The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN HOCKEY Defenseman Mac Bennett Has Raised His Game ith the NHL lockout in effect, the Montreal Canadiens sent two scouts to Michigan's opening week of play in an effort to evaluate 2009 third-round selection Mac Ben- nett. They were impressed with what they saw from the 6-0, 193-pound junior defenseman. W "Our guys liked his poise out there, his ability to handle and move the puck," said Trevor Timmins, Mon- treal's director of amateur scouting. "He's a gifted skater. That's the one thing that he can rely on to get him to the NHL. He's not a big guy so he's had to add some size and strength, but he's in a great situation at Michi- gan, with some outstanding coach- ing, and we're seeing that develop- ment there. "Similarly to [former Wolverine defender] Greg Pateryn last season, this season Mac is being leaned on to log a lot of ice time, and to play in all situations — be a leader on the team — and that provides Mac with greater confidence in his ability. "He's just going to keep develop- ing his game with all the ice time he's getting." Bennett began his junior season an important veteran, one so respected he was named an alternate captain. He was expected to enhance his game after contributing six goals and 27 assists, with a plus/minus of plus- 28, in 73 career contests as a freshman and sophomore. But when classmate Jon Merrill went down with an injury in the preseason, Bennett saw his role change, challenged now to be the top defensive and offensive blue liner on the team. In the early going, he's responded to that call. "He's in a good way right now," head coach Red Berenson said. "He Bennett, a 6-0, 193-pound junior, contributed six goals and 27 assists, with a plus/minus of plus-28, in 73 career contests as a freshman and sophomore. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 104 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012