The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN HOCKEY A year ago, six different Wolver- ines scored at least 10 goals, including current senior A.J. Treais, sophomore Alex Guptill and sophomore Phil Di Giuseppe. However, it has been five years since a Maize and Blue squad had eight different 10-goal scorers (2008, see chart), and only four times since 2000 has this occurred. In the 1990s, it used to be the norm, with Michigan producing at least eight 10- goal scorers in eight of 10 campaigns. Those teams were impossible to stop on a nightly basis, and while Year No. Leading Scorer 2008 8 Kevin Porter (33) 2006 8 T.J. Hensick (17) Kevin Porter (17) Brandon Kaleniecki (17) SEASONS WITH EIGHT OR MORE 10-GOAL SCORERS Sophomore forward Phil Di Giuseppe scored 11 goals last season, making him one of six Wolverines to post at least 10 goals in the 2011-12 campaign. 2005 8 Jeff Tambellini (24) 2001 9 Mike Cammalleri (29) 1997 8 Jason Botterill (37) 1996 9 Jason Botterill (32) 1995 11 Mike Knuble (38) 1994 9 Mike Knuble (32) 1993 10 David Oliver (35) 1992 8 Denny Felsner (42) 1991 10 Denny Felsner (40) 1990 8 Denny Felsner (27) 1987 9 Brad Jones (32) PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN U-M might not be as prolific this year, it could make life miserable for opponents that are prepared to slow only one or two lines. "Last year, we had one line going at one time and another line going another time, so a balanced offense is always the best option," said Guptill, who feels an energized locker room early this season. "Everyone is re- ally happy and feels like part of the HOCKEY NOTEBOOK BAD LUCK • Junior defenseman Jon Merrill is not expected to return until December, at the earliest, after suffering a cracked vertebrae during an exhibition game against Windsor Oct. 9. Checked into the boards, Merrill required a neck brace to stabilize his spinal column. A 6-4, 210-pound, Brighton, Mich., native, Merrill missed 22 games during his sophomore year after being held out of the lineup due to suspension for an off-field transgression. He returned to post two goals and 19 assists with a plus/ minus of plus-11 in 19 games. In 2011, he earned CCHA All-Freshman Team honors after coach Red Berenson said. "I've seen a lot worse injuries on innocent plays like that. It's tough, but Jonny has a good at- titude and he'll come back and be better than ever. " TIME TO SHINE • Sophomore forward Zach Hyman was a prolific goal scorer before arriving at Michigan, earning Canadian Junior A Player of the Year honors in 2010-11 after leading the league in points per game (2.37) with 42 goals and 60 assists in 43 games. However in 41 games with the Wolverines last season, the 106 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 6-1, 199-pounder had just two goals and seven assists. This year, U-M is hopeful Hyman will break out, and so far, he's off to a good start, with a goal and an assist in three games played. "I can't ever predict what kind of a player a kid will become, scoring seven goals with 18 helpers and a plus/minus of plus-11 in 42 games. "It's unfortunate, but it could have been worse," head whether he got snake bit … confidence is a big part of it. In the mean time, he's a freshman. It's a big transition coming to a program like this, a school like this. It was a big change. "Some guys go through sophomore slumps and some guys have breakout years, so we'll see where he goes." • Sophomore classmate Michael Szuma, meanwhile, will but with the numbers he had coming out of Tier II junior hockey you expected he'd find a way to score or create offense, " Berenson said. "He did get chances last year, but team. When you're scoring, it puts a smile on your face and adds to your confidence. scoring by committee this season. I think we have four pretty solid lines. There is not one line too much better than the other lines. Four lines and ev- eryone has to chip in when they can, but I'm sure somebody will step up and score 20 goals or more also." u "I just think it's going to be more continue to receive a strong opportunity to seize playing time with Merrill out and U-M down to seven defensemen competing for six spots. The 5-11, 195-pounder appeared in only two games during his rookie campaign but has played in one this season. "I like the kid, and he's a terrific student, and a great teammate, and now he'll be tested as a player. "He worked hard in practice all last year. He's a good-skating, agile defenseman. He just needs to keep it simple. All I need from our defensemen is to move the puck out of our zone, don't get beat one on one, and so on. And he knows that. " " Berenson said. "He's got a terrific attitude,