[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE MIDDLEBURY PANTHERS MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Middlebury College men's ice hockey team on winning its third straight 
NCAA Division III National Championship with a victory over St. Norbert 
College on March 19.
  After eight national titles in the last 12 years, there is little new 
that can be said about Middlebury hockey. The eight national 
championships, including this recent three-peat, speak for themselves. 
Under the leadership of Coach Bill Beaney, the Panthers have achieved 
an unprecedented level of success, making them the envy of college 
hockey programs everywhere.
  Last week, in reaction to the Panthers' hat trick of national titles, 
the Burlington Free Press called Middlebury hockey players ``talented, 
determined, motivated student-athletes . . .'' Although this 
description goes without saying, it reminds us that this great hockey 
team is comprised of students that must balance their athletic and 
academic responsibilities. At a college as academically renowned and 
demanding as Middlebury, balancing these responsibilities is no easy 
task, and these great student athletes must be commended for their 
efforts both on and off the ice. As a U.S. Senator from Vermont, I am 
proud to have such a great academic institution in our State, and I am 
also proud of the incredible hockey program Middlebury has developed.
  I congratulate each member of the team: head coach Bill Beaney, 
assistant coach Chris LaPerle, assistant coach Frank Sacheli, student 
assistant Ryan Cahill, manager Ryan McQuillan, Ross Cherry, Tom 
Maldonado, Jed McDonald, Samuel Driver, Jack Kinder, Ryan Harrington, 
Mickey Gilchrist, Darwin Hunt, Jamie McKenna, Eric LaFreniere, Justin 
Gaines, Evgeny Saidachev, Robert MacIntyre, Mack Cummins, Jeff Smith, 
Brett Shirreffs, John Sales, Doug Raeder, Kyle Koziara, Ian Drummond, 
Richie Fuld, Yen-I Chen, Jocko DeCarolis, Leonard Badeau, Mason 
Graddock, and Scott Bartlett.
  Again, congratulations, Panthers, on another national title and 
another fantastic season.

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