14 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 5, 2002 TIMES, THEY ARE CHANGING Daily Sports Editors Joe Smith and Charles Paradis chatted with Boston Bruins' goalie Steve Shields about the new climate in college hockey THE MICHIGAN DAILY: You started go to the next level. The only way it back into the draft (The "Van Ryn as a freshman in goal and Alvaro can be a negative is if they're get- rule" states that if a college player is Montoya is expected to do the same ting bad advice, being told that they drafted, and he decides to play major next season. What advice would you are ready before they really are. juniors, the team that drafted him give him? Guys like Komisarek (a defense- originally will lose their rights to him STEVE SHIELDS: When I broke in as, men) are probably going to spend a and he will reenter the draft the next a freshman, there was probably a lit- year in the minors minimum, so you year). When you have your leverage tle less pressure because the team might as well get it over with earli- you have to take advantage of it. wasn't as well known as they are now er, then it might be in your best TMD: Do you think that the Van and wasn't as interest to leave. But you never want Ryn loophole has been bad for col- consistently good to see guys leave and not play their lege hockey? as it is now. There four years with guys that have that SS: I think it's bad for the quality was a junior here commitment. It's negative when the of the game. It might open doors for to start the sea- guys wait until the last minute to guys that are coming to college won- son, so there was- leave because you leave the team dering if it's going to be a bad expe- n't that pressure shorthanded. rience to play in college. It gives like there has TMD: Do you think that agents guys a chance to come here that been on the guys have more of a presence today than might not come, but in the same after me (Marty they did when you played college respect, you're. going to lose some Turco and Josh hockey? guys early. Blackburn) that Shields SS: There's more of them, which TMD: What's changed the most? have had to step in and perform right means there are more bad ones, The kids or the system? off the bat. Now with the program which means more guys are getting SS: The system has changed, but being so good, they can get top quali- bad advice. You have to be careful the kids are still the same as the guys ty goalies that are coming out of high with what you're hearing because the I came in here with. They really have school that are more than capable of only way an agent gets paid is if pro aspirations when they get here, coming in and doing the job, and it you're getting paid. You just have to but they're totally focused on going - looks like Al Montoya is of the same take that into consideration. to school. mold as the other guys. TMD: Do you think there is more TMD: What are they missing their TMD: Were you surprised to see pressure on these guys to take the senior year? Mike Komisarek and Mike Cam- money when they can get it? SS: They're missing a great time, malleri leave Michigan early to go SS: I think that they have more a chance to win a national champi- to the NHL? leverage now. (Cammalleri and onship, a chance to graduate with SS: I didn't have the option like Komisarek) had the option of going your class. If you don't graduate, it's they have, but there's a lot at stake to play (Major Junior League hock- pretty tough to come back in the for these guys with the money that's ey), and that's their leverage right summers and do it. There are some out there for the younger guys. I there - put the team (that drafted guys in my class that are still trying can't blame the guys for wanting to them) under the gun, and possibly go to finish their degree, but you have to ALUMNI Continued from Page 13 V "My senior year was that special and it all came down to a head where you kiss the ice for the last time, and - I think that's an experience in itself. Age To go three years and not kiss that ice on Senior Night probably wouldn't make it all worth it if you didn't have -'17 778the opportunity to do that." But Turco and his dedication are not a thing of the past. Even though the Dallas netminder graduated four Sun. Tr 110 a. to 10 p. N.University years ago, some players still maintain Sr. - t.30 a.. to as: pm that dedicated sensibility. Players like sHto Jay Vancik, who graduated last year, returned along side Turco for the s Alumni game. .il i "It was sort of strange (playing in TONY DING/Daily Former Michigan netminder Steve Shields (1991-1994) was the winning goaltender Friday night when he faced off with Marty Turco and Kevin O'Malley. do what you have to do. You are missing out on a lot of stuff. TMD: What do you think of the fact that guys are trading their last years at Michigan for possibly a year or two in the minor leagues? SS: The minors aren't very fun. Nobody wants to be there. No one wants to ride the bus. When you turn pro, it's your job now. When you play in the minors, you're playing in towns you don't want to be in with guys who are battling for spots. If you're leaving college to play in the minors, then it's a bad decision. If you're a goalie or a defenseman, you're definitely going to play in the the Alumni Game)," said Vancik, who will be trying out for a spot in the AHL in the upcoming weeks. "I don't feel like an alumni. It's only heen a few months and I'm already playing in the Alumni Game. Now you're thinking about how quick the four years go by, and it is great to come back here and see some of my class- mates and some of the guys before me that I played with the last four years." "In a program, we don't really want players here that put themselves first, for whatever reason," Turco said. "I think the four years are so special here that the guys that have stayed and turned down money in the previ- ous years have shown it was the right thing to do." minors 99 percent of the time. TMD: Do you think that kids real- ize that even though they may be "penciled in" an NHL lineup, pencils have erasers? SS: They're hearing it from the team and they're hearing it from their agents at that point - especially when they're trying to get a kid out of school. They'll tell him whatever he wants to hear. Come training camp, they might throw you on that line they promised you, but if you show up the first day and don't look good, you're not on that line. That's the thing about the pros - there's no more patting you on the back. M' Young heads over seas to compete mn Belgium A~ Former Michigan basketball play- er Chris Young has signed a con- tract with Antwerpen in the Belgian professional league. Young, the Wolverines' MVP from last season, averaged 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Young opted to play professionally in Europe instead of trying his hand in the NBA's Developmental League, after failing to make the Pistons' roster as a free agent. - Staff reports Softball attracts junior transfer to join team Michigan softhall coach Carol Hutchins inked one of the premier junior college transfers to join her team next season. Jennifer Olds, who played for national champion Lansing Community College, led the nation with 30 homeruns in 195 atbats. "Her ability to hit for power is a great asset, especially considering how big of a role the homerun is starting to play in college. We also feel she will be a great fit for our pro- gram as well as a great representative of the University of Michigan," Hutchins said. - Staff reports t +U of M It "iIifI Get your dishes, utensils, ,gtasses, Muss, pots, pans, Linen, clothing an MuCh More: VERY, VERY CHEAP! AA Airport Shuttle Express Spclad zbg i AIn prt Trasprtati. Special Rate for Students Lowest FARE Aroniul For Rservatius Cal 734 384 lI * Metro Detroit Hotels, aaairportshuttleexpress.com " U of M Hospital & Campuses PTO THRIFT SHOP 1621 S.State " Telephone 996-9155 1 mile south of The Michigan Union, inside Bargain Books HOURS: Tuesday-Friday llam-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday llam-5pm. CLOSED MONDAY.