Feature: Former College Foes Will Call the Verizon Home

The following feature article on former St. Lawrence defenseman Drew Bagnall appeared in the September 28 issue of the New Hampshire Union Leader. The article can be accessed via the Union Leader Web site by clicking here.

By MARC THALER
New Hampshire Union Leader Sports

MANCHESTER - Hockey fans who followed the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional at Verizon Wireless Arena last March may remember Brian Boyle and Drew Bagnall, two of the weekend's biggest names.

The top talents admitted engaging in a few "scrums" on the ice when Boyle's Boston College Eagles beat Bagnall's St. Lawrence University Saints in the regional semifinals, 4-1.

This season, wearing the same sweater, Boyle and Bagnall will dish out punishment as defensemen for the 2007-08 Manchester Monarchs. Fans should definitely plan to cheer physical play around the home team's net. Boyle is a 6-foot-7, 250-pound force. Bagnall is no slouch either at 6-foot-3, 215.

"They both play really tough," Monarchs veteran left wing and Nashua native Jeff Giuliano, another former BC star, said during yesterday's media luncheon at the Verizon. "They're hard-nosed guys and that's what we need back there. We need those guys to make it a pain in the neck for those other teams to play against us."

Fresh off their successful late-season run to the conference finals, the Monarchs welcome a new crop of potential playmakers to town. Along with Boyle, who earned minutes with Manchester late last year, and Bagnall, center Trevor Lewis and right wing Teddy Purcell are among the prospects making the Monarchs a hot topic in hockey circles, team president Jeff Eisenberg said.

Among the various scouting Web sites and print publications, including Hockeyfutures.com and Hockey News, Manchester's prospects collectively rank between Nos. 1 and 4, Eisenberg added.

"I'm really excited to see them hit the ice," Eisenberg said, shortly before hopping a flight to London to see the Monarchs' parent club, the Los Angeles Kings, open the NHL season against the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow. "I'm excited to see who steps up, who's the real deal."

Mark Morris said fans can expect to see a team that blends speed and skill. Manchester's second-year head coach admitted the group lacks experience. However, he quickly added that younger players appear eager to take instruction.

"I just think their ability to listen and grasp all they can take in (is impressive)," Morris said. "They're at a critical time in their personal development right now."

Given the organization's inability to survive the postseason's first round prior to last season, Eisenberg said the Monarchs are happy to "finally get the monkey off our backs."

However, Morris said the pressure to repeat last year's performance places second to developing talent for Manchester's parent club, the Los Angeles Kings -- and placing a quality product on the ice in the Queen City.

And that quality product includes Boyle and Bagnall.

"We went after each other a little bit in (the NCAAs)," Boyle said. "Hopefully it was a mutual respect because I respect him."

"I'm very happy to have him as a teammate," Bagnall said. "It's often the case that the guys you hate to play against are the guys you love to have on your team."