BOSTON - Around this time each winter, Joe Bertagna experiences a bit of an empty feeling.
The strange thing is it's also one of the best times of the year for the Gloucester resident.
The cause of these mixed emotions is the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament, which begins play for the 56th year on Monday at TD Banknorth Garden. Bertagna played in the collegiate tourney as a star goalie for Harvard University in the early 1970s and has also been heavily involved in the Beanpot since July 1997, when he became the commissioner of Hockey East, a title he still holds.
As an Arlington native, Bertagna grew up respecting the Beanpot and dreamt of one day playing in it. Thus, he feels fortunate to still be a part of the Boston hockey showcase, which includes Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern and Harvard.
However, the fact that the Crimson were unable to capture a title when Bertagna played is still tough to swallow for the 56-year-old.
"I grew up in the area, watched the games when I was little and had a chance to play in the Beanpot," said Bertagna at yesterday's Beanpot press conference at Legends Restaurant. "The only difference in these stories is that there are guys that won it, and there are guys that didn't.
"In an odd way, when I go back to the Beanpot, there is still that sense that something is missing."
More than anything, Bertagna's lack of a Beanpot title can be attributed to poor timing. The Crimson won the crown the year before Bertagna came to Harvard in 1969 and won again the year after he graduated in 1974. In all, Harvard has won the event 10 times, while BU has claimed 28 titles - the most of any school.
Nevertheless, hockey has been good to Bertagna, who went on to play professionally for the Milwaukee Admirals and also in Italy. He also enjoyed stints as the women's hockey coach at Harvard and as the goaltending coach for the Boston Bruins (1985-1991, 1994-1995).
Regardless of his playing misfortunes in the Beanpot, Bertagna is very happy to be playing a key role in an event that he believes increases interest in the sport.
"The Beanpot really shines the spotlight on college hockey in a way that we don't usually get," said Bertagna, who inked an extension at the beginning of the season as Hockey East commissioner through 2010-2011. "It's not just the dynamic of having the four Boston schools, but also where it comes on the calendar. There's no more Monday Night Football and it's kind of a slow time of year, so we can get a lot more coverage from the media.
The strange thing is it's also one of the best times of the year for the Gloucester resident.
The cause of these mixed emotions is the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament, which begins play for the 56th year on Monday at TD Banknorth Garden. Bertagna played in the collegiate tourney as a star goalie for Harvard University in the early 1970s and has also been heavily involved in the Beanpot since July 1997, when he became the commissioner of Hockey East, a title he still holds.
As an Arlington native, Bertagna grew up respecting the Beanpot and dreamt of one day playing in it. Thus, he feels fortunate to still be a part of the Boston hockey showcase, which includes Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern and Harvard.
However, the fact that the Crimson were unable to capture a title when Bertagna played is still tough to swallow for the 56-year-old.
"I grew up in the area, watched the games when I was little and had a chance to play in the Beanpot," said Bertagna at yesterday's Beanpot press conference at Legends Restaurant. "The only difference in these stories is that there are guys that won it, and there are guys that didn't.
"In an odd way, when I go back to the Beanpot, there is still that sense that something is missing."
More than anything, Bertagna's lack of a Beanpot title can be attributed to poor timing. The Crimson won the crown the year before Bertagna came to Harvard in 1969 and won again the year after he graduated in 1974. In all, Harvard has won the event 10 times, while BU has claimed 28 titles - the most of any school.
Nevertheless, hockey has been good to Bertagna, who went on to play professionally for the Milwaukee Admirals and also in Italy. He also enjoyed stints as the women's hockey coach at Harvard and as the goaltending coach for the Boston Bruins (1985-1991, 1994-1995).
Regardless of his playing misfortunes in the Beanpot, Bertagna is very happy to be playing a key role in an event that he believes increases interest in the sport.
"The Beanpot really shines the spotlight on college hockey in a way that we don't usually get," said Bertagna, who inked an extension at the beginning of the season as Hockey East commissioner through 2010-2011. "It's not just the dynamic of having the four Boston schools, but also where it comes on the calendar. There's no more Monday Night Football and it's kind of a slow time of year, so we can get a lot more coverage from the media.
"Little kids can watch the Beanpot and it serves as part of the introduction to college hockey. It really made an impression on me when I watched as a kid."
As always, this year's tournament should provide intense competition between the four fierce Beantown rivals.
Boston College enters as the favorite, ranked ninth nationally with a 12-5-7 overall record. The usually strong Terriers of BU own a disappointing 7-13-4 record, while Northeastern has skated its way to a No. 14 ranking and an 11-8-3 mark.
As the only nonmember of Hockey East, Harvard will look to play spoiler with a record of 7-9-3, but due to the current circumstances won't exactly have the full support of Bertagna.
"All of the teams will benefit from beating Harvard because it's a chance to beat a nonleague team," Bertagna said. "That puts me in a little bit of an awkward spot because I have to root against my old team. But as long as my paycheck is signed by Hockey East, I have to do what I have to do."
56TH ANNUAL BEANPOT
(All games at the TD Banknorth Garden)
Monday
Harvard vs. Northeastern, 5 p.m.
Boston College vs. Boston University, 8 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 11
Consolation game, 5 p.m.
Championship game, 8 p.m.
