Career: Coach Mike Keenan instituted a preseason fitness award a year ago when he arrived, and Brown has managed to win it two straight years in the veteran category. He is considered a steady defenseman who gets the job done without flash. Keenan has used him at wing in spots to utilize his muscle.
STEVE KONROYD, 6-1, 195
Career: He came to the Hawks last season in late November (in the deal that dumped Gary Nylund) and helped to turn around a Hawk defense that had struggled. Konroyd came from the New York Islanders with the reputation for falling short of big expectations despite having talent. He appears to be reaching his career goals under Keenan.
DAVE MANSON, 6-2, 190
Career: He had a Cinderella first half last season, good enough to be named to the All-Star team in just his second NHL campaign. But his fantasy carriage ride turned into a pumpkin in the second half, when his offensive production slumped dramatically. He remains one of the shining young lights the Hawks wouldn`t consider trading.
BOB MCGILL, 6-1, 193
Career: Nobody works harder. In practice, he plays as rough as he does in games. He has the wisdom of eight seasons in the NHL and that can compensate for limited talent. McGill had the dubious distinction of playing 68 games last season without scoring a goal, though he did have four assists.
BOB MURRAY, 5-10, 183
Career: If there was a comeback award on the Hawks, here is last year`s runaway winner. Dropped by the team in preseason last year, he finally reported to its minor-league affiliate after hopes to move to another NHL team collapsed. He was recalled late last season and his power play work contributed to the team going to the Campbell Conference finals.
MIKE PELUSO, 6-4, 225
Career: He came to training camp as a tryout out from the University of Alaska-Anchorage and impressed the coaches enough to survive at least up to the final cuts, which will be made early this week. He needs to improve in many areas, including his agility, but Peluso has the size and toughness that Keenan wants to add to the Hawks.
DOUG WILSON, 6-1, 187
Career: Here`s one of the most recognizable names on the team and that`s one major reason why general manager Bob Pulford made sure to sign last summer`s free agent. Wilson made a successful comeback last season from shoulder surgery and the Hawks really require his offensive punch and his ability to move the puck with smart passing.
TRENT YAWNEY, 6-3, 192
Career: Here`s one player that may be harder on himself than Keenan is. Yawney is serious about his performance and that dedication will make him a little better each year. He developed more confidence as last season progressed, which was his first full year in the NHL, and he stood out in the playoffs with a plus-nine effort.
FORWARDS
BOB BASSEN, 5-11, 170
Career: Grant the Hawks one wish and they might make a strange request:
make Bassen five inches taller. They would like to see him checking opponents with an increased size, because even now he`s arguably the best checker on the team, wiping up the glass with opponents. He`ll fight anybody, big or small.
ADAM CREIGHTON, 6-5, 210
Career: The Hawks finally acquired this former Buffalo Sabre last December after a two-year pursuit and the wait was worthwhile. He needed last year to restore a confidence that had been shaken in Buffalo. Now, he appears on the threshold of a season in which he could become a certified star, scoring and checking. He can use his size to his advantage.
MIKE EAGLES, 5-10, 187
Career: A broken hand limited his availability last season, his first as a Hawk. But when he played, Eagles showed a grinding style that doesn`t get much notice, but which is beloved by coaches such as Keenan. He toils in anonymity.
GREG GILBERT, 6-1, 191
Career: Some people aren`t that familiar with Gilbert, since he didn`t arrive in trade until last March, and then sat out briefly with a broken foot. But he scored six points in the playoffs and has looked good in the preseason on a line with Denis Savard and Steve Larmer.
DIRK GRAHAM, 5-11, 198
Career: He received the designation of team captain during last season and Keenan couldn`t have made a better choice. Graham is a sincere spokesman for this club, win, lose or draw. Last season was his personal best with 78 points and his 10 shorthanded goals a club record.
MIKE HUDSON, 6-1, 201
Career: He bounced between the minors and the Hawks last season. But by the end of the year, Keenan felt Hudson had developed significantly and that fact got him into 10 playoff games. He has the versatility to play center or left wing.
STEVE LARMER, 5-11, 189
Career: One of the crimes of the century is that Larmer isn`t recognized more as one of the league`s premier right wings. Has played in 560 straight games, the longest current streak in the NHL. His shorthanded work with Graham last season was spectacular. Scored 87 points, best on the club.
TROY MURRAY, 6-1, 195
Career: Murray has been underappreciated since his 99-point season for the Hawks in 1985-86. He hasn`t come close to matching those numbers since then, but Keenan doesn`t expect that. As a checking center, he is one of the NHL`s finest, and he did contribute a much-needed 51 points last season. His biggest goal was the overtime game winner against Toronto on the last day of the regular season last April, putting the Hawks in the playoffs.
BRIAN NOONAN, 6-1, 192
Career: He played 19 games in the minors last season and 45 in Chicago, and would like to improve on those numbers this year. Needs to show he can play fulltime in the NHL and leave the minors behind him. Has solid offensive ability, but must pull the trigger more often.
WAYNE PRESLEY, 5-11, 180
Career: Here`s another player that found his way out of Keenan`s doghouse. Early last season, he was not even dressing for some games and appeared earmarked for a trade out of Chicago. But Presley rebounded for a 40- point season, which included four game-winning goals. Had three shorthanded goals in the playoff series against Detroit, a Hawk record.
JEREMY ROENICK, 6-0, 175
Career: Although his NHL regular season was limited to 20 games last season, his 18 points was enough to show this center has great promise. After one year in junior hockey, the 19-year-old appears ready to challenge for Rookie of the Year honors. His speed and scoring talent will wow fans.
DENIS SAVARD, 5-10, 175
Career: His spin moves are the stuff of which legends are made. An ankle ligament injury and poor judgment in dealing with Keenan`s practice methods early last season marred his 1988-89 performance, although he closed with a bang with a 19-point playoff. His pride and athlete`s ego could propel him to a 100-point season.
AL SECORD, 6-1, 203
Career: A crowd favorite, he has been cheered in the Stadium almost every time he touches the puck in the preseason. His assignment will be to play physically and stand up to other team`s tough guys without taking silly penalties. Had 40 goals and 76 points for the Hawks in 1985-86, but it`s a question how much he can now add offensively.
DUANE SUTTER, 6-1, 188
Career: He`s nearing the end of his career, but Sutter leads this team with his will to succeed. His knees appear to be solid for now and his hope is that Keenan will find more time for him to play in games than he did last season. He scored the overtime goal that tipped Detroit 5-4 in the April 6 playoff game.
STEVE THOMAS, 5-11, 185
Career: Injuries have cut short his first two seasons as a Hawk and he`s praying for a healthy year. He`s a rugged player, considered one of the NHL`s best forecheckers at left wing. Beyond that, he has the ability to score in bunches. He had 21 goals in 45 games last season and 13 in 30 the year before. The Hawks sorely need his offense, so he must stay healthy.
WAYNE VAN DORP, 6-4, 225
Career: His game isn`t pretty. It isn`t supposed to be. The Dorper polices the ice for his troops and lets no one push his teammates around. He can also be a presence in front of the net, an incredible hulk that goalies find menacing.
GOALTENDERS
ALAIN CHEVRIER, 5-8, 180
Career: The Hawks started to improve upon his arrival from Winnipeg Jan. 19. It still amazes to think a fourth-round draft pick is all the Hawks gave up. Some wonder if Chevrier can be as effective again. But it`s nothing new for him to be doubted. His competitive temperament should silence any critics. Had a 2.61 goals-against average in the playoffs and a 3.51 average for the Hawks in the regular season.
NOTE: Does not include final cuts
