The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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winning just 45.1 percent of its games during the 1987 and 1988 campaigns. In 1988, Michigan began a streak of 25 consecutive seasons with a win- ning record, and in 1991 the Wolver- ines earned their first of 22 straight NCAA Tournament berths. Over that time, U-M won national titles in 1996 and 1998 and advanced to 11 Frozen Fours. Berenson built the Maize and Blue into a powerhouse, and now faces a new challenge in returning Michigan to elite status within the league and nationally. With two years remaining on his current contract, he under- stands time is dwindling but is com- mitted to the cause. "If you know me, anytime during the year when we lose, let's face it, I don't like it," Berenson said. "I feel bad for our program and our team, and I can't accept losing when we're better than what we show. "Our last two home games of the regular season against No. 1 Min- nesota we were playing strong and showed what we were capable of. But in that one game against Penn State [in a Big Ten quarterfinal] we didn't play well. We could've, should've won that game, and losing that game is not something this pro- gram is. But, we lost, and we have to make sure that doesn't happen again. "If we're not getting the most out of the team, and if we're going in the wrong direction, I'll get out of the way, but I'm not convinced we are. I like our team, I like our coaches and our support staff, and I'm confident that we can be a really good team next season." ❑ Possible Lines For Next Season Left Wing Center Right Wing Fr. Dexter Dancs Jr. Andrew Copp Sr. Zach Hyman Note: U-M coaches like to pair their freshmen with older players, and Dancs will benefit from playing alongside two of the Wolverines' strongest two-way players. Both Dancs and Hyman can score 10-15 goals, and Copp is a potential 20-goal scorer after leading Michigan with 15 this past year. So. Tyler Motte So. J.T. Compher Fr. Tyler Calderone Note: Compher and Motte have played together off and on for three seasons, previ- ously suiting up as Team USA Under-18/17 teammates, and they have a sixth sense for where each other is on the ice. They are also very responsible on both ends of the rink, allowing the sharpshooting Calderone to flourish in a more offensive-minded role, at least to start his career. So. Alex Kile Fr. Dylan Larkin So. Evan Allen Note: The coaches like Larkin at center, and feel he possesses the type of game that will make others around him better. That would be good news for Kile and Allen, who netted only four and three goals, respectively, as rookies after arriving at Michigan with reputations as goal scorers. Jr. Justin Selman Jr. Boo Nieves Sr. Travis Lynch