GUILFORD, Conn. – Yale has been playing hockey for 125 years, and only one Bulldog defenseman, Dave Baseggio '89, has reached the 100-point milestone.

The career leader among Yale blueliners with 29 goals, 79 assists and 108 points, Baseggio earned another unique distinction last summer when he was named director of pro scouting for the National Hockey League's new franchise, the Seattle Kraken.
 

"My job is to know every other team and narrow down the players teams will protect in the expansion draft," said Baseggio, who will advise general manager Ron Francis after scouting the next NHL season to help build the Seattle roster. "We've been watching everyone for a long time, so we know the players well."

His distinguished post-playing career includes stints behind the bench, in the front office and traveling to rinks around the country with numerous pro franchises. For the past 12 winters, he was with the Anaheim Ducks as a pro scout, director of pro scouting and assistant to the general manager. Prior to that, he was a head coach in the American Hockey League.

Yale hockey players win championships, compete internationally on the ice and skate among the professionals in numerous leagues, but few Bulldogs have made a career of the sport, especially working in the NHL.

Keith Allain '80, the Malcolm G. Chace Yale Head Coach, is the only Eli skater to coach in the NHL, while Bill Zito '87 became the first Bulldog player to become an NHL general manager when he signed a deal with the Florida Panthers this year.

However, Baseggio is the first Yale captain to work in the big league, though many hockey experts were surprised it did not happen long before as a player.

"Ultimately, I wasn't consistent enough to play in the NHL. I wasn't particularly fast or strong. I did some things well, but I didn't do anything great. It shows you why a lot of good players don't make it, and it's not easy to make the NHL. I tried my best and it didn't work out, but I had a nice run. When you are playing hockey for a living, it's a good thing."

A fourth round (68^th overall) pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1986, Baseggio racked up 86 goals and 348 points for nine teams over 10 pro seasons between the American and International hockey leagues. A regular on defense for the 1991-92 AHL New Haven Nighthawks, who played a few blocks away at the New Haven Coliseum, he also played one season in the Italian A League.

Smashing the offensive records for Bulldog blueliners was no fluke. The six-foot, 185-pound puck magnet was a consistent point producer. He helped the Elis erase a 4-0 deficit at the Whale against Brown his junior year by scoring the first two goals and setting up the last two in a 5-4 Yale win.

"Tim Taylor (Yale head coach) gave me opportunities to play in key situations and big games right away, and I played with some good players who helped me get points," said the economics major in Silliman College when asked how he became so offensively prolific. "I would get the puck and move it and try to add to our offense. You need to put yourself in the right position on the ice, and I had a knack for finding openings."

Baseggio, a Niagara Falls, Ont., native followed his brother, Rob '88, to New Haven and Ingalls Rink before becoming Yale rookie of the year and sparking the 1985-86 Elis to a 20-10 record and the ECAC Tournament Semifinals. The team's 1987-88 defensive player of the year and a two-time All-ECAC and All-Ivy League selection, the younger
Baseggio led the team as captain senior year with 33 points, including a program-best 10 goals for a defenseman.

There's nothing like the night an old rival comes to play at a sold-out rink, especially when Yale is up to the task. In fact, his favorite night in a Yale uniform was on Jan. 31, 1989, at Ingalls when the Bulldogs unleashed a 3-1 setback on No. 1 ranked and undefeated (15-0) Harvard behind 46 saves from Mike O'Neill '90. There was a fire in the belly of the Whale that evening.

"It was a Tuesday game, and such a great night and atmosphere. I will never forget Mike O'Neill making all those saves," said Baseggio, who had a hand on each Bulldog tally against the Crimson with a goal and two assists.

Baseggio has made Guilford, Conn., the home base for many years along with his wife, Sondra, his son, Michael (University of Vermont freshman) and his daughter, Katherine, a Guilford High School sophomore. He has enjoyed living and working near his alma mater, though there has been a lot of traveling for the guy who grew up near the famous water falls.

Like many prospects in North America, Baseggio was drawn to the Yale program by its internationally acclaimed head coach and hockey guru who passed away in 2013, shortly after the Elis won the national championship. However, this Canadian standout had other motivation, like playing three years on the team with his brother, who was also a defenseman.  

"Coach Taylor's reputation and Olympic experience certainly attracted me, and I knew I wanted to play for him. I saw how much he loved the game and loved being around it. His integrity, honest and ability to teach were second to none."

Like his mentor, Baseggio never left the rink.

"When you are making hockey a lifetime career, it's a good thing."