Page 10-Friday, October 30, 1981-The Michigan Daily The New-look CC/IA 1 fit, I M i . . +... +/'[ OS t4 rER By MARTHA CRALL Although John Giordano is beginning only his first full year as the Michigan head coach, his philosophies are already well-instilled into the system. The name of Giordano's game is committment, discipline, practice (practice, practice) and pride. His techniques include more defense than a Michigan team has been exposed to in a long time (by necessity, in lieu of proficient scorers), countless flow systems, and physical "grind-it-out" hockey. after the Wolverines were picked to finish tenth. As a result, Giordano was named. collegiate coach-of-the-year by The Hockey News, WCHA Coach-of-the- Year by The Denver Post and WCHA Co-Coach-of-the-Year along with Michigan Tech's John Maclnnes by the vote of the league coaches. Giordano began his coaching career at his alma mater, Harper Woods Notre Dame High School, in 1969, leading the Fighting Irish to the state champion- ship in 1972. He joined former head beginning -his first season in the Michigan program. Turner was also a very successful high school coach, at Trenton (MI) High School. In eight years, his teams won three state championships ('76, '79 and '80) and finished second once ('77). He was named Michigan Metro coach- of-the-year three times ('76, '80 and '81) and Detroit News'coach-of-the-year in 1976. Giordano respects Turner, and their coaching philosophies are basically quite similar. "He's learning our system, which takes awhile," said Giordano. "He's coming here and lear- ning how we want to coach these kids, which is a lot different (from high school systems)." AT THIS point Turner is not a big for- ce on the ice basically con of recruiting. Terry Culle coaching staf his senior Business Schc Cullen cam Guelph, Onta Most Valuabl neck injury i freshman se playing caree The Michigan Daily-Friday, Oct< Giordano and staff confront challenge of their first full y' (i .. 5, , '++'3 ' .""?'".t'£'t .:., "'.ia:<.. + " ,'r"...-.~'.."''.. .-'..h. .-+:'-N:.:-,:.:y:. >.". '.......'. ;;.__'.''_ ___.ii:. ,.'i" ',,.>+...>,1 ° / -"~At ?,,qIY X81 Veterans lead defense 'He's (Turner) learning our system, which takes a while. He's coming here and learning how we want to coach these kids, which is a lot different (than high school sys- tems).' -John Giordano on new assistant Mike Turner By BARB BARKER Losing two top defensemen such as Tim Manning and John Blum is likely to be a critical blow to any team's defen- se. But, with four returning senior blueliners, the strongest point for the Michigan hockey team will once again be its defense. The Wolverine veteran defensemen corps includes co-captains Dave Richter and Steve Richmond along with three year lettermen Brian Lundberg and Mark Perry. In addition, two newcomers, Mike Neff and John Ilawkins, will be vying for ice time with the senior squad. "DEFENSE WILL definitely be our key area," said Michigan coach John Giordano, who begins his first full season as head coach. "Having four senior defensemen is very encouraging. If they play the body 100 percent of the time, that will be our strength because they have experience handling the puck, they're strong and they have been through the situation before." Richmond, who broke several tear scoring records last year, will be th defensive leader. During his juni( year, he became the highest overa scoring defenseman in Michigan histor amassing 34 goals and 90 points in thre seasons. Richmond also set the sing] season scoring record for Wolverin defensmen with 54 goals, breakin teammate Manning's mark of 51 seti the 1979-80 season. "I DON'T KNOW if I'll score a many goals this year," said the Chicag native. "I'll certainly try. But, m number one concern is defense. W have plenty of good scorers in the fo ward line. I'll just try to get the puc out to them and worry about the defer se." "Richmond should definitely be team power," said Giordano. "Rig, now he is very strong offensively, be needs some improvement on defens With a little work he'll be able to pla both well simultaneously." Richter, who was voted most improve player by his teammates last year, for 229 minutes. The-6-0, 195 pounder m totaled 15 points in 1980-81. The 6-5, 217 has a total of 36 career points in three he pound veteran blueliner also has the seasons. 11 dubious distinction of receiving 68 v "Lundberg has been playing with a y penalties for 145 minutes, third among lot of enthusiasm," said Giordano. "He y, active players. Giordano maintains has really improved defensively and Be that "Richter is the team's, biggest should be playing right point on the e question mark this season." power play." g Giordano said he was pleased with ROOKIES NEFF and Hawkins will in the defensive skills of both Mark both be trying to break into the veteran Perry and Brian Lundberg. Wolverine defense. Hawkins, a 6-2, 195 s Perry is one of three e-Ann Arbor native of North Tonawanda, New York, Pioneer High School players on the played with the Junior Sabres in Buf- y° Michigan roster, joining Ted Speers falo last year. Neff, who hails from e and Rick LaCombe. The 6-0, 200 pound West Byoomfield, played for the Pad- r- senior