The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
MICHIGAN HOCKEY Michigan State, too, because of the recognition factor," Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said. "In Penn State, they quantify that with Big Ten basketball, football, whatever, and they come out. I thought it was great for our students on campus. Our at‑ tendance spiked up because of that fact." The opportunity to play schools that were similar in brand and con‑ stitution was a benefit for Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "You know, the one thing I've al‑ ways said, and this was years ago, is that I like to play like schools and I think our fans do, too," Berenson said. "I mean, they'd rather come to a game, and no offense to some of the nearby schools, but they'd much rather see us play a Big Ten school or an Ivy League school. "Whether or not that's just the at‑ titude of the fans or our university, they love those games rather than play maybe some of the schools that we played in the past. The fans love it. They're the biggest beneficiaries, and our players. They go into a Wisconsin and a Minnesota every year now. "This is serious college hockey, as good as it gets, and it's where we'd like to be. I think that's the main benefit." ❑ Michigan's Freshman Class Of 2014 Here are short bio profiles with scouting reports of the eight newest members of the U-M hockey team. Cutler Martin — Defense 6-0, 208 • East Lansing, Mich. Last team: Tri City (USHL) He's an aggressive, physical, defensive defenseman. Martin played three seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League, recording 16 points in 59 games in 2012-13. Sam Piazza — Defense 5-11, 202 • Darien, Ill. Last team: Wichita Falls (NAHL) Piazza is a powerful skater with great on-ice vision. He served as team captain for the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League in 2013-14, finish- ing fifth among NAHL defensemen with 37 points in 58 games. Zach Werenski — Defense 6-2, 214 • Grosse Pointe, Mich. Last team: USNTDP Under-17 national team He comes in as an ultra-skilled consensus top-12 pick for the 2015 NHL Draft. He finished second among the United States National Team Development Program