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 i , --^" l -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 i i 4