The Michigan Daily-Thursday, January 28, 1982-Page 9
Fox plays
By CHUCK JAFFE
In the National-Hockey League, defensemen fall in-
three categories: enforcers, offensive defensemen,
d players like Greg Fox.
Fox is fast becoming one of the NHL's premier
defensive specialists, but remains one of the league's
least recognized faces. The reason is that he plays
clean defensive hockey, without scoring the goals or
starting the fights. But the anonimity that shadows
Fox doesn't bother the former Michigan star.
"ASSISTS AND goals, if they come, are fine," the
like true defense-man
ta Flames during the 1978-79 season, Fox now teams
with All-Star Bob Murray, to give.the Hawks one of
the league's top defensive tandems.
"WITH THE way partners are, I think the trade
was made with him in mind Os my partner," Murray
said. "I'm an offensive defenseman, and he seldom
ever gambles, and he knows that I'm going to take
chances, and is ready for me to do that.
"Greg's style doesn't attract the press, but it takes
twenty guys to win the game," Murray added. "They
(defensive specialists) don't get the headlines, but
they are just as important to the team and even more
important sometimes."
Fox's role with the Black Hawks is to provide quiet
leadership, and consistent play. But occasionally, he
steps out of his 'role as a defensive leader and
becomes a scorer. That happened last year in a game
against Washington when Fox scored a 200-foot goal.
"WE WERE playing Washington, and (the
Capitals') Paul Mulvey wheeled around to clear. the
puck for them," Fox remembered. "But no one was
there for his pass, and it went all the way down the
ice, and somehow got by (Capitals' goalie Mike)
Palmateer and went in. I was the last guy to touch the
puck for us, so I got credit for it. I guess that's my
claim to fame."
But where most people credit Fox is with his defen-
sive game, much of which was developed during his
years at Michigan.
"When I first went to college, I never even thought
about pro hockey, because at 19 years old, I wouldn't
have been ready," Fox said. "Then I was drafted in
the 11th round by Atlanta, so I decided to give it a
try."
FOX'S DECISION proved to be a good one, and he
joined the Flames after spending only a season and a
half in the minors. Shortly thereafter, he was part of
a major trade to the Black Hawks, and has been star-
ting ever since.
"At first it was a bit of a shock, but I saw it as an
opportunity to get more ice time," Fox said. "The
Black Hawks had had the glory years and the glory
teams, but were only drawing small crowds. Then we
started picking things up around here. It's nice to be
in Chicago and on a team that makes the playoffs."
Fox would like to stay in Chicago for the rest of his
career. Although his contract expires at the end of the
season, the Michigan grad is confident of staying with
Chicago.
"I'M ON THE last year of my contract right now,"
the 28-year-old defenseman said. "I have an option
year, and I want to sign for another three years. After
that I'd like to go into coaching at some level."
Once coaching, Fox admits that he would stress his
forte, defensive hockey, to his team.
"Offense is something that almost takes care of it-
self, but to be able to teach defense is what most
players need," Fox said. "I definitely think I'd be a
defensive-minded coach."
BUT ANY coaching plans for Fox will have to wait
until the future, because he wants to keep'playing his
quiet, clean, hard-hitting brand of hockey.
"He's probably playing the best hockey of his life
right now," said Murray. "He'll get tired of hockey
long before his time runs out."
But no coach or defensive partner will ever get
tired of a player like Greg Fox.
6-2 '190-pound. Vancouver native said, "but I pride
myself on playing the defensive part of the game. I
don't really' work on my offense, although maybe I
hould.
"I'll hit people all the time," Fox continued. "But
you don't want to get that kind of (fighting)
reputation. You really don't want to be involved in
that all the time. I'd rather play good clean, hard-
hitting hockey."
It is that attitude which makes Fox a leader on the
Chicago Black Hawk team. Acquired from the Atlan-
EX-WOLVERINE GREG FOX moves the puck back into offensive territory
as the Black Hawks battle the Detroit Red Wings.
a
Michigan
Hockey
* Statistics
Individual
Tenacious 'Tippett hustles on ice
No. Name, Ps. . GP
16 Speers, C ..........25
7 Richmond, D ....... 25
14 Tippett, LW ........ 25
18 Dn. May, RW ....... 24
9 Kobylarz, C ......... 25
5 Brandrup, LW ...20
5 Richter, D ......... 24
21 Milburn, C.......... 18
22-Krussman, LW ...... 25
23 McCauley, RW ...... 25
3 Lundberg, D .......20
.17 Yoxheimer, C...... 25
15 Reid, LW ........... 24
8 McIntyre, c ...r...... 24
8 Perry, D ............ 25
11 Grade. C ........... 23
4 Neff, D ............ 19
2 Dg. May, D ........ 11
27 Tessier, LW......... 15
4 Hawkins, D ........ 12
McCrimmon, RW ... 3
30 Elliott,'G ........... 15
35 Mason, G ........... 12
12Noren, C ........... 7
20 HuberW .......... 3
1 Chiamp, G .......... 3
'M' BENCH ......... 25
A
9
20
14
7
5
10
5
8
4
5
8
3
6
3
6
3
1
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Ptl
25
25
24
16
13
11
11
11
9
9
8
8
7
6
'5
4
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
s P/M
5 18/36
5 22/44
10/20
19/38
8/16
2 157/31
1 20/40
11/22
15/30
4/8
1 10/20
1 14/28
3/6
6/12
6/12
14/28
11/23
4/8
2/4
1/2
2/4
2/4
1/2
0/0
0/0
0/0
2/4
By BARB BARKER
Brad Tippett is a hustler.
