The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
around him and seeing the way he interacted with people, it was magical to watch," Bennett said. "I've been told I have a lot of the same qualities. A lot of it is just interacting with people. I picked that up from my dad and I've been able to use that here at Michigan. "I'd probably say I'm the problem solver. My role is to facilitate the discussion between the team and the coaches. If there is something going on in the locker room, or guys like a certain forecehck … there are a lot of times where they won't go to Red on their own, so they can use me. They can go to Derek and Andrew, and then I usually end up taking it to the coaches, though I do it with them." Bennett learned what it felt like to fail in 2012-13, when the Maize and Blue missed out on the NCAA Tournament, and he was determined to bring the Wolverines closer together before the season started. "We've done a lot more off-ice stuff, like just going to a movie, going bowling," he said. "The more you're around people, the more you like each other, and when you step on the ice, if you're my teammate and I've done all these things with you, I'm going to have your back a lot more than if you're just a guy I see at 3:00 p.m. every day. "I think the biggest thing we learned from last year is we don't need 28 guys to love each other, but we do need 28 guys to respect each other. I think that's something this team understands, and I think they understand because of the leadership Derek, Andrew and I have tried to bring and also because they're just good guys. "We might be getting credit for our team's success, but it's a total team effort." ❑ Captain Trios During Red Berenson's 30 Years This year's selection of three captains marks the 13th time in head coach Red Berenson's career that Michigan has elected a trio of leaders to guide the team. Here is a look at the 12 such times before. 1988: Todd Brost (C), Joe Lockwood and Brad McCaughey 1992: David Harlock (C), Denny Felsner and Patrick Neaton 1994: Brian Wiseman (C), David Oliver and Mike Stone 1995: Rick Willis (C), Steven Halko and Mike Knuble 1997: Brendan Morrison (C), Jason Botterill and Blake Sloan 1998: Matt Herr (C), Bill Muckalt and Marty Turco 1999: Bubba Berenzweig (C), Dale Rominski and Bobby Hayes 2001: Geoff Koch (C), Dave Huntzicker and Scott Matzka 2003: Jed Ortmeyer (C), John Shouenyia and Andy Burnes 2004: Andy Burnes (C), Eric Nystrom and Brandon Rogers 2007: Matt Hunwick (C), Jason Dest and T.J. Hensick 2010: Chris Summers (C), Carl Hagelin and Luke Glendening