collected five assists during last dock Pool Saints. k year's season. "We have a solid defensive team," n- "PERRY IS very good defensively," said Richmond. "The two young ones said Giordano. "He is working towards still need to gain experience, but this a playing point in power play. He showed will come with time.:I think already we ht much improvement over the summer have the best six defensemen in the ut and should be an asset." league." e. Lundberg, who hails from Lake what looks to be a very y Cowichan, British Columbia, will also powerful blue line, Giordano con- y add experienced leadership to the~oeflbu ie iraocn bdueriecs.e ledsin all th tinually stresses the need for defensive d blueline corps. He played in all 40 improvement. games as a junior and has missed just three games during his three-year "We don't have people who can just career, playing in 111 games. He has take the puck and score, so our strength played in 62 straight games which ties has to be in our defense," he said. "I am senior right wing Dennis May for the spending more and more time with the best active streak. Lundberg enters the defensive zone coverage. We have to season ranking fifth on Michigan's all- continue to improve, because defense is time penalty charts with 105 penalties still our key area." BELL' PIZZA- I UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT .1 1 2 FREE Pops 1 with every pizza! ' (offer expires 1-1-82) 1 I I EAT-IN! FREE DELIVERY I on pizza after 4:30 p.m. State & Packard-995-0232 I L........ ...................m..... ..n.r...i AND WITH LESS than a year to im- plement them, he has enjoyed con- siderable success. Giordano coached Michigan to a 23-17 record and a fifth place finish in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in 1980-81 coach Dan Farrell's Michigan staff for the 1979-80 season and molded the power play into a highly successful unit. GIORDANO IS joined this year by assistant coach Mike Turner, who is Turner ... new to Michigan hockey TRAVEL COSTS TOO HIGH: 'M' abandons WCHA for CCHA THlE BROWN JUG By MARK BOROWSKI The Michigan hockey team has said so long to the big boys of college hockey. No longer will it have to do bat- tle with the teams that have captured the NCAA crown of seven of the last ten years, at least not during the regular season. The Wolverines, along with former Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) counterparts Michigan Tech, Michigan State and Notre Dame, have all made the jump to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The move increases the number of teams in the CCHA to eleven and leaves six teams in the WCHA, including the NCAA champions from the last three seasons. THE CHANGE' OF LEAGUES was made by Michigan athletic director Don Canham to cut down on exorbitant travel costs. Trips to take on opponents in Denver and North Dakota would cost the Athletic Department upwards of $10,000 for a weekend series, far too much for a team that couldn't cover its own costs. The new league should also boost the attendance throughout the CCHA as it consists of four other Michigan schools (Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Northern Michigan and. Western Michigan) and three Ohio universities (Bowling 'Green State University. Miami and Wolverine arch-rival Ohio State). The University of Illinois- Chicago Circle is a probationary mem- ber this year and will apply for per- manent membership for next season. "Whenever you have a conference that is geographically close, it in- creases your fan support and everything else that goes with it," said Michigan head coach John Giordano. "NATURAL RIVALRIES . . . all within the state should help (make the league competitive). Even- tually it will be as competitive as the WCHA, but it may take a year." The 11 teams in the CCHA will play either 30 or 28 games and the standings will be determined on a percentage basis. The first eight teams will make the playoffs, with the first four teams having the home ice advantage for the two-game total-goals series. The four surviving teams will meet in a one game semifinals and final at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. GIORDANO HAS A good feeling about the new league which has never had an NCAA champion since being established in 1971. "I'm not pessimistic at all about the move to the new league. I think whatever league we're in we will try to win the championship. If we-didn't, then you know something is wrong,'' said Giordano. F CL ...st Ann From 10-8 ed within 2 Multi-colo You suppi" design staf Hundreds $2. each.e jw HOCKEY SUPPLEMENT STAFF Editor ................................................. MARTHA CRALL Staff Writers .................. Barb Barker, Mark Borowski, Kent Walley Senior Editor-..............................................Greg DeGulis Sales Manager..........................................Barbara Forslund Business Manager .........................................Randi Cigelnik Sales Representatives .......................... Joe Broda, Aida Eisenstat, Wendy Fox, Kathy Hendrick, Karen Silverstein, Adrienne Strambi, Nancy Thompson Cover photo by Daily photographer Brian Masck SH MEN AC 404 2 BI 1204 S. University l. r *1~is , , 4.,