The Wolverine

October 2011

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/100794

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 53 of 91

2011-12 hockey preview M By Michael Spath ichigan���s biggest returning goal-scoring threat, senior left winger David Wohlberg, endured an eightgame stretch without a point in 2010-11 and sat out U-M���s entire six-game postseason run with a broken collarbone. Perhaps the Wolverines��� secondmost prolific scoring option, junior right winger Chris Brown, saw his goal production dip from 13 markers in 2009-10 to just nine tallies a year ago, while a pair of rising juniors, centers A.J. Treais and Kevin Lynch, have accounted for 33 goals in 175 combined appearances. The media can harp on a team���s weaknesses excessively, but even head coach Red Berenson will not refute that Michigan���s offensive potential is a question mark heading into the 201112 season. The Maize and Blue lack proven playmakers, featuring a roster that doesn���t include a single 20-goal scorer. The biggest point producer among the returning veterans was a defenseman, sophomore Jon Merrill, who had 25 points, including seven goals, a year ago. ���We���ll have our hands full early,��� said Berenson, beginning his 27th season at his alma mater. ���We���re going to rely on our upperclassmen and returning players from last year to get this team moving in the right direction, but I like our chances. This team could be fine. ���David Wohlberg has to be a key component of this team. So does [senior forward] Luke Glendening. Luke doesn���t have to score 20 goals, but Wohlberg probably does. Kevin Lynch has to be a force. Chris Brown has to be a force. ���These kids really have to step up. This is their time. They���ve had years of experience and glimpses of greatness in the past few years; this is their moment.��� Berenson is never one to panic or lament over what he doesn���t have. He���s quick to point out that in graduating forwards Carl Hagelin, Louie Caporusso, Matt Rust, Scooter Vaughan and Ben Winnett, the Wolverines didn���t lose as much scoring as the career r��sum��s of those five would indicate. And he���s right. In 2010-11, the quintet combined for 53 of Michigan���s 146 goals or 36.3 percent. 54��� the wolverine��� ������ October 2011 Scoring Quandary Michigan���s Lack Of Proven Offensive Performers Must Be Addressed Junior forward A.J. Treais scored nine goals, including game-winners in both victories of the Great Lakes Invitational, and posted 12 assists for 21 points in his sophomore campaign. photo by per kjeldsen Defensemen Chad Langlais (two goals) and Brandon Burlon (five goals) also depart, but the Maize and Blue actually return 58.2 percent of their offense. ���Its not like our team is losing 90 percent of our goals,��� Berenson said. ���I like the fact there will be opportuni- ties for some of our younger players to step in and contribute. I think we���ll be fine offensively, but not great. It will take awhile to get some players going, but I think there will be players that come right out of the chute with more confidence and on a mission. ���Usually when there is an opportu-

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - October 2011