A Serratore commits to Gophers

Frank and Tom Serratore played for Greenway, Don Lucia for Grand Rapids. So they have the same hockey roots.

Now they have something else in common. Frank's son will play for Lucia next season. Tom Serratore has committed to the U.

"I used to go to their games when I was young and everybody knows the Gophers and the fans are great," Tom Serratore, the player, is quoted as saying in a story on the USHL web site.

"I really feel like my hard work has paid off.

"They [the Gophers coaches] said they needed a player like me," Serratore said. "They're looking for me to be a hard-working player and finish my checks."

Hmmm, should we read something into that quotes? Critics of Lucia and the present team might snicker and say this team has too few of those type of players.

Youngstown Phantoms coach Curt Carr said, "Minnesota has been keeping a close eye on Tom all year. They're a very skilled hockey team and he'll bring his speed, grit and determination to their lineup. He has a lot more skill than people give him credit for."

Here is the USHL story on him:

http://www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=3079

GOALIE PROSPECT DOING WELL

Goalie Joel Vienneau, who the Gophers brought to the Twin Cities for the North Dakota series in mid-January, is playing well for his team the Kingston Voyagueurs.

Kingston beat Vaughan four games to one in the first round of the OJAHL playoffs. In the series, Vienneau was 4-1 with a 1.80 goals-against average, a .937 save percentage and two shutouts.