The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS guys, it has nothing to do with their character and what they brought to the team, "Sometimes, when you move on from Spielman said in a release. "Sometimes, you just have to make some tough busi- ness decisions. " Vikings general manager Rick a "tough decision." "[Hutchinson has] meant a great deal Head coach Leslie Frazier also called it " to the Vikings organization both on and off field over the years, " Frazier said. The NHL ANDREW EBBETT RECOVERING QUICKLY, COULD RETURN Ebbett suffered a collarbone injury Jan. 7 so severe that several — in- cluding his employer — expected him to miss the rest of the season. As of mid-March, however, he had already begun skating and seemed destined to rejoin the Vancouver Ca- nucks before the playoffs. Ebbett suffered a break to his col- larbone against Boston that required surgery to implant a steel plate and screws, after which the club pro- nounced him done for the year. "I feel really good. I'm doing a lot TO VANCOUVER LINEUP SOON Former Michigan icer Andrew of cardio in the gym and I'm happy with the way things have gone this week so far," Ebbett told the Vancou- ver Province. "We initially thought it would be the regular season and maybe the first round [of the play- offs], but I've just had no setbacks so far. It seems like I'm ahead of sched- ule, but it's up to the docs. Hope- fully, I can get a couple of games in before the playoffs, but we've got a lot of guys here, so that might be tough." Ebbett has played both left wing and he suffered a broken foot Nov. 10 after blocking a shot. Then came the shoulder injury. He expects to make up for lost time when he returns to the lineup. "Hopefully, I've still got a lot of hockey to play this year," he said. Hunwick waited patiently for his op- portunity after being traded to Colo- rado from Boston earlier this year. Then he waited some more, a healthy scratch in most of the Avalanche's games this year. Instead of sulking, Hunwick made MATT HUNWICK EARNING MORE TIME IN COLORADO Former Michigan defenseman Matt is he doesn't wait for the opportunity to prepare. He's already prepared, so when the opportunity comes, he's ready to go. "He's diligent, a very determined kid and a good pro." The Avalanche posted a 7-3 record after Hunwick became a regular. Hunwick scored two goals in the stretch and notched a plus-6 plus/ minus rating in the run. "I definitely had to wait my turn the most of his limited opportuni- ties. That earned him respect from his teammates and coaches, and an opportunity for more playing time. He played in 10 straight games from late February through mid-March. "He has an outstanding attitude, here, and when the opportunity came back around, I've been able to play well, and the team, for the most part, has been doing well," Hunwick said. "You have to be patient and keep the right frame of mind all sea- son, because it is tough coming to the rink every day when you're not playing in games." and good things happen to good people, and he's a good person," Av- alanche head coach Joe Sacco told the Denver Post. "He's forced my hand. He's been really good since he's been back in the lineup, and the one thing about Matt is he's a consummate pro- fessional. He's the most fit guy, and he prepares himself. "The reason he's able to come in and play the way he has after being in and out of the lineup, mostly out, things with my life, but nothing would be as fun as this, and I know it wouldn't pay as well," Hunwick said. "I could be working construc- tion or something, working 50, 60 hours a week like my dad, who's working all the time. And a lot of people don't even have jobs right now. I'm very fortunate to be here, whether I'm playing or not." Hunwick, 26, will be an unre- He's grateful for each opportunity. "I could be doing a lot of other stricted free agent July 1. His younger brother, Shawn, is Michigan's current goaltender. HEADLINERS and center in his career and said he'd take whatever role he could get. He'd been completely inactive for five weeks but has been work- ing diligently to catch up on his conditioning. When he'll return for contact isn't up to him. "That's going to be the doc's call," he said. "It's going to be close. I'll have one more CT scan to make sure the bone is fully healed. I just don't want to have any setbacks by coming back too early." Ebbett was a healthy scratch in 11 of the first 13 games with Vancouver, Former Michigan athletes in the news this month the day after suffering what appeared to be a career-threatening head injury. He scored into an empty net in a 5-3 win over Edmon- ton, his second goal of the game, and promptly credited his team- mates for helping him reach the milestone. Max Pacioretty • NHL Pacioretty hit the 30-goal mark for the season March 9, a year to to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League March 7. Morris, a rookie, appeared in 13 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.7 points and 1.1 assists in 10.3 minutes. Darius Morris • NBA The Los Angeles Lakers assigned the former Michigan point guard spring training debut in an 8-5 win over Seattle March 9, allowing one run. He's added a cutter to his arsenal. "I went out there and pretty much accomplished everything I wanted to do and got out of there with a good feel," he told the Associated Press. J.J. Putz • MLB The former Michigan pitcher and current Arizona closer made his APRIL 2012 THE WOLVERINE 103