The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/575020
HOCKEY PREVIEW Werenski's decision to return to Michigan for his sophomore season after flirting with the NHL following his first‑round selection this past June was critical. The 6‑2, 214‑pounder was a first‑team All‑Big Ten pick in his rookie year after leading conference defensemen with nine goals and rank‑ ing second among the league's blue liners with 25 points. "I knew Zach would be an im‑ pact player last year, but I think he exceeded everyone's expectations, and he has a chance to have the kind of year we're talking about five, 10, 15 years later," Berenson said. "He gives us a player that can do it all and makes everyone else on the ice a bet‑ ter player." Werenski admits after watching his roommate and good friend, Dylan Larkin (2015), leave after his fresh‑ man year to sign with the Detroit Red Wings he thought about departing, but he felt there was too much to ac‑ complish personally and on the team. "I'm confident in myself, but you don't want to step into anything you're not ready for," he said. "And coming back to Michigan, I know I can polish off my skills and work with these great coaches, and try to win a national championship." The offense could struggle some this season, but with Racine and ju‑ nior Zach Nagelvoort in net, the vet‑ eran presence on the blue line and the freshmen defensemen adding a dose of physicality, Werenski sees a team that should be able to shut down even the best offenses they face this season. "I'm very confident the defense will be a huge part of the success of this team," he said. "Everyone is more ex‑ perienced, we have some strong lead‑ ers. Our freshmen will really comple‑ ment the guys we have returning, and our goalies are ready for a breakout year. "If you look at the teams that win championships, they always have a good back end, and hopefully we'll prove to be a great defense this sea‑ son." GOAL DIFFERENTIAL 1991-2015 Year GF GA Diff. 1990-91 5.26 3.44 +1.82 1991-92 4.89 3.27 +1.62 1992-93 5.95 2.38 +3.57 1993-94 5.00 2.73 +2.27 1994-95 5.59 2.79 +2.80 1995-96 5.56 2.16 +3.40 1996-97 5.63 2.28 +3.35 1997-98 3.54 2.35 +1.19 1998-99 3.33 2.36 +0.97 1999-2000 3.93 2.54 +1.39 2000-01 3.71 2.44 +1.27 2001-02 3.50 2.32 +1.18 2002-03 3.88 2.40 +1.48 2003-04 3.51 2.42 +1.09 2004-05 4.24 2.45 +1.79 2005-06 3.59 3.05 +0.54 2006-07 4.24 3.15 +1.09 2007-08 3.95 2.07 +1.88 2008-09 3.54 2.05 +1.49 2009-10 3.29 2.27 +1.02 2010-11 3.32 2.23 +1.09 2011-12 3.23 2.17 +1.06 2012-13 3.23 3.25 -0.02 2013-14 3.06 2.54 +0.52 2014-15 3.86 2.89 +0.97