This was published in the Detroit Free press Saturday-FYI.....


http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/SPORTS06/100122041/1053/sports05/Kings-GM-rips-Red-Berenson-Michigan-hockey

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Posted: 2:26 p.m. Jan. 22, 2010 | Updated: 5:32 p.m. Jan. 22, 2010 
Kings GM rips Red Berenson, Michigan hockey
POSTED BY JAMES JAHNKE
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Buzz up!The college hockey message boards (yes, there are some) are going nuts over a blog post out of Los Angeles in which Kings general manager Dean Lombardi lambastes Michigan coach Red Berenson and his program.


The reason U-M even comes up is because Kings defenseman Jack Johnson is a Michigan alumnus. Incidentally, Los Angeles visits the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. 

The comments, made to frozenroyalty.net, really are quite amazing in their candidness. Here's a sampling: 

“This guy has never had any coaching (at Michigan),” Lombardi said. “Jack just did what he wanted. Michigan is the worst. For hockey people, if you’ve got a choice between a kid — all things being equal — one’s going to Michigan, and one’s going to Boston University, you all want your player (going to BU). Michigan’s players — Red doesn’t coach. It’s ‘do what you want.’ 

“Jack was a thoroughbred out there. But he was all over the place. He was awful as a hockey player." 

A spokesman for Michigan said Berenson did not feel the need to respond to Lombardi's comments. 

For what it's worth, Johnson is on the U.S. Olympic team for next month's Games. Johnson wasn't happy when asked about the comments by the Los Angeles Times: 

"I'm a Michigan man. I'm very proud of it. I wouldn't want to have it any other way," Johnson said. "Michigan has produced more NHL players than any other school." 

Berenson, Johnson said, "is one of the finest coaches and men that I've met. For my general manager to rip me as a person and criticize me as a person and as a player and call me an awful hockey player is irresponsible and unprofessional." 

More is surely to come, especially with Johnson and the Kings visiting the area Saturday. 

Free Press sports writer George Sipple contributed to this report.