RPI'S DEPTH TO BE TESTED ON NORTH COUNTRY TRIP.(Sports)

Byline: Pete Dougherty Staff writer

A statement heard around RPI hockey camp in preseason was repeated Tuesday.

"This is the deepest, most talented group of forwards I've coached at RPI," said Mike Addesa, now in his ninth season at the Troy school.

This week, the Engineers (2-0), ranked 10th nationally in the latest radio station KBJR (coaches) poll, will get their first chance to test that depth.

RPI heads to the North Country for Friday and Saturday games without two of its veteran forwards: senior center Maurice Mansi, who has a slightly separated right shoulder, and right wing Jim Kropp, who "resigned" from the team this week. …