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Princeton University Athletics
Six-shooters
January 26, 2000 | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 26, 2000
PRINCETON, N.J. - It is not quite true to state that the decade of the 1990s has been the greatest in the history of Princeton men's hockey. This is, after all, a program that was a dominant force in eastern college hockey for much of the first half of the century. It is, however, safe to say that the last 10 years has been exceptionally kind to Tigers hockey fans. Under the tutelage of coach Don Cahoon, Princeton progressed to a point where it is a regular participant at the ECAC semifinals in Lake Placid, N.Y., and a regular contender for a berth in the NCAA tournament.
The Tigers' success in the '90s is inextricably linked to the play of some outstanding individuals. The list of superlative efforts necessary to accomplish Princeton's hockey renaissance is incomplete without the mention of, among others, Scott Bertoli '99, Dominique Auger '00, Jonathan Kelley '96 or Terry Morris '93. Yet only six players have the impeccable resumes necessary to earn the appellation "Player of the Decade" at his respective position. The Princeton All-Decade Team that follows is the product of a 10-voter poll of media members, Friends of Princeton Hockey, administrators and coaches. The Team of the Decade honors six players whose particular skills and leadership qualities set the standard for a new age of Princeton hockey. Forwards
Andre Faust '92
The Tigers' second-leading all-time scorer was, unquestionably, the most capable offensive performer to suit up for Princeton this decade. One can only wonder what Andre Faust would have accomplished had he been surrounded by more talent in his final two seasons, when opposing defenses were able to devote entire game plans to keeping him away from the puck. Faust tallied 150 points, including 63 goals, in 106 varsity games. He went on to record the first NHL goal by a Princeton graduate and is still earning a professional paycheck, now with the Augsburg Panthers in Germany. Faust's dazzling array of one-on-one moves embarrassed more than a few ECAC defensemen. With high school classmate Mike McKee '92, he was the first in a line of successful Tigers to matriculate from Upper Canada College in Toronto this decade.
Jeff Halpern '99
One does not have to look very far into the past to find arguably the greatest two-way player in Princeton lore. Jeff Halpern wrapped up his career with 141 points, third-best in Tigers history, while earning a reputation as a double threat by lining up as a defenseman in four-on-four situations. The Potomac, Md., native built his success on exceptional skating ability and an indefatigable work ethic. Each season he seemed to add another weapon to his ever-growing arsenal. He was also a clutch performer, earning ECAC All-Tournament honors twice and scoring countless key goals. Princeton's '98-'99 co-captain now skates a regular shift for the Washington Capitals. He leads all Capitals rookies in scoring (6g, 8a) and is tied for the team lead with two shorthanded goals. A notoriously indifferent dresser, his Washington teammates welcomed Halpern to the NHL by painting zebra stripes on his loafers.
Ian Sharp '95
Ian Sharp was the first-ever ECAC Defensive Forward of the Year in 1994. He was also the second such designee when he retained the honor as senior. The Ottawa, Ont., native passed up several scholarship offers to become the prize of coach Jim Higgins' final recruiting class. Sharp was a solid offensive contributor, posting 81 career points, but he was best known for his dominance in the defensive zone and faceoff circles. He captained the Tigers to their first-ever ECAC tournament semifinal appearance in his senior season. It is no coincidence that, with Sharp on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury in an upset win over Clarkson, the Tigers could not replicate the feat against Rensselear in the final. The gifted leader was also adept at stealth: He always managed to circumvent coach Don Cahoon's ban on junk food.
Defensemen
Steve Shirreffs '99
Halpern was the offensive catalyst for the most successful Princeton teams of the decade and Steve Shirreffs was its defensive conscience. The 6' 3", 220-pounder used his superior size and game sense to dominate the Princeton zone. One of only two Tigers to ever earn All-America honors, he was also an effective offensive performer. He finished as the Tigers' third all-time leading scorer among blueliners. A knee injury in his senior season robbed him of his proper due nationally, but made his value to the Tigers abundantly clear. Shirreffs recently was selected as one of Vermont's top 50 athletes of the Century by Sports Illustrated. He and Halpern could be reunited at any time as Shirreffs currently plies his trade for the Portland Pirates, the top farm team for the Washington Capitals. Off the ice, Shirreffs' understated comic delivery served him well in his ancillary duties as judge of the team's Kangaroo Court.
Sean O'Brien '94
Expectations were not high for this average-sized freshman defenseman from Roxbury Latin Academy, a minnow in the pond of Massachusetts prep school programs. Yet Sean O'Brien emerged as an all-league de-fenseman at the end of his four years, big enough and strong enough to go on to a productive career in the International and American Hockey Leagues as a hard-hitting forward. O'Brien's skating skills were never in question. His speed and agility made him a threat to rush the puck at any time, and he finished as Princeton's all-time second leading scorer among defensemen. He might be the ultimate testimonial to coach Len Quesnelle's ability to teach the defensive aspects of the game, but O'Brien deserves much of the credit for his hard work in the weight room and for his off-season training. He also showed initiative away from the ice rink by founding a videotape delivery service with teammate Miro Pasic in an entrepreneurial move that bodes well for his post-hockey career.
Goaltender Erasmo Saltarelli '98
You could learn everything you need to know about Erasmo Saltarelli by watching a replay of the Tigers' 1998 NCAA tournament game against Michigan. Playing for the highest stakes of any contest in the program's history, Saltarelli was the star of the show. His aggressive style is responsible for several of Don Cahoon's gray hairs, but the Montreal native always got the job done when it mattered. He backed up James Konte '96 for two seasons before winning the starting job as a junior. Saltarelli went on to post two of the finest statistical seasons in Princeton history and set team records for saves in a season and career save percentage. He currently tends goal for the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League. Saltarelli's exuberant personality is "Exhibit A" for the old hockey chestnut "you have to be a little crazy to play goal."
Others receiving strong support for All-Decade honors include forwards Syl Apps '99, Casson Masters '98, defensemen Mike McKee '92 and Jeff Kampersal '92 and goaltender James Konte '96. Apps scored the biggest goal in Tigers history when his overtime tally sent Princeton to the NCAA tournament in 1998. Masters' blazing speed and positional sense made him a valuable compliment to any forward line. McKee earned All-ECAC honors on defense in '94 and enjoyed a brief NHL career before injuries forced him to retire. Kampersal, now the head coach of the Princeton women's varsity, was the league's most underrated defenseman as a senior, logging close to 30 minutes of ice-time per game. Konte was a three-time team MVP who backboned the Tigers in their climb up the ECAC ladder. by Geoff Howell