Arthur Berman writes...
>But I doubt Red Beronson is overly concerned about
>whether NHL bound players get a degree.  He cares
>so little about his player's development he whines
>whenever onE goes to the World Junior tournament, as
>discussed on this list during that tournament.
 
So, Arthur, when is the last time you've spoken with
Coach Berenson regarding this?  Obviously you know
him very well, to be able to cast such a big stone.
 
It appears that Coach Berenson feels that if you commit
to Michigan, you should play for Michigan during the
season and not hop around to various international events.
While I don't fully agree with this philosophy, I hardly see
the correlation with his so called lack of concern for the
development and education of his players.
 
I didn't see Arthur in the audience this past Monday when
Coach Berenson awarded Brian Deasley his 'M' ring.  At
Michigan, GRADUATING players receive an engraved
ring.  Deasley played for Michigan in the mid to late 1980s,
and turned pro following his sophomore season.  Although
Berenson, as well as many others, was disappointed with
Deasley's decision to leave (a first round draft pick, his NHL
career never did materialize), he was pleased to see Brian
return to earn his degree.  In fact, Coach Berenson mentioned
that he now only has one ring remaining in his possession...for
Denny Felsner, who has not finished his degree since joining
the St Louis Blues at the end of his senior season.  He asked
everyone in attendance to mention this to Denny the next
time we see him.  Doesn't sound like someone that could
care less about Denny's education.
 
Coach Berenson also awarded rings the Al Loges and Ron
Sacka, the two outgoing seniors that are graduating this
semester.  The remainder of the senior class (Tim Hogan,
Mike Knuble, Alan Sinclair and Rick Willis) are all scheduled
to graduate in June, following the Spring semester.  They
will get their rings then.  As for Knuble's pro signing, I'm not
sure what immediate impact it will have on his coursework,
but his contract DOES have an educational clause in it allowing
him to complete his degree.
 
Coach Berenson is also very upfront about players leaving
school early for the professional ranks.  He doesn't like it,
but he will say if he feels it's in the players best interest or
not.  Among the recent trio that departed, Berenson seemed
to feel that Cam Stewart was ready for the pros and received
a very good contract but that Ryan Sittler and Aaron Ward
would have been better served by another season (or two,
in Sittler's case) at Michigan.  I wish Cam had stayed, but I
agree with the Coach.  Ward in particular.  With defensemen
David Harlock, Pat Neaton and Chris Tamer all graduating,
Ward would have been THE MAN in his senior season.  Coach
Berenson felt that this was in his best interest, a season where
he was the dominant player in his position at Michigan, possibly
the dominant D in the CCHA.  He choose a minor league contract
to play with Adirondack instead.  Again, I tend to agree with
Berenson.
 
And, look at Berenson himself.  Not only did he receive a
BBA from Michigan, but he returned to UM and earned his
MBA during his pro career.  He is a VERY education minded
coach.
 
As for player development, I cite the examples above and
will also mention the well documented case of David Oliver,
a rookie with the Edmonton Oilers.  Coach Berenson felt that
a dominant senior season (1993-94) at Michigan was the
best thing for David.  Oliver may have been leaning toward
international competition instead, namely the Olympics, but
he stayed in Ann Arbor, was a Hobey Baker finalist and is
now enjoying a fantastic rookie season in the NHL.  Ollie
still calls Coach Berenson and relies on him for advice even
though he's now in the NHL.  It doesn't sound like someone
not concerned about the development of his players.  (Ollie
credits Berenson with helping him become a complete player,
something he wasn't as late as the summer between his
junior and senior season.  His defensive skills, work ethic
and passing ability certainly showed noticeable improvements
in his senior season.  He could always put the puck in the net.)
 
Again, even though I think some things are to be gained by
having players participate in international competitions during
the season, one also has to remember that Coach Berenson
has a commitment to the University of Michigan as well as his
players.  He may "whine" about them going to the WJC, but
he hasn't flat out stopped them from participating, has he?  In
the 1990s, Jason Botterill, David Harlock, Kevin Hilton, Patrick
Neaton and Aaron Ward come to mind as UM players that
have left the team during the CCHA/NCAA season to participate
in international competitions.  Brendan Morrison would have
been gone as well, but he was cut from Team Canada's 1994
WJC team.
 
Every person has faults, and Coach Berenson and I don't share
the same philosophy on several topics, but I would certainly
never accuse him of what Arthur has.
 
But, obviously Arthur knows Coach B much better than I do.
 
 
John Haeussler
Univ of Michigan
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