Basaraba's bid

Ex-UML star fighting to beat odds and make Lock Monsters roster

Wednesday, September 23, 1998

By BARRY SCANLON

Sun Staff

LOWELL -- Shannon Basaraba was a criminal justice major at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

But he's not bad at math, either. One of 12 free agents invited to try out for the Lowell Lock Monsters, Basaraba knows the odds against him making the team are slim.

The Lock Monsters will carry 20 or 21 players and the Islanders have a written agreement to provide their American Hockey League affiliate with 18 players.

That doesn't leave much room for Basaraba.

"It's definitely going to be a hard team to make," he said after Monday's practice at Tsongas Arena, the first in the franchise's history. "If for some reason it doesn't work out, I've heard from nearly all of the East Coast Hockey League teams.

"I'm not really worried about that part," he added.

Basaraba is realistic about his chances. But the 5-foot-11, 190-pound left wing from International Falls, Minn., says he's willing to do whatever it takes to remain playing in Lowell for a fifth straight year.

What about dropping the gloves and fighting?

"If it happens I'll be more than happy to do it," he said. "I just want to be able to make the team."

Basaraba was pleased to accept the invitation from the Lock Monsters. After all, he was in uniform last January when the River Hawks played Dartmouth to open Tsongas Arena, and he has many friends in the area.

"I hope I've got the advantage out here," he said, breaking into a smile. "It's going to be a little different. Right now nobody's really your buddy out on the ice. Off the ice all the guys seem to be great guys. But the thing is when you're out there it's all business."

An interested observer at Monday's practice was UMass Lowell head coach Tim Whitehead, the guy who recruited the speedy Basaraba.

"He's one of those guys who, even if you don't know hockey, you say, 'Wow, look at that guy,' " Whitehead said. "He's exciting for the fans to watch. I certainly believe he can play at this level. He can bring so many elements to a team. And he's only going to get better."

A superb penalty killer, Basaraba improved his point total every year he was in college, ending with 11 goals and 18 assists. In 142 games, he scored 95 points.

Whitehead said River Hawk players used to marvel at Basaraba, a diligent worker in the weight room, when the team's fitness test levels were posted.

Basaraba takes pride in his defensive play as well. Last season, he was the runner-up for Hockey East's Best Defensive Forward, trailing only All-American Chris Drury of Boston University.

Still, the name of Basaraba's game is speed.

"He skates so well. When you go another level you always wonder if a player can keep up with the pace of play and he can more than keep up with the play," said Whitehead. "I'm very confident that he'll take another step this year because that's what he's always done."

"He's a hustler. He's in the mix," said Lock Monsters head coach Frank Anzalone. "We're not deep at left wing. That's probably the area where we're most suspect."