Jerry Pawloski '88 wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

In his case, it was a hockey stick.

The new assistant men's hockey coach was a standout defender for Harvard from 1984-88, capturing numerous honors (including ECAC Co-Rookie of the Year in 1985) and helping Harvard to four NCAA tournament appearances.

"He's probably the best defenseman we've ever had," says Harvard Coach Ronn Tomassoni, who was an assistant coach while Pawloski was an undergraduate.

Current Harvard players agree that Pawloski serves a key role in maintaining Harvard's winning tradition.

"He was a winner, and he still is a winner as a coach," senior Tim Burke says.

During his career at Harvard, Pawloski recorded 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) in 116 games. In his senior year he posted a career-high five goals and 25 assists, and garnered the team Most Valuable Player award along with current Boston Bruins defender Don Sweeney.

After graduation, Pawloski did brief stints in professional hockey (the Harvard Whalers) and the business world, before joining Harvard last year as a volunteer assistant coach.

Pawloski filled his current position this past summer after initially turning down the offer.

"I am really fortunate to have Jerry," Tomassoni says. "The best thing I've ever done was not naming somebody else at that time."

Pawloski had big shoes to fill coming into this year. Former Assistant Coach Lane MacDonald '88-'89 was well-liked and well-respected among the players.

But Pawloski does not feel he has to imitate MacDonald, his former teammate and roommate while the two were at Harvard.

"I'm going to be a Jerry Pawloski, not a Lane MacDonald," Pawloski says. "I'm just taking over the position. He has his way. I have my way."

Coming into this year, many hockey experts predicted that Harvard would boast a solid defense. Thanks to Pawloski that prediction has come true.

"Jerry deserves all of the credit," Tomassoni says.