The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
Sophomore Andrew Copp, U-M's first-line center this season, proved to be a rugged, twoway standout while tallying 11 goals and 10 assists in 38 games as a rookie last year. Photo by Lon Horwedel fourth-line, defensive-minded center in junior Travis Lynch. The Wolverines are atypically young at the position, utilizing more youth at center than any season Berenson could recall since Andy Hilbert, John Shouneyia and Mike Cammalleri were rookies in 2000, and Mike Comrie was the elder statesman in his sophomore year. "It is a challenge, but fortunately the guys that we have in that middle spot came to our program with some momentum," Wiseman said. "Whether it was from the U.S. national program like Copp and Compher, or Boo Nieves being a high-end kid, and Travis being a veteran, ex- perienced guy that spent a few years in the USHL, all four of them had quality coaching before they arrived. They're talented, hard-working kids that can do everything we ask of our centermen." Responsibilities On Both Ends Of The Rink Wayne Gretzky is the most iconic center of all time, followed closely by Mario Lemieux. During their careers from 1979-2006, the two led the NHL in scoring a combined 16 times, Gretzky doing so 10 times and Lemieux on six occasions. However, the era of the offensive-focused centerman has long faded, replaced by