Taken from The Daily (10/12/00). The original article is here.

    While such references conjure up images of a sprawling Dominik Hasek or an antagonizing Chris Chelios, on a lesser scale, those same players exist on NCAA and even collegiate club championship teams.

    It's the physical play at the college level that's drawing the crowds.

    And its popularity is starting to boom on the West Coast as well. In Arizona, the university's hockey club has regular radio broadcasts.

    Here at the UW, hockey has also grown considerably.

    "We have gone from very few players when I started to two teams. The sport is definitely growing in the Seattle area, and now rink time is really at a premium," said third-year coach Cindy Dayley.

    Once described as the best-kept secret on campus, the secret is definitely out this season.

    "It's certainly getting popular with students on campus," said sophomore defenseman Kyle Bastien.

    Even women have gotten into the act. In places like Maine, Vermont and Minnesota, women's hockey has enjoyed attention and growth. At the '98 Nagano Winter Olympics, women's hockey was added as a medal sport. Just last month the NCAA announced the start of a women's Frozen Four.

    In fact, the coaches responsible for the growth of hockey at the UW are two women.

    "Myself and (assistant coach) Zoe Harris haven been more involved with getting women involved with hockey. We have worked hard to match the women with the proper Division I program, and we are in touch with a number of coaches around the country," Dayley said.

    "It's really cool to see several women playing on Team Husky this year. People don't realize it, but women's hockey has been around since the 1800s."

    The Huskies will once again bring their hard hits and slapshots to the Olympicview Ice Arena in Mountlake Terrace, where the club broke its attendance record a year ago. The club was successful in bringing out hockey fans from all parts of the University community, including former Husky football coach Jim Lambright.

    Anyone can join the hockey club, even those who have never laced up skates before. A second junior varsity squad, known as Team Husky, is formed for beginners to learn the fundamentals of the sport. But be advised that the cost is steep, it's costs $500 for equipment, ice time and jerseys.

    "Team Husky is a place for people who don't want to play on such a competitive level or can't afford it," Dayley said.

    "We do have some room, and we are hoping to get the word out from former current players to fill those extra spots."

    The Dawgs take to the ice for the first time this season with a pair of exhibition games this weekend against Seattle University, where final roster cuts for the Pac-8 team will be made.

    "We played exhibition against (SU) last year, and it's a good way to get our feet wet," Dayley said.

    Dayley and Harris have also added new features to this season's schedule. For the first time, the UW will face off against Oregon for the Interstate 5 cup, adding some prestige to the rivalry. The winner of the four-game series during the season will win the cup, and if the series is split a shootout will determine the victor.

    With veteran goalie Scott Southard and a bruising defensive line, the UW varsity team looks to qualify for the Pac-8 championships for the first time.

    "I think the main thing that led to high-scoring games last year was a lack in the fundamentals," Bastien said. "We want to play a physical game this year, hitting guys hard early and really controlling our zone."

All games are at Olympicview Ice Arena, 22202 - 70th Ave. W Mountlake Terrace. Call 425-672-9012 for directions. Tickets are $5  

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