The Michigan Daily
SPORTS
Friday, August 7, 1987
Page 15
Norton eyes '88 Olympics
Defenseman may
miss 'M' season
By DARREN JASEY
The Central Collegiate Hockey
Association playoffs ended in bitter
disappointment for Michigan - two
close losses to Michigan State at
Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing.
Back then no one gave it much
thought, but those were probably
captain Jeff Norton's last games in a
Wolverine uniform.
Norton is regarded as a top
candidate to play defense for the U.S.
National team this fall and earn a
spot on the Olympic team that will
compete next February in Calgary,
Alberta. If that happens he will not
play for Michigan next season.
Today he joins 32 others,
ineluding former Michigan
teammates center Brad Jones and
defenseman Todd Copeland, in Lake
Placid, N.Y., for the Olympic trials.
U.S. National Team head coach
Dave Peterson will select 24 or 25
players to play exhibitions against
various amateur and professional
teams before camp breaks at the end
of the month. He will then pare the
roster down to 20 for the Olympics.
"NORTON is one of our better
defensemen coming into camp,"
Peterson said. "We expect him to
make the team and be a good
defenseman for us. He's a strong
defenseman and plays a strong type
defense. He's a very good player."
The Michigan senior is one of ten
defensemen in Lake Placid
competing for the final six or seven
spots on the Olympic roster.
Norton totalled 12 goals and 36
assists in his junior season to lead
all Wolverine defensemen and place
third on the team overall. His
departure will leave head coach Red
Berenson with no senior defensemen
and one junior in Myles O'Conner.
Norton, though, has no reservations
when it comes to playing for the
gold.
"Playing in the Olympics is
something I've always wanted to '
do," Norton said. "It's been a goal
ever since the '80 team. It's a
tremendous stepping stone to
making a career out of hockey.
"If I'm with the Olympic team I
don't think I'll feel bad at all (about
not playing at Michigan). I'd rather
be at the Olympics. I think (the
Wolverines) are going to be a lot
better this year. They'll challenge a
lot more. They've got four good
classes right there."
AFTER THE Olympics Norton
has the choice of playing out his
final year of eligibility at Michigan
in 1988-89 or turning professional.
He was a third-round draft choice of
the New York Islanders in 1984.
Regardless of the decision he
plans on getting his degree. Said
Norton, "Whether I come back for
hockey or not I'm going to make
(34 credits) up-definitely."
Norton's road to the Olympics
began with the Pravda Cup last
spring, where he participated with
the U.S. team against several Doily Photo by JOHN MUNSON
European teams and Canada. That is Former Michigan captain Jeff Norton hopes to repeat the miracle of 1980 at the '88
where Peterson got a good look at Olympics in Calgary.
him. think he deserves to go to Lake LOOK YOUR BEST!
"When I went over to Russia it Placid."
helped me," Norton said. "As a Jones, Michigan's electrifying If your hair isn't becom-
result (Peterson has) seen a little center for the past four years, also CLASSIFIEDS
more of me than he has a few of the has an inside track to the Olympic AiREAeGoRng to Yush
others (at the tryouts)." team. His 32-goal, 46-assist season WAY TOGETbe coming to us
THE OLYMPIC road then a year ago was good enough to put DASCOLA STYLISTS
took the 6-2, 195-pounder to North him at the top of the all-time OppositIaVcoison MpleViIg.
Carolina for the Olympic Sports Wolverine scoring list. The CA LL 764-0557+- 9'1.27
Festival two weeks ago. There he Winnipeg Jets await Jones' arrival
contributed two assists and steady after his Olympic venture ends.
defense to the South team's silver
medal effort.
Michigan Daily
That event also showcased an MihgnD l
improved Copeland, the highly SPORTS$150
touted defenseman who managed two 763-0376 OFF . o.
goals and 11 assists in his first year Adu____ein_
at Michigan. He, like Norton, tallied Adlt[sinBring in this ad for
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well enough to be invited to Lake' Michigan Daily 1 or 2 1 ,dets
Placid. However, his chances of
making the Olympic team are slim.ARTS cUPN Steve MartIn ack Nicholson
th6Oymic slm.ROXANNE Witches of
"He's a longshot," said Peterson. 7630379 P0 Eastwick cR
"He played well in the Festival and I
I Norton...
strong defense