The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan hockey Saints of the United States Hockey League, the 6-3, 194-pound Downing is ranked as the No. 6 player in the USHL for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. "He's one of these kids that plays a superior all-around game," Powers said. "He's got offensive instincts. He really sees the ice well, similar to Jonny Merrill; his passes are always to the right guy. He has a very high hockey IQ. He has a mean streak to him. He's not afraid to use his body. "He's still growing into himself, but when this kid puts weight on and gets in our strength and conditioning program, he's going to be a force all the way around." A 6-2, 180-pound defenseman from Victoria, B.C., playing for the hometown Grizzlies, De Jong was originally a Cornell commitment, but he opened up his recruitment and pledged to Michigan in October. "Nolan is not a whole lot dissimilar to Michael Downing," Powers said. "If you look to the west, go to Alberta and talk about the defensemen joining college hockey, Nolan will be in the top three conversation every day. "He's a smart, puck-moving kid that likes to jump into the play. He has really good offensive instincts, yet he knows how to play the game without the puck, and he's learning more and more how to balance offense and defense. We think he's a dynamite pickup." The Wolverines are adding three forwards from the United State Development Program: Evan Allen, J.T. Compher and Tyler Motte. Allen, 5-10, 195 pounds, is ranked No. 19 among USHL players eligible for this summer's draft. "He's a sniper," Powers said. "He'll walk in and from day one have the best shot on the team or be in the top two or three. He really knows what to do with the puck, but he's not just a goal scorer. He makes plays. And as he's gotten stronger; his entire game has evolved." Though he isn't overwhelming physically, at 5-10, 178 pounds, Compher is the No. 1-ranked draft-eligible player in the USHL. "He's a throwback-type centerman, just a nasty kid to play against," Powers said. "Ferociously competitive, and you add a nice blend of skill to go along with a real feistiness. He loves to finish his checks. He plays the whole rink. There's no quit. Hockey Rewind: nov. 30-Dec. 16 Overall Record: 6-9-2 (4-7-2 CCHA) Record Nov. 30-Dec. 16: 1-2-1 National Ranking: NR Pairwise Ranking: NR Best Win — 2-0 vs. Western Michigan: One night after Red Berenson sat in front of the media admitting he didn't have the words to explain his team's continued struggles — U-M had entered its Dec. 14 showdown with Western Michigan 1-5-1 in its last seven and dropped a 4-1 decision to the Broncos — Michigan responded with, arguably, its best performance of the year, shutting down WMU for a 2‑0 victory Dec. 15. The Wolverines outshot their opponents 33‑25 and scored a pair of third-period markers, off the sticks of defensemen Brennan Serville and Jacob Trouba, to earn the win. MVP — Junior Adam Janecyk: Michigan's third-string goalie, the junior had not played in net for the Maize and Blue since Jan. 7, 2012 — a span of 33 games — when he was called on for Michigan's Dec. 15 matchup with Western Michigan. Janecyk would rise to the challenge, turning aside six first-period shots, nine in the second and 10 in the deciding third period, recording the first shutout of his career and the first by a Wolverine goaltender all year. While there is much still to prove, it is ex- After making the move from left wing to center on pected the Ada, Mich., native the second line, freshman Cristoval Nieves produced will receive a greater opportu- a goal and three assists in the next four games. photo by lon horwedel nity in the season's second half. On The Rise — Senior Kevin Lynch: Though he has contributed only one assist in the past four games, the senior right winger has been asserting himself in a leadership role since being awarded an 'A' on his jersey. The alternate captain has been one of the Wolverines' most consistent skaters, playing with grit and determination, and using his 6-1, 209-pound frame to physically grind his opponents. Top Freshman — Cristoval Nieves: When Berenson juggled the lines during a weekend series at Ferris State Nov. 30-Dec. 1, he moved Nieves from left wing to center on the second line between sophomore Phil Di Giuseppe and junior Luke Moffatt. In his four games at the position, the 6-3, 200-pounder nicknamed "Boo" tallied a goal and three assists, including the helper on Serville's game-winning marker against the Broncos. Series To Watch — Dec. 29-30 Great Lakes Invitational: After enduring a 10year lull between victories, Michigan captured its 12th Great Lakes Invitational with wins over Providence and Michigan Tech in 2007. The Wolverines would repeat in 2008, and have won two in a row again (2010-11) entering this year's holiday tournament. The Maize and Blue will meet Michigan Tech in the opener, and if they win will play either Michigan State or Western Michigan. A GLI crown could be exactly the kind of kick-start U-M needs for a second-half run absolutely necessary to make the NCAA Tournament. January 2013 the wolverine 63