The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
2014 HOCKEY PREVIEW 2015 HOCKEY PREVIEW rific student and he's a terrific kid. He and Andrew Copp are really good ex‑ amples of what captains should be." Both Copp and Hyman know ex‑ actly what they want and feel that they have the right raw material in their teammates' talent levels to achieve their goals. "Getting the team back to playing Michigan hockey is something we've preached from day one, tending to our attitude, our focus," Copp said. "We've had a little bit of negativity from some people in the room over the last couple of years, not really feeling like practicing on a given day, etc. "We're just trying to make the guys realize we're at one of the best insti‑ tutions in the world, we're playing for one of the best coaches ever to coach hockey and we play in Yost Ice Arena, which is a palace. On top of that, you're simply playing for Mich‑ igan and all the tradition and history that means. "We're so lucky. I think it's really resonated with the guys. Everyone feels lucky to be here. Hopefully, we're starting to get that negativity away. We're looking forward to com‑ ing to the rink each day. It's not a job, it's a privilege. We're getting the at‑ titude back to where it should be for Michigan hockey." Hyman echoed Copp's sentiments and described the team he wanted to help facilitate. The process started for Compher, Copp and Hyman im‑ mediately after the 2013‑14 season. "As captains, J.T., Copp and I sat down at the end of last year and we talked about what we wanted to do and to accomplish this year," Hyman said. "There are no specific goals, but the sky's the limit for this team. We talked about how we have to change the environment, make it into a hard‑ working team where everyone buys into the process. "It's only September, October and we're seeing guys already buying in, guys really wanting to be here. It's exciting." OFFSEASON WORK COULD PAY OFF The buy‑in from their teammates was evident in the spring and defi‑ nitely in full force during the summer. Of the spring and summer months, Copp said, "Our entire team stayed for spring term. We were able to get workouts in five days a week. It's im‑ portant for our guys to get closer off the ice through working out together. You go to class and then can hang out with the guys. It's really good for the returning guys. "In the summer, we had a lot of guys stay. We had every single fresh‑ man here at some point over the summer. It gives everyone a sense of comfort with each other before the season ever starts. Instead of hav‑ ing just one month before we play a game, we had two, three or four to get to know each other better. It helps when you're going to battle together." Hyman elaborated on the summer process. "We have a new strength guy," Hy‑ man explained. "He has kind of re‑ vamped our whole off‑ice program. He's made everything feel fresh