The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN HOCKEY "To have the opportunity to play for Michigan is very humbling and I'm very thankful. Thinking about wear- ing maize and blue in the future is very exciting. To be able to be a part of such a great program and school with so much history, I can't wait to be a Wolverine. "I've been to Yost Arena multiple times. It's pretty amazing how long it's been around, and still how nice the building is. Their student section is awesome. The games that I've been to always had so much energy and it's always really loud in there; it's a fun building to be in." On the ice, Norris likens his game to the style played by Jonathan Toews of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. "Growing up, my idol has been Jon- athan Toews," he said. "He's one of the best players in the world, but he's also humble and plays the game the right way, that's why I idolize him. "I would say that my style of play would be closest to Toews. He plays with a lot of speed and skill and is a great two-way player. He does a lot of the little things, and I try to imple- ment those things into my game." Like it is for so many hockey fami- lies, the sport is a major part of ev- eryday life. The real heroes are usu- ally unsung. "My dad played at a very high level for such a long time, so he has a lot of knowledge about the game, and I think that's definitely been an ad- vantage for me," Norris said. "When my brothers and I were younger, my mom was always the one that would get up early on the weekends and take us to practice or tournaments. She's a big reason why I am who I am today. Both of my brothers have always been a huge part of my life as well. We have a tight bond. "My most memorable coach has definitely been my dad. He coached me from pee wee major to bantam major. He taught me so many things about the game and so many little de- tails. Whenever he talked, he always had my attention. Most importantly, he pushed me to be the best that I could be. I appreciate it so much that he cared so much." It'll be two and a half long years till Norris finally dons his maize-and- blue jersey, but when he makes that first appearance it's clear he'll have plenty of family support off the ice to go with his new Michigan hockey family. ❑ HOCKEY REWIND: DEC. 6-JAN. 10 Overall Record: 12-7-0 Big Ten Record: 4-1-0 Best Win — Michigan 4, Minnesota 3 in overtime Jan. 9 at Yost Ice Arena: This victory validated the Wolverines' holiday championship in the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI). Freshman defenseman Cutler Martin scored midway through the five-minute overtime period, breaking a 3-3 deadlock and giving Michigan a comeback win. Minnesota had taken a third-period lead on two power-play