Last season, the 22-year-old
Wolverine icer was voted "hardest
worker" by the WCHA coaches.
Currently, the. junior right winger is
second on the Michigan squad in overall
points this season, having notched 10
goals and 14 assists.
AFTER THIS season's opening series
with Michigan Tech, Huskie coach John
Maclnnes told Michigan coach John
Giordano that he "would trade any
three forwards of your choice for Brad
Tippett."
"I believe if you're (he type of person
who works hard," said Tippett, "it will
rub off on everything else. Bobby Clark
of Philadelphia is a good example of
that. I suppose there are some players
whose main concern is to score points,
but your team can score 10 points and
still lose, 11-10."
The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
native's hard work and hustle is not
limited to the ice as he is currently a
first year business school student who
is hoping to major in tax accounting. In
addition,-he has been employed for four
and a half years by the accounting firm
of Delloitte, Haskins and Sells.
TIPPETT explained that sometimes
it can be difficult to balance business
school and hockey.
"I really don't find the school work
too tough," he said. "It is frustrating'
sometimes because of the limited
amount of time I have to work on it, but
I gladly give the time to hockey."
By the time he graduates, Tippett
should be well prepared to enter the
business world. He said his ultimate
IM Stores
TUESDAY
Basketball
Independent
'Diques 51, Styffers 47
The Heels 46, Golden Turkeys 38
G.C.'s 41, The Smegs 40
Coke Whores 40, Couzens 38
Leaping Lords 44, Coral Reefers 33
Lakers 36, Tins of Tuna 32
Superstar
Skywalkers 53, Qophers 43
America 1982 65, Blizzards 45
Fraternity
Kappa Alpha Psi 87, Nu sigma Nu 43
sigma Alpha Nu 54, Theta xI 28
Graduate/Faculty/Staff
ABC's 57, DSDC 16
Phi Alpha Kappa 37, Wildcats 36
goal is to play professional hockey.
"I WANT TO play in the NHL," he
said. "I've been playing hockey since I
was three-years-old. Hockey is a
tradition in my family. My father
played and my brother is playing at
North Dakota. I also want to tryout for
the Olympic team."
As a member of the 1978-1979 Prince
Albert Raiders Canadian National
Championship team, the Wolverine
winger was a highly sought-after
collegiate recruit. Tippett explained
that he chose to come to Michigan
because "the other schools were put-
ting a lot of recruiting pressure on me;
Michigan was willing to wait, and I
knew they had a good business school."
Michigan center Ted Speers, who has
played on the same line as Tippett for
the past three years, is one icer who
seems to feel that his team is lucky to
have "a player like Brad on the team."
"HE'S A VERY intelligent player
who uses his hard work as a means to
an end," said Speers. "I've been
playing with him a long time and I think
he's got to be one of the hardest workers
on the team."
Tippett said that he is satisfied with
his play thus far this season.
"Overall, I'm satisfied with my
play-relatively speaking," he said.
"My point totals haven't been what I
expected, but points aren't everything.
Our team is more defense-oriented. I
think we have the top defense in the
league."
The Wolverine forward did say there
is one thing he would like to improve
upon.
"I want to grow," he said. "I really
need to work on my strength. Right now
I weigh between 160-165 pounds. That's
not big enough if you want to play pro."
REVIEW PROGRAMS
Our 18 hour seminar for Feb. 20
LSAT meets in Ann Arbor Feb. 12,
13, and 14.
800-243-4767
and :Bar_
F"'.-
Restaurant
Goalie Statistics
HOSPl aIm
Goalie (Records)
P. Mason (7-3-1) ..
J. Elliott (54-4)....
0. Chiamp (10-0) .
G
12
15
3
Min
570:19
872:13
97:28
GA Avg.
24 2.53.
43 2.96
6 3.70
Say
265
415
36,
too 1
0
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-pw
q.
MICHIGAN (13-7-5) 25
OPPONENTS (7-135) 25
1540:00 74. 2.88 716
1540:00 86 3.35 661
Team
MICHIGAN
U- M Department of
Frederick Knott's
Theatre and Drama Presents
.
SOFT
ON SOAPS?
Don't miss
the General
Hospital
Happy Hour
Goals............
Shots on Goal
Goalie Saves ........
enalties ............
I
26
235
222
59
2
36
233
276
86
3
24
260
203
74
OT
0
19
15
1
Totals
86
747
716
220
Will Luke and Laura find
happiness? Will Heather
beat the rap? Will Lila lose
the Quartermaine millions?
Find out each day at 3 p.m. as
the Stage Door tunes ip to the
latest episode of GH murder,
money, marriage and mayhem.
Along with your favorite cast of
characters, we'll have quiet,
comfortable seating. And
Happy Hour Drink-prices.
D
M
NOM REUMMIRM
OPPONENTS
a.
'
Goals ............
Shots on goal........
Goalie Saves ......
Penalties .......
z
24
246
209
70
2°
25
301
197
71
3
25
228
236
70
OT' Totals
0 74
15 790
19 661
0 211
. ippett
.. , hard worker
Feb. 3-6, 8:00 pm Mendelssohn Theatre
Tickets at PTP Mich. League, 764-0450
The General Hospital Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m.,
only at the Stage Door. Hospital WhitesOptional.
300 S. Thayer a 769-3042 " Inside the Bell Tower Hotel
tCORES
NBA
etroit 106, Atlanta 107
Boston 131, New York 99
NHL
New York Islanders 6, Pittsburgh 2
New York Rangers 5, Washington 4
College Basketball
Missouri 86, Iowa State 73
Virginia 69, Wake Forest 66
Tennessee 66, Georgia 64
t , '+
q. a
I /ra Tm1
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