Challenge: -The Michigan Daily -Thursday, October 18, 1984- Page 9 From Blues to Blue, Red takes command Michigan Wolverines Coach: Gordon "Red" Berenson 1983-84 record: 14-22-1 CCHA record: 11-18-1, 9th place Who to watch: Senior goalies Mark Chiamp and Jon Elliott; top retur- ning scorer Chris Seychel; defen- seman Todd Carlile; freshman Jeff Norton, Joe Lockwood, Brad Mc- Caughey. Berenson wants more production from his forwards. Prediction: Sixth Berenson Michigan State Spartans Coach: Ron Mason Record: 34-12 CCHA::21-9, 2nd (tie) Who to watch: Forwards Kelly Miller, Craig Simpson, Bill Shibicky, Gord Flegel; defensemen Gary Haight, Don McSween; freshmen Kevin Miller, Sean Clement, Tom Tilley. Mason looks for school's first NCAA championship since 1966. Prediction: First By BARB MCQUADE Blue and Red go nicely together. New head coach Gordon "Red" Berenson takes the reins of the Michigan hockey program this year in his first season coaching at the collegiate level. Berenson, who stresses the mental as well as the physical aspects of the game, hopes to use that combination to build the Wolverines in- to "a national college power." THE FORMER Michigan icer retur- ns to Ann Arbor with an impressive list of credentials. A two-time All- American center, Berenson also spent 22 years in the National Hockey League -17 as a player and five as a coach. As a senior at Michigan in 1961-62, Berenson set a school record with 43 goals and 27 assists for 70 points in just 28 games while leading his team to a third-place finish in the NCAA cham- pionships. The former captain's nine hat-tricks that year also notched a mark in the Michigan record book. Berenson became the first college hockey player to join the ranks of the NHL, playing nine games with the Mon- treal Canadiens following his three years on Michigan's varsity in 1962. His NHL career consisted of 987 games in which he scored 261 goals as a member of four different teams: Montreal, the New York Rangers, St. Louis, and Detroit. BERENSON finished his playing career in St. Louis, where he remained as an assistant coach after retiring. During the 1979-80 season, he became head coach and the following year was named Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Blues to a 45-18-17 record. Dismissed from St. Louis during the 1981-82 campaign, Berenson served as assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres prior to his current position at Michigan. HE RETURNED to Ann Arbor this summer despite coaching offers from professional teams because of the in- stability of coaching at that level. "I didn't see much of a future in coaching in the NHL. There's always a gun at your head." "WHEN THE situation (to coach at Michigan) came up. I thought it would be challenging. ' I was in the NHL for 22 years as a player and coach. The grass isn't always as green as everyone thinks. This is a challenge for me and it's a challenge to give something back to Michigan." Berenson faces a situation all first- year coaches must confront - that of coaching someone else's team. The current Wolverine icers all share the distinction of having been recruited by John Giordono, Michigan's head coach for the past three and a half years, but they seem ready to adjust to Berenson's agressive style of hockey. "I've got the feeling the players were excited about a new coach," Berenson said. "I like the positive attitude on the team." THE NEW Michigan coach's first priority is improvement and he plans to build the Wolverines into a dominant force in college hockey. "THE IMPROVEMENT of our players overall will depend on the ad- ditional players we bring in," said Berenson. "These things don't happen over night. Recruiting will have to be a major part of our program. You can't bring in a lot of players because you're limited in the number of scholarships, and the players we're talking about aren't going to come without scholar- ships. We're not going to nickel and dime anybody." The number of scholarships and the players available will determine how long it takes." In the meantime, the Regina, Saskat- chewan native hopes to bring out the best in what he feels is a talented team. "THERE'S A LOT of talent there that didn't surface last season. We're a much better offensive team than in- dicated by the statistics last year. We're capable of twice as many goals." Aside from the talent Berenson sees, he feels a balance of mental concen- tration along with that physical ability is a vital aspect to the game. His philosophy stresses the idea that his players' level of concentration could prove to be a deciding factor on his hockey club. "The difference between playing great or fair or poorly is a player's mental confidence. That