The Michigan Daily -Thursday, September 9, 1993 -17
Former Wolverine dons his country's colors
* By CHAD A. SAFRAN
DAILY SPORTS EDITOR
CROMWELL,Conn.-Dave Rob-
erts' thoughts were far from being fo-
cused on the 1994 Olympics following
a disappointing USA Cup last Decem-
ber. How far? Say, the distance from
Ann Arbor to the site of the games -
Lillehammer, Norway.
Michigan's second all-time leading
point producer would complete his
stand-out career for the Wolverines,
before heading to St. Louis and an NHL
career with the Blues, who drafted him
in the sixth round of the 1989 Entry
Draft.
bygones be bygones."
That does not mean Roberts and St.
Louis GeneralManager Ron Caron have
not had discussions concerning Rob-
erts' future with the Blues.
"We've been talking for the last
couple of months," Roberts said. "It's a
difficult decision to make. I'm glad I
don't have to make it right now."
Taylor knows that Roberts can make
an impact on the club's showing in the
pre-Olympic tune-ups as well as the
Games themselves.
"He's very versatile with lots of
skill," said Taylor, who is taking a year
off from his head coaching position at
stead of the traditional 200' x 85' ice
surface in most college and NHL are-
nas. In addition, the space betweeen the
back of the goal and the boards is greater.
It all adds up to more of a passing
game, not the more physical dumping
andchasing dominantinNorthAmerica.
Ifaplayeris not in shape, he'll be sitting
next to the oxygen tank rather than
rushing the puck up the ice.
"I like the bigger rink more," Rob-
erts said. "It is much more open."
Despite his hockey tools, Roberts
was still a bit apprehensive when the
coaches came to the players' rooms at
the hotel to announce the roster.
in plus-minus rating and was Michigan's
steadiest performer. Neaton was not
one of the 25 who remained at the
team's home base in Cromwell on Aug.
11.
"It was sad to see him go," said
Roberts, who roomed with Neaton at
theteamhotelfromAug. 3-10."Ithought
Pat had a chance. It had to be a difficult
decision for the coaches to make. I
wouldn't want to choose."
Despite being nearly five months
removed from Michigan's 4-3 loss to
Maine in this year'sNCAAfmals, Rob-
erts is still reminded of his final colle-
giate game.
However, Roberts may get to meet
one of his former teammates in
Lillehammer for an on-ice reunion.-
Former Michigan captain and
defenseman David Harlock, who played
from 1989-1993 with Roberts, is trying
out for Team Canada
"It would be great to play against
Dave," Roberts said. "I always enjoy
playing against people I know and I
don't let up."
And while it may be boring to sit in
a Holiday Inn in Connecticut, some-
times Roberts does allow himself to
think about the situation he has entered.
"When you sit back and think about
it, it's a pretty special event. It's another
stepping stone; another challenge to
look forward to."
. Dave Roberts has made his personal
past mental history and perhaps if he
can continue to improve, he will help
Team USA make hockey history.
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Dave Roberts looks to continue the success he enjoyed at Michigan as he prepares for the 1994 Olympic hockey team. The games are being staged in Lillehammer, Norway.
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However, something happened on
the way to the Gateway City.
Roberts putthe differences thatarose
with Team USA coach Tim Taylor dur-
ing the USA Cup behind him and de-
cided to attend USA Hockey's Olympic
training camp at the Tri-Town Sports
Center in Cromwell, Conn.
Following eight days of practices
and various workouts, Roberts remained
as one of 25 players selected to play for
the U.S. in its pre-Olympic schedule
from a pre-camp roster of 36. This all
but assured him of a spot on the squad
which willrepresent the Red, Whiteand
Blue in February.
"You can't make decisions based on
emotions," Roberts said. "You have to
look athow beneficial itcan be andhow
much growth can occur. You have to let
Yale. "He's comfortabale on the power
play. He could be a real force."
Yet Roberts and Taylor realize
Michigan's all-time assist leader can
improve on some skills between now
and February.
"I need to work on my skating,"
Roberts said.
"He needs to work on his tenacity,"
Taylor added.
What has given Roberts an advan-
tage over many of his fellow teammates
is his physical conditioning. After work-
ing out all summer, he is undoubtedly in
the best shape of his life, a huge asset in
the international game.
If college hockey rinks were your
front lawn, then the international sur-
face would be a farmer's field. For the
Olympics, the rink is 200' x 100' in-
"It is a sense of relief not to get cut.
I tried out in 1992, so I know what it
feels like tobecutand Ican handle itjust
a little bit better."
One former Wolverine who discov-
ered how it feels to be cut is PatNeaton.
Last season, Neaton was a first-team
all-CCHA defenseman who led the team
Why?
The "Maine" reason - six Black
Bears dot the roster.
"We joke about it a bit," Roberts
said. "But you don't dwell on it. It is one
thing you dream of and I don't know if
you ever get over it. Wehadpretty good
back-to-back years."
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Stewart forgoes final
year for pro contract
By CHAD A. SAFRAN in the Central Collegiate Hockey C
DAILY SPORTS EDITOR ference for the 1992-93 season
on-
The Michigan hockey team will be
without its leading returning scorer for
the 1993-94 season. Forward Cam
Stewart, who was tobe asenior, agreed
to terms with the Boston Bruins Aug.
31.'The contract was reported to be a
one-way deal in the area of $1 million
over three years.
The pact was also reported to be
similar to the deal former Wolverine
defenseman Aaron Ward received from
the Detroit Red Wings. The players
share the same agent. Stewart was at
Boston's training camp when it opened
yesterday.
Stewart, 21, was elected co-captain
along with Brian Wiseman for the up-
coming campaign.
"Cam will always be a credit to
Michigan. Wereally hatetoloseaplayer
of Stewart's status and experience,"
Michigan head coach Red Berenson
said. "He would have been a great
senior leader for us."
The Waterloo, Ont., native was
Boston's second pick, 63rd overall in
the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Stewart
amassed 20 goals and 38 assists in 39
games last season. His total of58 points
placed him third on the club and eighth
The5'11",195-poundwingerplayed
in 127 games over his three-year career
with the Wolverines, amassing 41 goals
and77 assists for 118points, togo along
with 297 penalty minutes.
"The team faces a big challenge
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trying to fill the gap left behind,"
Berenson said. "It creates an opportu-
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previously, there was no chance for
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