The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/130469
move the puck and join the rush, and add to our offense, because you can't rely on your forwards to score all of the goals and generate all of the offense, and I think De Jong will do a good job with that," Berenson said. Goalie Zach Nagelvoort Will Compete For Ice Time The grandson of Paul W. Gikas — a friend of Berenson's — goalie Zach Nagelvoort once sought the counsel of Berenson to see how he could improve his recruiting stock. "His mother called me years ago and I tried to give her some advice, but I never dreamt we'd be recruiting him," Berenson said. Had all gone according to plan this past year, the Wolverines wouldn't have been interested in the 6-2, 210-pounder that has called both Holland, Mich., and Ann Arbor home. However, Jared Rutledge struggled terribly in his rookie campaign, going 3-6-0 with a 4.24 goals-against average and an .854 save percentage. Feeling he's not quite ready for major Division I hockey, Rutledge will spend a year in the USHL, holding the option to return to U-M or sign with another college team, Berenson announced. "He got off to a tough start with the eye thing that required surgery. He got on the ice for practice, and he just wasn't ready," said Berenson, who wanted legitimate competition for incumbent starter Steve Racine. "With Jared gone, we have Adam Janecyk and Luke Dwyer still returning, but we needed another goalie with potential starting ability, and Zach Nagelvoort has that capability. "Rutledge was just a little too young to be the starting goalie, and maybe not as ready emotionally and physically as we needed him to be. Even Racine as a 20-year-old went through that growing process. "I'm not convinced Zach will be our starting goalie, and I don't know how much he'll play his first year, but I will venture to say he will push Racine hard." This past season, splitting time between the North American Hockey League's Soo Eagles (18 games) and Aberdeen Wings (10 games), Nagelvoort flourished, posting a 17-6-1 record with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. "When the smoke clears, he'll start off as our backup goalie and he'll have a chance to compete for the starting job," Berenson said. Walk-Ons Add Much-Needed Depth Forward Max Shuart and defensemen Kevin Lohan and Spencer Hyman will also enroll in the fall, joining this freshman class, and each will have a chance to earn playing time. Bryson Cianfrone, meanwhile, had signed a letter of intent but has decided to spend another year in the USHL after a difficult season. The 6-1, 181-pound Shuart lacks offensive acumen, but is a strong skater and a big body that could occupy a key role on Michigan's third or fourth line, wearing down opponents with his physicality. Lohan is the most imposing skater joining the team, standing in at 6-5, 210 pounds. The Cold Spring Harbor,