On the Road to Albertville With Harvard's Ted Drury

For Ted Drury, the accolades and praise never seem to stop.

Ever since his senior year at Fairfield Prep in Trumbull, Conn., Drury has basked in the glory of being one of the top amateur hockey players in the nation.

From Ivy League Rookie of the Year to Captain of the Junior National Hockey team and now to candidate for the United States Olympic team, Drury continues to distinguish himself as the kind of player coaches dream of--a crafty, agile forward with lighting speed and impeccable stick-skills.

On Friday night, Drury again demonstrated his talents for Harvard hockey fans. This time, however, as a member of the opposition. The junior played with poise and intensity, gliding on the ice as skillfully as he ever has and tallying one assist (on a power-play goal netted by linemate Bill Guerin).

His former coach is certainly impressed with Drury's play as of late.

"He was a heck of a hockey player at the beginning," Harvard Coach Ronn Tommassoni said after the game. "He's made some great strides. I think he's one of the most consistent players out there."

Team USA Coach Dave Pederson--who must still trim his roster by four before heading to France in 1992--also chipped in a few cautious words of approval.

"He's good on the power play and very crafty with the puck," Pederson said. "He's getting better as he gets in better shape."

But don't let Pederson's uninspired assessment of Drury fool you. The unofficial word on the street is that, of all the Harvard players competing for the final spots on the team (a list which includes Hobey Baker winners Lane MacDonald and Scott Fusco), Drury is a lock.

With so much pressure on him, then, it seems only natural that Drury might be a little nervous, a little anxious and worried. Yet, throughout it all, Drury remains subdued about his success and continues to approach the game as he always has--with youthful energy and vibrance, and a respect for his fellow players.

"It's been great, a lot of fun," Drury says. "I've been lucky to be on a steady line with Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk. It helps out a lot to know who you're going to be with."

For Drury, it's the passion for the game, the chance to learn that makes playing with the national team so worthwhile.

Playing alongside the top talent in the nation, Drury has had to cope with a shift in his role. Once captain of the Junior National team, Drury is now one of the youngest members of the prospective Olympic squad. No longer the tutor, Drury must now play deferent student.

"It's been a completely different role," Drury says. "I'm just trying to fit in. I look to the older guys for help."

At the same time, Drury finds himself in a comfortable position.

"It wasn't a situation where I put on the U.S. jersey for the first time. My experience on the junior nationals got me in the right mindset. I wasn't in awe," he says.

Harvard also gave him unparalled preparation for Olympic competition. Not only has Athletic Director (and two-time Olympian) Bill Cleary been a staunch advocate of Crimson players going to the Olympics instead of the pros, but Harvard also plays a brand of hockey similar to that encountered in international competition.

"I think I was as well prepared, if not a little more, than the other guys for the style of game," Drury says. "Harvard plays the same kind of up-tempo offensive game. Our games are a little harder hitting, a little faster, a little stronger."

Drury's adjustment to the style of play is clear. The fourth-leading scorer on last year's team (behind the monster trio of Ted Donato, Peter Ciavaglia and Mike Vukonich), Drury has shined on several occasions during Team USA play.

Against the New Jersey Devils last Wednesday, Drury tallied one goal and one assist, upping his point total to 16 (in 24 games) and making him seventh in scoring on the national squad.

The most memorable moment, he says, was the first goal he scored as a member of the national team in an exhibition contest against the Buffalo Sabres on September 24.

He's even learned to appreciate some of the more taxing aspects of playing with Team USA. While he has grown weary of the incessant travel and somber hotel-life, Drury insists that there haven't been any downsides to the experience.

"It's been fun to see all the cities. I never would have gotten to see the country any other way," Drury says.

If Drury continues his level of play, he may even get a chance to see something more exciting than Detroit, Cleveland and St. Lake City. Come February, he may get the unique opportunity to march in the Olympic parade in Albertville, France.

Whether or not he adds that honor to his growing list of accomplishments, Drury remains a viable candidate for the pros. The Calgary Flames drafted him out of high school and would be more than a little pleased if he signed with them after his Team USA stint.

But that is one athletic opportunity Drury is willing to put off for the future.

"I'm definitely coming back to Harvard," Drury says with a slight touch of nostalgia and anticipation.

International hockey may be faster, more intense, but Ted Drury loves Harvard. And he loves Harvard hockey.