As everyone knows, Michigan is graduating nine seniors,
all of whom have seen significant ice time during their four
years in Ann Arbor. Will the Wolverines rebuild or reload
in 1997-98? Only time will tell.
Assuming all non-seniors return, here's an early, brief and
incomplete look at the 1997-98 squad (with 1996-97 stats):
CENTERS
NO NAME YR GP G A PTS PIM +/-
25 Bobby Hayes JR 38 6 11 17 66 9
11 Andrew Merrick SO 36 3 10 13 42 8
14 Craig Assenmacher SO 2 0 0 0 0 E
Mark Kosick FR - - - - - -
RIGHT WINGERS
NO NAME YR GP G A PTS PIM +/-
16 Bill Muckalt SR 36 26 38 64 69 26
17 Sean Ritchlin JR 38 10 10 20 48 13
23 Dale Rominski JR 38 6 7 13 58 12
Scott Crawford FR - - - - - -
Troy Kahler FR - - - - - -
LEFT WINGERS
NO NAME YR GP G A PTS PIM +/-
8 Matt Herr SR 43 29 23 52 67 21
13 Greg Crozier JR 31 5 15 20 45 6
Geoff Koch FR - - - - - -
MISCELLANEOUS FORWARD PARTS
NO NAME YR GP G A PTS PIM +/-
7 Justin Clark JR 30 3 4 7 38 7 winger
20 Krikor Arman FR 0 0 0 0 0 - winger
Scott Matzka FR - - - - - - forward
COMMENTS
Herr and Muckalt are legitimate 30-goal type scorers that should
merit some All-CCHA and All-America consideration. IMO, Merrick
is a 50-60 point center waiting to happen if placed between them.
Kosick is potentially an impact player at center as well. It's time
for Crozier and Ritchlin to put up some 20-goal, 40+ point numbers
and be more consistent (and healthier) than they have been to
date. Hayes is a gritty, two-way center that can score 25 points
and still have a great season. If he approaches a point a game
it would be a major bonus. Rominski is a fan favorite with his work
ethic and hitting. He may blossom offensively as well, but he'll
play a more important role on the team killing penalties and
providing an emotional spark when necessary ala former captain
Rick Willis. Clark has the size and skill to contribute,
but he'll be fighting with some talented freshman for playing time.
Assenmacher and Arman will be a redshirt sophomore and
redshirt freshman, respectively. I'm not positive if they've been
*officially* redshirted, but it's only a matter of paperwork should
they and UM want a fifth season. Can they contribute at this level?
Hard to say, but they have been skating with the team each week
in practice since they arrived and that can only help them. The
freshmen as a whole are talented and, as expected, a question
mark. I see Kosick and Koch as being the two most likely to make
a big impact, although all of them should receive playing time
during the course of the season. It wouldn't surprise me to see
one more newcomer added to this group during the late signing
period.
DEFENSEMEN
NO NAME YR GP G A PTS PIM +/-
3 Bubba Berenzweig JR 38 7 12 19 49 29
26 Chris Fox SR 32 3 9 12 61 22
24 Sean Peach SO 41 0 8 8 91 17
2 Kevin Magnuson SO 10 0 3 3 20 10
Scott Crawford FR - - - - - -
Ryan VanBuskirk FR - - - - - -
Mike VanRyn FR - - - - - -
Berenzweig is an All-CCHA candidate and will be the defensive
leader. He has 40-point potential if the coaching staff will give
him the green light more often. Peach had a tremendous March
and, IMO, is one of the best young defensemen in the CCHA.
Fox is a veteran that has never been in the top four. He'll be
expected to step forward and play some significant minutes
and I think he's up to the task. Magnuson is more of a mystery,
but he displayed a gritty, physical style in his few 1996-97
appearances. Look for a fourth freshman to come on board
at some point and look for 2-3 frosh in the lineup every game.
All three listed above are of the 6-0/6-1 and 185-190 pound ilk.
The defense is the great unknown for Michigan next year. Their
fortunes will depend a good deal on how well and how quickly
the young defense adapts to this level of play and comes
together as a unit. Early reports are that Crawford is the best
puckhandler/skater/scorer of the bunch, VanBuskirk is a
physical presence and VanRyn can do a little of everything.
GOALTENDING
NO NAME YR GP W L T GAVG SPCT
35 Marty Turco SR 41 33 4 4 2.27 89.3
29 Gregg Malicke SR 11 2 0 0 2.09 89.9
20 Greg Daddario JR 2 0 0 0 0.00 100.
The strength of the team, All-American Turco will be relied on
much more than he has been his first three seasons. He may
have to carry the team some in the early season as the frosh
are getting their feet wet in front of him.
CAPTAINS
If I were handing out letters, I'd put a "C" on Herr's jersey,
an "A" on Turco's and either or on Muckalt's. I wouldn't
mind seeing Herr and Muckalt as co-captains with Turco
and one of the juniors as alternates.
OUTLOOK
On paper, the CCHA isn't boasting any of the nation's top
three or four teams in 1997-98. However, Michigan, Miami,
Michigan State and Lake Superior are all in the running
for an NCAA tourney appearance. Miami would be the
clear early favorite if not for the departure of Randy Robitaille.
If Michigan doesn't lose any non-seniors, and they can
weather the storm during the first half of the season when
the freshman are getting their first taste of college hockey
and several returning players are adjusting to bigger roles
on the team, the Wolverines have the potential to make a
run at their fifth consecutive CCHA regular season title.
The CCHA should see a great race next season...possibly
similar to 1995-96 when four teams finished within one point
of each other.
GO BLUE!
John Haeussler ([log in to unmask])
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