While most Bulldog freshmen traveled home to recount tales of their first semester and scattered to ski slopes or sandy beaches to relax, Chris Higgins was busy leading the United States against the world.

As a member of the U.S. National Junior Team, Higgins competed at the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. Higgins led the squad with four goals and six points in seven games en route to a fifth place finish at the tournament.

Higgins was the first Bulldog selected for the squad since John Emmons ’96 played for the 1992 and 1993 National Junior Teams.

Because of National Team commitments, Higgins had to miss the Bulldogs’ non-conference games against Minnesota-Duluth (8-15-1), Miami (9-11-1), New Hampshire (15-4-2) and Boston College (12-8-2). In his first game back, a 5-2 win over Brown (5-8-2, 4-6-2 ECAC), Higgins had two goals and four points. He leads the Elis in both categories.

In addition to being named to the Junior Squad, Higgins earned ECAC Rookie of the Week honors Dec. 2 for his three goal performance the weekend before against Cornell (9-5-1, 5-2-1 ECAC) and Colgate (6-11-0, 4-4-0 ECAC). The NHL Central Scouting Service rated Higgins as the fourth best prospect for the entry draft.

— Marc Sorel