The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
2014 HOCKEY PREVIEW 2015 HOCKEY PREVIEW Guptill, Luke Moffatt and Phil Di Giuseppe — have moved on due to graduation or signing professional contracts. F r e s h m a n f o r ‑ wards Larkin and Dexter Dancs, in ad‑ dition to returning senior Hyman, ju‑ nior Boo Nieves, and sophomores Motte, Kile and Kevin Allen will seek to fill the scoring void left by the departing play‑ ers. "I think we have some young players that will be more pro‑ ductive this year, as well, and I hope that we're not a one‑line team," Berenson of‑ fered about the of‑ fense. "I hope we're a team that has bal‑ ance in scoring just like Minnesota was last year, and we'll see where that goes. But, I think guys like J.T. Compher will be ready to play a bigger role on the team. "Andrew Copp led our team in scoring last year, and he's our cap‑ tain going in along with Zach Hy‑ man. I think Zach is going to have his best year this year. I really like the way our team is coming together off the ice as well as on the ice, but we haven't played a game yet." Berenson, in particular, envisions Compher becoming a more complete player. "Younger players, I think every‑ one gauges them on their offense — but if you're going to be a real pro, you've got to be able to play without the puck," the coach said. "And just like any of our young players, if they're going to be the real deal, they've got to play both ends, and J.T. is one of those players. "He works just as hard defensively as he does offensively, but for him to take the next step, I think it's just putting a finishing touch on everything, doing everything a little better." B e r e n s o n a l s o sounded adamant in pointing out that all the on‑ice perfor‑ mances were impor‑ tant, but the team leadership he expects from new captain Copp and alternate captains Hyman and Compher could be the crucial determining component for success in 2014‑15. "The captains' leadership is huge," Berenson said. "We've got young players. Seventeen of our 27 play‑ ers are freshmen or sophomores, and obviously leadership is important with players of that age. We saw that in the last two years. I think these young guys will get it real quick and will understand what it takes, how Red Berenson, who is entering his 31st season at U-M, needs only 12 wins to become just the fourth head coach in NCAA ice hockey history to achieve 800 career victories. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL