[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HOCKEY TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, just 1 week ago, I stood here on the House 
floor and shared the pride and excitement my fellow Minnesotans are 
experiencing this winter as our University of Minnesota men's 
basketball team won the Big Ten Championship for the first time in 15 
years.
  Today, I stand doubly proud. Last Saturday evening, following the 
basketball team's home celebration of the Big Ten title, the University 
of Minnesota men's hockey team clinched the Western Collegiate Hockey 
Association Conference Championship with a hard fought 7-3 win over 
Wisconsin. In a matter of just two weeks, the Minnesota Golden Gophers 
have--for the first time ever--won conference championships in these 
two major sports in the same season.
  Hockey success surely has not been rare during head coach Doug Woog's 
12-year tenure as coach. Coach Woog last led his team to the WCHA 
championship during the 1991-1992 season and has coached each of his 
teams into the very selective NCAA tournament. The difference, Mr. 
Speaker, is this was expected to be a rebuilding year.
  After losing 10 players to graduation last year, including the 
Nation's top scorer and half of the team's defensive corps, the young 
Gophers dedicated themselves to improvement to the point they were in 
the position to win a share of the conference title on the last day of 
the season.
  Mr. Speaker, this achievement is especially gratifying as the 
University of Minnesota celebrates 75 years of Golden Gopher hockey. 
Coach Woog has continued our State's steep hockey tradition, one 
started by the father of American hockey, John Mariucci, by fielding an 
entire team of Minnesota-born players.
  This team truly is Minnesota's pride on ice.
  Mr. Speaker, this overachieving team is characterized by four 
dedicated, hard-working seniors who eagerly place team above self. 
Speedy cocaptain Nick Checco, nicknamed ``Mr. March,'' has had a knack 
for scoring goals at crunch time and during tournament play.
  Checco, along with forwards Dan Woog and Danny Hendrickson, paced a 
stingy penalty killing unit that led the conference and is seldom 
outworked in the gritty business of controlling the corners.
  Defenseman Brian LaFluer, who missed 6 weeks with a shoulder injury, 
returned at the same level when he left, igniting the offense with his 
transitional play and solidifying the young defense.
  The offense was led by All-American defenseman junior Mike Crowley, 
who tied for the conference scoring title. Junior sharpshooter Ryan 
Kraft led the team with 24 goals scored, while freshman Dave Spehar, 
the all-time leading high school scorer, quickly adjusted to college 
hockey by leading the team in game-winning goals and all WCHA freshman 
in points.
  A talented group of sophomores have contributed to this team's 
success: Mike Anderson, Reggie Berg, and Eric Rasmussen--the first 
American selected in last year's National Hockey League amateur draft. 
Eric teamed with forward Wyatt Smith and freshman Ben Clymer to help 
lead the U.S. Junior National Team to a silver medal finish in the 
World Junior Tournament last December. The silver medal marked the best 
finish ever for a U.S. Junior National Team.
  It is often said championships are won with defense. Junior 
goaltender Steve DeBus' play truly inspired this young team. DeBus led 
the conference in wins, was among conference leaders in save percentage 
and goals against. His calm under intense pressure and cat-quick 
reflexes gave his teammates confidence they had a chance in every game.
  Mr. Speaker, the Gophers celebrated their championship in grand 
hockey tradition; 25 student-athletes, circling the ice, each holding 
the MacNaughton Cup and proudly hoisting it high over their head. With 
this show of unity, the contributions of forward Casey Hankinson are 
proudly displayed. Casey, a junior co-captain, is the glue that held 
this team together. An emotional leader, his hard work in practice, at 
game time, and fiery intermission orations combined to inspire his 
teamsmates to strive for excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, today I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to 
the University of Minnesota hockey team, true champions of the heart as 
well as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

                          ____________________