Steven Moore, next year's team captain and the Crimson's leading scorer for each of his first three seasons, was taken in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in 1998. The Pittsburgh Penguins nabbed Mark in the seventh round of the 1997 draft.

Nowak 's future NHL employer is just a T ride away as the Boston Bruins took him with the 103rd pick overall. The winger bagged five goals and 10 assists in his rookie campaign for the Crimson.

The fourth round selection, however, was a bit of a disappointment for him. The CSB ranked him 22nd overall among forwards in the draft and early season projections had him going as high as the first round.

"My predictions were much higher, maybe in the second round, but you can never tell with this system. There are so many variables," said Nowak on the Bruins official website. "But I'm happy where I am, I'm on a great team. Living in Boston and going to Harvard, I follow the Bruins as much as possible."

Nowak's ability earned him a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team, which competed at the 2000 World Junior Championships in December. However, he suffered a shoulder injury before the tournament that limited his production for the rest of the season.

The Bruins, however, were still attracted by Nowak's size and strength with the puck. It often took two defenders to knock the puck off his stick this past season, an asset that should generate more offense as he develops at Harvard.

"He had a good tournament at the World Juniors and was used more in a checking role. He's always been thought of as an offensive guy, so some people might have gone just on his numbers," said Jeff Gorton, an aide to Bruins Assistant General Manager Mike O'Connell.