The Wolverine

2012-13 HOCKEY PREVIEW defensemen and we have some of- fensively inclined defensemen, but we'll have to see about their numbers because that's no guarantee. "Because of our depth, there is go- ing to be a lot of competition to be in our top six, and that usually pushes even your older players because they don't want to lose their spot as a se- nior or junior." feature experienced bodies, its top four of Moffie, Bennett, Merrill and, likely, Trouba should be the nation's strongest. A second-round New Jersey Devils pick in 2010, Merrill is expected to pair up with Trouba, a first-rounder this June. "There are a lot of pairing options we'll be thinking about, but that's a natural because you have two very high-end talents that should play off each other's strengths," said assis- tant Billy Powers, who is in charge of U-M's defensemen. "They're both big, strong kids, but Trouba plays with more of an edge to his game. He likes the physical side of it, and that's something we want to see more of in Jonny's game. "They're both also skilled with the puck and could really be a boost to our offense." Michigan's defend- ers contributed 19 of the Wolverines' 132 goals in 2012 (14.4 percent), but they might need to produce more often this year with a dearth of proven playmakers up front. Sophomores Alex Guptill (16 goals) and Phil Di Giuseppe (11) scored in double digits, but with the exception of senior center A.J. Treais (15 goals and 17 assists) the veteran ranks are void of a capable offen- sive performer. Not only does Michigan's blue line "The good news is we have a lot of two-way, defensive-minded forwards, and if you keep the puck out of the net, you'll win your share of games," Powers said. "We may not have that game-breaker offensively, but maybe Phil, Alex or A.J. can be that breakout player. "There is some potential among them, but at least to start the season 54 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012 Scout's Take On Michigan Hockey On U-M's overall team: "They're going to be ranked high in the preseason be- cause they always are, but there are serious question marks in goal and at forward. The defense has to be rock solid, but if you look at Michigan's blue line they have a lot of offensive defensemen and not really the lock-down defensive stalwarts you need to protect a young goalie. They do have a lot of two-way forwards, but they lack the difference-makers offensively. On Michigan's goalie situation: "[Freshman] Jared Rutledge will be the guy, and he's a far cry from the two goalies they recruited from the U.S. program before him — Jack Campbell and John Gibson. "Rutledge is a system goalie. He's not going to be the kind of kid that can stand on his head and win a period, let alone a game. He'll play sound fundamentally, and he'll count on his teammates to limit the quality of the scoring chances. "I do like his attitude. He feels he has something to prove, and he'll play with an edge, and we saw with Shawn Hunwick that confidence and determination can overcome physical limitations. " On junior defenseman Jon Merrill: "Everyone talks about the job he did when he came back in January and February, but he was really disappointing in the playoffs, and that's the second year in a row he struggled down the stretch. I don't know if that's natural fatigue, or if his game just doesn't translate to the postseason where the forecheck becomes more aggressive and his lack of speed and tough- ness become liabilities. He has a lot to prove. "As an offensive defenseman, he could be the best college hockey has had since " Brendan Smith was at Wisconsin. He has the foresight to know how to create a scoring opportunity before it develops. His passing will take his teammates by surprise sometimes, but he does a good job adjusting to the talent he plays with." On the rest of the defensemen: "I've always felt you have to pair an offensive defenseman with a defensive defenseman because the defensive guy brings out the best in his linemate while at the same time giving him the freedom to be a bit more offensive. Last year, they had too many offensive guys playing together, and that's a risk this year again because Jon Merrill, [senior] Lee Moffie, [junior] Mac Bennett and [sophomore] Brennan Serville are all in that mold. "They really need [junior] Kevin Clare to be a shutdown On Michigan's forwards: "There is a lot of pressure on [senior] A.J. Treais because outside of him they don't have any playmaking centers on this team, and Michigan's cen- ters, traditionally, have been responsible for creating much of the offensive opportunities. "He had a good year, and started to figure out what he's capable of, but he'll need to be a 20-goal, 30-assist player this season. "Kevin Lynch has been their best forward the past two postseasons, but he hasn't shown he can sustain the in- tensity and two-way play over an entire year. I know he hasn't been healthy completely, but at some point you stop making excuses and just go out and do it. "[Sophomores] Phil Di Giuseppe and Alex Guptill had defender, and he was showing those signs late last season. And they need [freshman] Jacob Trouba to be an animal so they can pair him with Merrill or Moffie and let those guys create offense. " Kevin Lynch has been Michigan's best forward the past two postsea- sons, but needs to put it together for a full season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Tambellini — fast, great shot, and in the offensive zone, he all-out attacks. He could score 25 goals this year if he can avoid the periodic scoring lulls. — Michael Spath " very good rookie years and they'll have to improve upon their production for this team to score enough to win games with a shaky goaltending situation. "Guptill surprised me with his 16 goals. He's not as skilled as Di Giuseppe, but he knows how to put the puck in the net. "Di Giuseppe reminds me of [former Wolverine] Jeff

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