michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu SOT I MONDAY JULY 15, 2002 DEFENSIVE BLUE GENES Defenseman Danny Richmond is poised to take his place in the family business ormer Michigan women's basket- ball forward Jeanne Richmond knew immediately that her son, Danny, had no business following in her footsteps. When Danny and his twin sister, Jenny, were growing up, they played some intense games of one-on-one, and it was Jenny that was "always able to get around Danny." "His only defense was to hack," Jeanne said. "He clearly didn't have a future in basketball." Sometimes, the entire family would come together on the hardwood at their Buffalo Grove, Ill. gym. Steve Rich- mond, Danny's father and a former Michigan hockey defenseman, com- bined with Danny to create the family's own version of the "bad boys." "Mom comes out and she can just destroy us," said Danny, who will be a freshman at Michigan in the fall. "I did- n't get that gene from her, that went to my sister. I'm kind of a hack out there. It's more like hockey on a basketball court - full contact." Steve and Jeanne met at Michigan during their freshman year in 1979 when he came to her dorm and intro- duced himself. During the next four ONE MORE TIME Forward Jeff Tambellini will get another chance to put an end to age discrimination By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Editor en Jeff Tambellini dons the on players several years older than him- maize-and-blue sweater next self. season at Yost Ice Arena, he "For me it was always just the chance will be one of the youngest players on to get to play with the best players," the Michigan hockey team. But if histo- Tambellini said. "Just to get the chance ry repeats itself, the young forward to play with those guys has been great." could end up as one of the Wolverines' Despite being the youngest player on top scorers. the Chiefs, Tambellini's 46 goals and 71 Playing against older players is noth- assists placed him second on the team in ing new for the British Columbia native both categories and first on the team in and scoring against them is something points. The tough competition is a good he has done arena for young players to develop. throughout his "Jeff, not unlike most players who hockey career. get to the next level, has always had to With the Chilli- excel against older players," said Steve wack Chiefs of the Tambellini, the Vice President of Player British Columbia Personnel for the Vancouver Canucks Hockey League, and Jeff's father. "I think that's the best Tambellini demon- way for one to improve, to play against strated his skill players who are stronger and better." and proved him- Tambellini The elder Tambellini is responsible self a potent scor- for scouting and player development for ing threat, even at a young age. Vancouver and as such, brings a differ- "That's been the history for him, ent perspective to the game. But he being a young kid and playing with admits that sometimes it is hard to keep older guys, because he has so much the scout's perspective. skill," Chilliwack Chiefs' head "Normally, when I go to watch hock- coach and General Manager Harvey ey games, I'm going there emotionally Smyl said. unattached," Steve said. "It is different Tambellini scored 117 points in just when you are watching as a parent. 54 games last season to become the Obviously you care about what's hap- league's leading scorer at the age of 18 pening. At times you are not able to in a league in which he played against work as I would do normally when Iam some players who were in their early watching Jeff. You have to be a parent 20s. The opportunity to play against sometimes, too." the best was the reason Tambellini took See TAMBELLINI, Page 12 TONY DING/Daily (top), Michigan Athletic Media Relations (right) Danny Richmond (top) joins the Michigan defense next season, playing the same position that his father, Steve (right), played for the Wolverines. years, he would leave his mark on the Michigan record books as the only blue- liner to lead the team in scoring in a sea- son (54 points in 1980-81). He also holds the record for most career goals by a Michigan defenseman with 40. Jeanne, unlike her future husband, didn't integrate offense into her game. She was told by her coach during her freshman season to "never shoot the ball again." Jeanne had to accept her role as a defen- sive specialist and eventually became the player whose main role was to set picks for the Wolverines' leading scorer. With a such a defensive, maize-and- blue combination, it's no surprise that Danny will join the Wolverines this fall on the ice as one of the most talented defensive recruits in the country. "(Defense) is not much glory, but I'll tell you, both Steve and I have come from that kind of background," Jeanne said. "Defensive play was really stressed in the sports we played and that kind ofrubbed off on Danny too." Danny led the United States Hockey League's Chicago Steel in scoring last season with eight goals and 45 assists in 56 games and was the league's top See RICHMOND, Page 11 I amp- -,T- l M M M I w I a - m w A CIA Cafe .Ambrosia 326 !MaynardSt Great Coffee (jreat Prwces Esyresso Cayyucciiw Pastries Saonday -rd 7AM - ioT.9i SaraySund seize7 the__________ BUDGET HOTELS London.......................$491 Amsterdam................$666 from Paris..........................$567 Rome.........................$711 Madrid .....................$666 San Jose, C.R..........$573 Fare is roundtrip from Detroit. Subject to change and availability. Tax not included. 1T RAVEL Michigan Union Ground Floor, PMB#151 734.769.2555 1103 South University, Ste.1 734-668.8550 1218 South University Ave. 734.9980200- - - B. 0.77 .0 1 ' o YU CJ Z -" from ,c ercs ae nfn andlgfve us a dry!