confidence can make a big difference on the team." Berenson's insight on a hockey player's psyche goes further than just the level of confidence. He feels that poise on the ice is every bit as impor- tant. "Hockey is a game of emotion. But you can't be at high emotion all the time. You never want to get too high when you win or too low when you lose. 70 percent of the game is mental. If we go out and win two this weekend, I won't be ecstatic. It's just as important how you do next week. You must always be just as prepared." Mason Ohio State Buckeyes Coach: Jerry Welsh Record: 30-10-1 CCHA: 21-9, 2nd (tie) Who to watch: Honorable mention all-American John Dougan; defen- semen Mike Rousseau, Mark Shortt; freshmen Bill Brown, Rick Brebent, Darcy Gryba. Some say OSU is "rebuilding," but don't believe it. Prediction: Second Welsh Daily Photo by STU WEIDENBACH Former Wolverine star Red Berenson returns this season in the head coaching role. The longtime NHL center adds experience and knowledge to a program in need of revival. COACHES PICK 'M' SEVENTH: Spartans rate as preseason choice Western Michigan Broncos Coach: Bill Wilkinson Record: 22-18-2 CCHA: 13-14-1, 5th Who to watch: Dan Dorian, a 40-goal scorer, forwards Troy Thrun, Lance Johnston. Strong second half last year has put WMU into contender's role. Prediction: Third Wilkinson Bowling Green Falcons Coach': Jerry York Record: 34-8-2 CCHA: 22-4-2, First Who to watch: Jamie Wansbrogh, 34 goals last year, left winger George Roll; freshmen Brian McKee, Scott Pollack; goalie Gary Kruzich, 2.87 GAA last year. They're the defen- ding NCAA champs, but half the players are freshmen. Prediction: Fourth By CHRIS GERBASI If history repeats itself, Michigan State should win the Central Colegiate Hockey Association title this season. No, the Spartans are not the defending champions,' but they are the preseason favorite in the CCHA coaches' poll. Last year, the coaches' choice, Bowling Green, not only won the regular season title but the NCAA Championship as well. Perhaps a champion- ship is in the Spartan's future. MICHIGAN ON the other hand, has no idea what the future may hold. A ninth-place team a year ago, the Wolverines are rated seventh in the preseason poll, but that's not really a sign of improvement con- sidering two schools, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, left the CCHA this year to play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Fyiear oadi Red Beremin has shakm higs up a bit in an effort to turn the program around. Seven who were members of the '83-'84 team failed to make the grade this season. Seven freshmen replace them and I'm not saying we're going to be a powerhouse, but every line has the potential to score.' -Red Berenson two of those frosh, Joe Lockwood and Brad Mc- Caughey scored last weekend as Michigan split two games with Miami of Ohio. BUT BERENSON really doesn't know how to rate his team. "I don't know if we're a ninth-place team or better than that," he said. "The top three lines have good puck sense. I'm not saying we're going to be a powerhouse, but every line has the potential to score. The defense is a little sluggish but I think it'll be helped by a freshman, Jeff Norton. In goal, (Mark) Chiamp looks sharp and (Jon) Elliott should have a better year than last year." Berenson's coaching counterpart at East Lansing, Ron Mason thinks the Wolverines need a little time. "THEY HAVE good talent and once Red knows the players better and gets a conception of his players as a team, they can be a contender," he said. "Chiamp is an outstanding goalie and if you're strong in goal, you can contend." Mason's own team seems to be strong everywhere. Coming off a 34-12 record, Michigan State is the team to beat because they have 20 returning lettermen and lost only four to graduation. "Going in on paper, we have the best returning group. But you don't measure success on paper," Mason said. THE TOP returnees for Mason include sophomore forward Craig Simpson, who accounted for 57 points in '83-'84, senior forward Kelly Miller, who scored 28 goals and senior center Gord Flegel, who notched 23. The defense should be bolstered by the addition of U.S. Olympic team member Gary Haight and sophomore goaltenders Norm Foster and Bob Essena combined for a league-leading 2.78 goals against average last year. Two years ago, Western Michigan struggled to an 11-23-2 mark, but last season, coach Bill Wilkinison directed his team to a 22-18-2 overall record to earn himself Coach of the Year honors. Now, the Broncos are ready to contend for first place. WESTERN HAS 21 returnees, led by high-flying forward Dan Dorian. Dorian, a junior, amassed 41 goals and 50 assists for 91 points, the