The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN HOCKEY Rookie Leads U-M In Scoring weekend," head coach Red Beren- son said. "If you're going to play on our top line you have to show up and compete hard. Guptill has found a way to score no matter who he's played with, but there is no question this line has been a good fit for him. "When we recruited him he showed a flare for getting open, be- ing in the right place, skating — but there was a question about his finish- ing, his consistency, his work ethic and his defensive game. That's why you come to college — to improve in all those areas, and that's what he's doing. He's gotten some puck luck, but he's also finding a way to score goals." With 13 assists, Guptill is more "Guptill's playing stronger every than just a scorer; he's been a play- maker and is also important because of the gritty, physical game he plays. But that was expected from the rug- ged power forward when he came to school. What wasn't expected was the consistency at which he'd light the red lamp. "I wasn't coming in with the big- gest hype, and it was disappointing reading some of the things people were saying," Guptill acknowledged. "I turned a blind eye to it. It gave me more motivation. I knew the kind of player I could be. I had high expecta- tions for myself. "I know that I could go through Freshman forward Alex Guptill produced seven goals and nine assists in the first 16 games after he was promoted to the No. 1 line, and led U-M in both goals (14) and points (27) through Feb. 14. P freshman forward Alex Guptill ar- rived at Michigan without much fanfare. The coaches even admitted they were a bit unsure what to expect from the 6-3, 180-pounder. Did he have the potential to be a first-line scorer? Or was he destined for a ca- reer on the fourth line? Guptill spent 12 of his first 16 games lagued by injuries in each of his fi- nal two seasons of junior hockey, in a winged helmet on the fourth line, with three appearances on the third line and one as an emergency fill-in on the No. 1 line. In those 16 games, he was productive, scoring three goals while chipping in three assists. Making the most of his chances, while playing strong two-way hockey, the Newmarket, Ont., native earned a promotion in December to left wing on the top line, with senior 100 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 David Wohlberg at center and junior Chris Brown on the right wing. "When I was on the fourth line I PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL told myself to just keep working to put pucks in the net," he said. "But I never felt sorry for myself either. We all have a role to play, and if it was the first line or the fourth line, I was going to take advantage of my ice time and my opportunities. "Thankfully the coaches saw something in my game, the way I was working hard on every shift, and rewarded me with a move to the first line, and with Dave and Brown — they're playing great and they're making my job a lot easier." In 16 games since the trio has been united, through Feb. 14, Guptill has seven goals and nine assists, and he shares the team lead in goal scoring (14) and points (27) this year. a little scoring drought, too, but the key is to just keep working hard, keep putting yourself in a position to score. Wayne Gretzky said: 'A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.' "You just have to find the open places and expect the puck, because when you expect it, you're ready for it and you increase your chances of success." ❑ Rookie MOST GOALS BY A U-M FRESHMAN SINCE 2000 Brandon Kaleniecki 2003 * Through Feb. 14 Jeff Tambellini Eric Nystrom Chad Kolarik Andy Hilbert Max Pacioretty David Wohlberg Alex Guptill Year Goals 2003 2002 2005 2000 2008 2009 2012 14* 14 26 18 18 17 15 15