The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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ines' second-half surge, notching two goals, nine assists and a plus/minus of plus-11 in 19 games. However, he also had the benefit of skating with the U.S. at the World Junior Championships, sharpening his game before returning to the U-M lineup. "This year, he didn't have that luxury of playing seven or eight games — he's just been practicing with us this last month with no contact," Berenson said. "He'll need a few games to get up to speed, but then you'll start seeing some good things from him." The 6-4, 210-pound left-hander is a dynamic offensive player, understanding the game like an NHL blue liner. His teammates often joke that he sees a scoring chance unfold two or three seconds before it actually does, passing the puck to where a forward should be. When Merrill was a freshman, he provided seven goals and 25 assists, and if he had enjoyed a full junior campaign he was expected to tally 40 or more points. He has yet to showcase the total- ity of his offensive potential, but his coaches are confident he will. "He probably hasn't added as much to the power play as we know he will, and as much as Jonny wants to," Powers said. "I think very soon you'll see a better quarterback on the power play, better timing. His hands will start coming back to a different level than they're at right now. I think and hope you'll see a change on the power play. "Right now. I think he's capable of giving us a great game during a weekend, but you'll soon see him being a guy that can go back-to-back nights and be that consistent check-down guy, that calming influence on our defense, and our top penalty-killing defenseman … you'll see better special teams from him most noticeably." Back in early October, Merrill suffered a concussion upon impact with the boards, and he was in an immobilized neck brace for more than two months before being allowed to return to the ice in late December. He could be frustrated with his situation, knowing some classmates have Trouba Starts Strong After World Juniors In 16 games before Michigan's first semester ended and he headed to Russia to play for Team USA in the World Junior Championships, freshman Jacob Trouba totaled 11 points on five goals and six assists, or an average of 0.69 points per game. In the first five contests since his return to Ann Arbor, the rookie posted five points, averaging 1.00 point per night, an increase of 0.31. If he can maintain that pace or improve upon it, he would rank among the most successful Wolverines to return from World Juniors. Defenseman Jack Johnson saw the most significant spike in his 2007 numbers, increasing his production by 0.61 points per game. Here is a look at the top five (six with a tie) increases after the Championships and the five biggest decreases.