NCAA: Crimson Tears

Finishing second in the ECAC was not enough for Harvard to qualify for the national tournament, as they fell 4-1 to Princeton in the championship game after getting the best of a much larger Cornell team 3-1. Despite the disappointing loss, Harvard is a young team with promising prospects, as McKeen's correspondent Max Giese has notes on several players, such as Buffalo draft pick Alex Biega.

David MacDonald (SJ), D, Harvard Crimson

Big and mobile stay-at-home senior defenseman .. blessed with fluid footwork for a big man, MacDonald fluidly pivots and possesses adequate quickness to win foot races to the puck .. could be sturdier on his feet given his size (6-4, 215) .. while his offensive upside is minimal, MacDonald does a decent job skating and handling the puck while making a clean first pass under pressure .. remains in a defensive posture at all times and is a reliable player to stay back to allow his teammates to go on the offensive attack .. aggressively uses his big frame to stand up his man at the blueline .. uses his size well for defensive positioning around the net and for winning battles along the wall .. Harvard's co-captain, MacDonald deserves an AHL roster spot and has shown enough to warrant a contract from the San Jose Sharks .. senior season totals: 34-2-5-7

Doug Rogers (NYI), C, Harvard Crimson

In only his sophomore season, Rogers is Harvard's second leading scorer and runs the powerplay from the half wall .. skating is the major deficiency, as he struggles to accelerate out of the gate and he lumbers with a lot of wasted movement when turning .. heady center that is a vocal general on the ice directing his linemates where to be on the ice at all times .. a threat to score when attacking the net with his quick release and soft hands .. offensive catalyst that is patient with the puck while distributing crisp passes on the powerplay .. displays good hustle on the backcheck with his strong stick to negate the opposition's rush .. gritty and has a knack for going into traffic areas than coming out with the puck .. will need to add more strength and improve his mobility to take the next step in his development .. sophomore season totals: 34-13-19-32

Matt McCollem (StL), RW, Harvard Crimson

Two-way winger with good speed and a polished defensive game for a freshman .. a prosperous all-access skater with a smooth stride that allows him to accelerate effortlessly in all directions .. displays a fine understanding for the defensive game by being active in anticipating where the play is heading while away from the puck .. good size (6-1, 205) and is willing to give or take a hit to make the play .. at his best offensively when he identifies the open seams in the opposition's defensive before using his speed to explode through them .. solid prospect that just needs to become more dynamic with the puck in upcoming seasons .. freshman season totals: 31-5-9-14

Alex Biega (Buf), D, Harvard Crimson

Skilled and mobile offensive defenseman with a cannon for a slapshot .. blessed with quick feet and a strong stride, Biega is a commanding skater that accelerates rapidly to his top gear in just a few strides .. with a quick release, Biega gets all of his momentum behind his pointshot that is an absolute bomb .. effectively fakes shots to open up passing lanes before displaying his skillful passing game .. will force a shot at times .. his mobility is a tremendous defensive asset, as he can pivot on a dime and explode quickly to negate the opposition's time and space .. maintains a tight gap with his man off the rush and thanks to his strong lower body, Biega can effectively play the body with some jam .. undersized but he handles himself well against larger opponents .. promising prospect if he continues to conquer his lack of height .. sophomore season totals: 34-3-19-22

Michael Biega (2008), LW, Harvard Crimson

Goal-scoring freshman that received ample icetime on the powerplay .. heavy footed with a glaring lack of quickness .. at his best while on the powerplay where his good shot and offensive instincts are displayed while playing in tight near the goal on the off wing .. a thick winger that likes to bang bodies and utilize his size to effectively win one-on-one battles .. effectively gains possession along the wall in the defensive zone but appears to lack the vision and poise with the puck to make a clean first pass, as he would rather just chip the puck up high and into the neutral zone .. competitive and strong on his feet, Biega plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame would indicate .. may be passed over again at this years draft due to skating concerns.

Freshman season totals: 34-9-7-16