I believe Murray is the best all around defensemen in Cornell history, but Peter Shier had the best slap shot.
Chris '79
Oops, read that as "All time best slapshot...."
Shier was before my time, but Jason Dailey had a pretty cool slapshot...
Defenseman Pete Shier '78 didn't just have the hardest shot in recent Cornell history (I don't remember anything before '70, and anything before '73 is hazy), he had the hardest shot I've ever witnessed in college hockey. It was a devastating weapon on the power play. He scored at least once from beyond the red line. The one I remember happened against Jim Craig and BU in an immensely satisfying win at Lynah (don't recall year). A beautiful thing to see.
After Shier, I think it's Murray. After Murray, in my mind it's forward Jeff Baikie ('81?).
Many of us who remember the Harkness era would choose Dan Lodboa '70.
From the Harkness era: the one that comes mind for me is Bruce Pattison. Lodboa was a better all around scorer. Bruce had that big slapshot. From the Bertrand era: Lance Nethery wasn't bad either.
Shier's shot was an amazing thing to witness. Goalies would literarily dodge it. He shattered the glass with his shot at Lynah and sailed a puck straight through the heavy-duty protective canvas netting that they used to have at the ends of the War Memorial in Syracuse. On top of that he was and is a very nice guy. He was back in town at the alumni game last year, but I didn't see him unleash slapper. Perhaps if he is back at the next one someone could ask for a demonstration?
Molly Brown '86 (I think that was her class year) had quite a slap shot too. Even the guys on that great '85-'86 men's team were impressed.
In 1975 (my freshman year) I had seats mid way up in section H (above the glass/pre net). When Sheir would shoot we would all cringe, and hope that he was on net (which he was much of the time). This was also the year that Chris Black (a U Hall 5 floor mate of mine) was killed by a puck while sitting in section G. I dont think it was Shiers shot.
Chris