Senior captain Kenny Smith said 14 returning players remained in Greater Boston during the offseason. They trained together at Harvard with strength and conditioning coach Sean Hayes, and some played in summer leagues in Hingham and Bridgewater.

“Having seen or spoken with most of the guys now, we are in really good shape as a team,” Smith said. “The hard work in the summer really paid off…I expect you will see the difference on the ice from having a team that has been working together and pushing each other for so long.” 

Representing the USA

From all reports out of Lake Placid during last month’s U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp, Harvard freshman defenseman Dylan Reese has played his way onto the bubble of the team that will compete in the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.

Now, the waiting – and watching – game is on, as USA Hockey will continue to evaluate prospects through the beginning of the season. The final roster will be announced about a month before the tournament, which takes place from Dec. 25, 2003 to Jan. 4, 2004, in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland, and includes the world’s best players under the age of 20.

“I don’t think Dylan could’ve had a much better camp than he did,” said Yale coach Tim Taylor ’63, a former U.S. Olympic head coach who attended the camp as a USA Hockey consultant. “He certainly upped his stock in those 10 days. He’s got a real shot at making it.”

If he does, Reese will be the first Harvard player to do so since junior Noah Welch, who missed the 2001-2002 tournament with an injury, and the first to participate since Brett Nowak ’03.

The U.S. coaching staff, led by Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves, asked Reese, known for his offensive capabilities, to show that he could be an all-around defenseman. So, in four exhibition games against the Fins and Swedes, he had one assist—but plenty of consistent play in his own end.

“I did what was asked of me as a player,” said the 6’, 184-pound Reese. “I just kept things simple and played solid D, and that definitely put me in the hunt for a spot.

“I think some of the other coaches who were grading the players had me marked down as a guy who they didn’t think would make it, but I think I opened a lot of people’s eyes with my play. Hopefully I’m one of the guys in competition for those last couple spots.”

Many have said this team will be among the best the U.S. has had, so it’s no surprise competition to make the team has been fierce. In Reese’s mind, he’s one of three or four players trying to make one of the last two spots for defensemen.

The final roster won’t be decided until mid-November or early December, so he’ll have the opportunity to impress USA Hockey coaches and consultants during the first month of the Crimson’s season.

Playing for what will surely be a nationally-ranked Harvard team while simultaneously trying to make the World Juniors roster will give Reese a pressure-packed introduction to college hockey, though his priorities seem to be in proper order.

“I’m dedicated to Harvard hockey,” he said. “That’s my team now. I’m not playing for the World Junior tournament right now. That comes as something extra if I play well and help my own team win.

“That first month is more about developing yourself as a player, making friends on the team, and getting the team going.”