second highest total in the league. Dorian is helped by junior center Troy Thrun (23-29-52) and left wing Lance Johnston (28-24-52). The Broncos should score a lot of goals and they'll need to unless goalie Glenn Healy can im- prove on his 3.90 GAA. Bowling Green has captured the crown the past three years and in six of the last nine seasons, but if the Falcons are to repeat, they will have to overcome the loss of 1 players. Still, the league's coaches feel Bowling Green will finish at least as high as third. "I'm not too thrilled with our place in the polls," said Coach Jerry York. "I don't think we should try to compare last year's team with this year's. Last year we accomplished some great goals, but a great majority of those players won't be with us. So we're starting fresh." AND STARTING freshmen. Thirteen of 24. players on the Falcons' roster are first year players. York is most impressed by three defensemen, Brian McKee, Scott Pollack and Doug Coaggett. Ohio State will again have a solid squad despite the loss of the celebrated Pooley Brothers, Paul and Perry, and forward Andy Browne. The trio accounted for 105 goals and 137 assists last year, but don't feel sorry for coach Jerry Walsh. He has 16 returning let- termen on his roster, and he may rely on his defense to get the job done this season. "I think our defense will hold the fort while we develop our scorers," Welsh said. "I don't expect us to win 30 games this year, but I think with input from our freshmen and improved scoring by our returning forwards and with our defense playing as well as they did last year, there's no reason why we're not going to finish high in our league." FERRIS STATE, a team which tied for sixth last season, could move up in the standings for no other reason than that two teams which finished in front of them, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, are no longer in the league. The Bulldogs lost top scorer Randy Merrifield, but center Graham Craig (25-26-51) and left wing Paul Couture (23-21-44) will pick up the slack. Craig and Couture will be joined on the line by freshman center Rod Schluter. Senior co-captain Brad Hildestad will anchor the defense for coach Dick Bertrand in front of goalie Rob Hughston. While Hughston had an inflated goals against of 4.35, he managed to post a 15-11-1 record. THERE WILL be plenty of new faces on Lake Superior's team as coach Frank Anzalone has decided to keep 10 freshmen on a roster which in- cludes only three seniors. One of those seniors, however, is top scorer Allan Butler. The centerman notched 28 goals and 26 assists, but after Butler the scoring threats disap- pear. The Lakers will need added punch from junior Keith Martin (11-13-24) and sophomore Jim Roque (9- 17-26). The Lakers' defense should be strong, led by seniors Chris Guy and Chris Dahlquist. Sophomore goaltender Randy Exelby will be challenged for the starting job by freshmen Craig Shermoen and Chris Harris. 'Going in on paper, we have the best returning.group, but you don't measure success on paper.' -MSU coach Ron Mason COACH STEVE Cady's biggest concern at Miami of Ohio will be replacing four-year starting goalten- der Alain Chevrier. Sophomore Jim Lowell will step into Chevrier's skates and hold down the number one job. The Redskinis also return all but one defenseman from last year. Offensively, Miami will be led by wingers John Ciotti (21-21-42) and Andy Cozzi (15-26-41) and center Todd Channell (14-14-28). Cady enjoys his underdog role as a low-rated team, but wherever the Redskins finish, they can be sure it won't be last place as long as Illinois-Chicago is in the league. THE FLAMES skated to a 5-29-1 record last year and 6-28-2 the previous season, but 20 players return so there is hope for improvement. Senior Colin Chin centers the top line for left wing Mike Rucinski and right wing Ray Staszak, and they combined for 43 goals and 68 assists. Chin is already the Flames' all-time leading scorer. Jim Hickey returns as the number one goalie after starting 24 games as a freshman. The race for the CCHA title should be a wide open one between MSU, Western, OSU and Bowling Green with Ferris State and Michigan hoping to leap into the top four, but the Spartans have experience and history on their side. York Ferris State Bulldogs Coach: Dick Bertrand Record : 18-20-3 CCHA: 13-15-2, 6th (tie) Who to watch: Sophomores Paul and Peter Lowden, top scorer Graham Craig, defenseman Brad Hildestad; goalie Rob Hughston. An improving team whih could move into the top four. Prediction: Fifth Biertrand( e Lake Superior Lakers Coach: Frank Anzalone R nn n n 1Q lh1n Miami Redskins Coach: Steve Cady Illinois-Chicago Flames Coach: Val Belmonte ;, : .. I m