The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 points by the two skaters back this season. If Berenson decides to keep the duo together, he'll need a new right winger for that line, but there is no shortage of personnel. "One of the strengths of our team should be the depth at forward," Berenson said. "There are guys that may have played every game last year that might not be playing every night this year — their jobs are in jeopardy, and that will be good for our team." In addition to the five players previously listed, role players Zach Hyman, Travis Lynch, Justin Selman and Luke Moffatt have carved out niches while five rookie forwards, led by J.T. Compher and Evan Allen, will bring even more offensive firepower to the front line. "We have five lines worth of players," DeBlois noted. "I don't think we've had that many forwards since I've been here. No one on this roster has a safe spot. You have to battle for every shift, every game, with the number of guys we have." Back To Good If Racine plays like he did late in his freshman season, and if the defensemen mature quickly, and if the forwards light the lamp every night to their potential, this Michigan team could surpass conference expectations, win the first Big Ten title and compete for the program's 12th Frozen Four berth in Berenson's tenure. "We're pumped," Bennett said. "There is a really good energy in our locker room. The freshmen have re- Sophomore goalie Steve Racine will look to pick up where he left off last year, when he went 6‑1‑1 with a 1.88 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in U-M's final eight games. photo by lon horwedel ally jelled nicely with the rest of the squad. We need them to play a huge role. "And then in terms of being in the Big Ten, I think it's so cool because every game is a rivalry game. Every game will be played on a national stage. They will be televised with big crowds. It will be good for us and good for college hockey." Berenson isn't sure if Minnesota or Wisconsin is the favorite, or if such a thing exists, and he will not predict Michigan's finish, but he is optimistic, like he always is this time of the year. "There will be a lot of competition to win the Big Ten title, and if we're doing all the things we need to do, then we'll find out how good our team is and how we match up," he said. ❑