The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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A one of them. Jed Ortmeyer learned that when head coach Red Beren- son sent him to the press confer- ence alone following a 4-0 loss to Michigan State on Senior Night in 2003. Eric Nystrom was forced to face off with media scrutiny fol- lowing another early exit from the n abundance of benefits come with wearing the famed 'C' on one's jersey. Talking to the media is not BY MICHAEL SPATH ing through Nov. 24 with nine goals and 14 points. He is looking to be- come the first Michigan captain since Hagelin in 2011, and just the sixth captain in Berenson's 29 seasons, to lead his team in point production. "He's been a stud," senior defense- The Only Way He Knows How, With His Play Captain A.J. Treais Is Leading WALKING THE WALK NCAA Tournament in 2005, and Carl Hagelin fought back tears in trying to utter the words to explain a 3-2 overtime loss in the 2011 national championship. A.J. Treais sat in front of the media following a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame Nov. 15 that dropped Michigan to 4-5-1 (the Wolverines would fall the following night also), and while the questions weren't friendly, the senior didn't become agitated, and not be- cause he didn't care about his team's performance, but because Treais is a quiet, unassuming type, almost oblivious to it all. Treais won't be confused with the fire-and-brimstone captains of years past, but there is no right or wrong way to command. His play on the ice provides his vehicle to lead, and it works. "He's not afraid to speak up, and obviously he's not afraid to walk the talk on the ice," Berenson said. "He's a role model as a student-athlete here. You won't notice him in class or on the street and think, 'Here's the captain of the Michigan hockey team,' but when he puts on that uni- form and goes down those steps, he plays like a captain." The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., na- tive led the Maize and Blue in scor- 70 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2012 He's leading this team by example, and it's been pretty special to watch. "Physically, defensively — he's do- ing the little things right, and obvi- ously he's scoring big goals for us. He's been unbelievable this year, and by far the most valuable player on our team right now." Kevin Porter in 2008 to be named captain without serving as an alter- nate the previous season. Though he didn't have any official experience in prior years at Michigan, Treais did serve in a leadership role during his teenage campaigns. "I was captain of my club team for PREPARING TO WEAR THE 'C' Treais is the first Wolverine since five or six years, but this is a whole different level," he said. "I have more responsibility. You're not just looking out for yourself; you're looking out for 27 guys. "For my club team, you're just hooting and hollering, talking to the refs and that was pretty much it. But this year, you need to set a good im- age for the program. Lead my team. Make sure everything goes right. If Treais found the back of the net nine times in U-M's first 13 games and is on pace for a 30-goal season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL man Lee Moffie said. "I've been in his class for four years, and I've seen his skill set and talent, and it's al- ways been there. You've seen flashes in the past where he's gotten hot, but right now he's putting it all together.