, freshmen Dennis Packard, Kenny Smith, Kenny Turano and a host more to put them back there.

But their hearts are certainly in the right place. Not bad for a passing whim.

"Putting on that jersey for the first time was unbelievable," Kolarik says. "You got the pictures on the wall of the Lane McDonalds and the Steve Moores and the Fuscos."

"It's so much bigger than you are," Fried responds.

"We have a lot to do."