Page 16-The Michigan Daly- Monday, April 19,1993 BLUE LINES: <47 'M ' icers hope to reload, not rebuild by Brett Forrest Daily Hockey Writer #,, ., f ?' /it 4 / - m - EVAN PETRIE/Daily Michigan coach Red Berenson will be without the services of center Mark 'Ouimet and his senior classmates next ye ar. _________ The feeling of renewal upon which many of us dote this time of the year has not escaped the Michigan hockey team. True, the Wolverines' season did end less than three weeks ago. However, it is time to recover from the heart- wrenching overtime loss to Maine in the NCAA semifinals and look ahead to next year. Six crucial seniors are now gone, off to pursue other interests. Three-year captain David Harlock, the anchor of the Michigan blue line, will likely play for Canada in the Lillehammer Olympics in January. Last season's leading scorer, David Roberts, is playing out the year in Europe for the United States and will attend the St. Louis Blues' training camp in the fall. Defenseman Pat Neaton is playing alongside Roberts in Europe and it looks as if he will soon be sporting the red, white and blue for coach Tim Taylor's U.S. Olympians. Center Mark Ouimet, the fastest Wolverine and second-leading scorer last year, played for the Baltimore Skipjacks of the American Hockey League last week and will negotiate with the Washington Capitals after he gets his degree this year. Defenseman Chris Tamer will probably be a Pittsburgh Penguin, if not this season then next. Winger Dan Stiver, Toronto's 1990 eighth-round draft choice, will presumably try his luck in the Leafs' next training camp. Michigan hockey's 1993 senior class made the most impact on the program than any other group in recent memory. Rarely does a team employ six players with such talent and dedication, let alone have them all in the same class. The defense provided by Neaton, Tamer and Harlock helped make Michigan the national leader in goals against average. The line of Ouimet, Roberts and Stiver led the team in goals and was a big reason why the Wolverines finished second nationally in goals scored per game. But the six played their last game at Yost in March, and their departure leaves a gargantuan hole on the ice and in the lockerroom. Coach Red Berenson will have another outstanding senior class next season, though. Co- captain forwards Brian Wiseman and Cam Stewart look primed to have career years. Right wing David Oliver has the talent and desire to break Berenson's 31-year-old Michigan single- season goal-scoring record of 43. These three should make the BOS line one of the top combinations in college hockey. "Cam Stewart is really starting to come into his own. He never really got his game together until the second half of this year," Berenson said. "With Wiseman, I think it could be his year. We have four good senior forwards." Goaltender Steve Shields is the top returning netminder in the nation and needs just eight more victories to become the all-time winningest goalie in college hockey. Defenseman Aaron Ward, the highest NHL draft choice in Wolverine history, will be the backbone of a weakened defensive corps and needs to have a career year. Forward Mike Stone will continue to be the hardest worker in the CCHA and will do his job wherever Berenson places him. Backup goaltender Chris Gordon, a starter on almost any other college team, should still be the rock Berenson needs him to be. The junior and sophomore classes next year have their share of quality players as well. Current sophomores Mike Knuble, Rick Willis and Ron Sacka enjoyed improved seasons last year and should continue on an upward trend. Freshmen Steve Halko and Kevin Hilton had outstanding first seasons in the country's toughest conference and will be counted upon heavily. That brings us to incoming players. Although most of the signings will not be announced until' later this week, the grapevine has it that Berenson is bringing in five forwards and two defensemen,; with the possibility of a third blueliner. "We have some offensive finesse, some size, some speed coming in," Berenson said. "You're , not going to replace Roberts, Ouimet and Stiver.: The freshmen will step in and find a role on this team." The complexion of the incoming class, which: looks to be very talented, leads one to believe that: next year's team will be long on goal-scoring and short on defense. Out of five returning;. defensemen on the roster, the team has only two (Ward and Halko) who played on a regular basis this past season. This looks to be the trouble spot Y; for next year, but Berenson has that April @ optimism. "It will be a real opportunity for the young defensemen to step up and be counted," Berenson said. "Ward should be a dominant defenseman. All the way up, he has played behind our other defensemen. It should be his year. "Halko had a tremendous year for a freshman defenseman. (All five defensemen) have proven " they can play. I don't think we'll have any trouble playing six defensemen." It is time for renewal indeed. The Yost ice will be given a rest later this month. Soon after, orientation leaders will begin orienting rosy- cheeked rookies. Shortly after that, sounds of hockey practice will emanate from the bowls of: Yost. Before you know it, the arena will be filled to: capacity for a game against Michigan State. The wheel will continue to spin, pushed by an ever-; changing group of Wolverines. The icemen will } cometh. "I like next year's team already. Your senior year is always your best year. All six of the seniors should have their best year. The senior class, it's going to be their team," Berenson said. "You're as good as your seniors, not your freshmen. It will be hard to be better offensively, and defensively (than last year's team), but I think we'll be similar." +k1 Gift Certificat Available HA RI? V 'S eNs t) I:E11lt)1{N ANN A1lt)1{l 60 Day layaway :\ IN/In r (,I7A?,)iI y American and European Surplus ---. I I I A Outdoor Recreation - Military Shorts " Military Pants " Military Shirts " Military Jackets " Military Boots " Minnetonka " "Timberland "t " Tents " Sleeping Bags " Back Packs : Book Bags " RayBan Sunglasses Casual Shoes Hi Tec Racky Baots Omega Reef Runners " Teva Sandals 1 SMonday: BURGE] T uda 15¢ WIN' Wdnesday: CHILI o 1 Thursday: BEEF on I Friay CHICKI I 1220 S. University R, fries, & soft drink $4.89 GS, $3.25 Pitcher r CHICKEN TACO SALAD $4.89 weck, fries, & soft drink $4.89 EN KABOB, fries, & soft drink $4.89 i 1 1 1 1 I Be a Daily Summer Photographer. Come to the mass meeting tonight at 7:30. Student Publications Building 420 Maynard or call Evan Petrie at 747-2813 or 763-2459 DEARBORN 2050 N. Telegraph Rd. (1/2 Bik. S. ol Ford Road) 313-565-6605 - Open 7 Days a week & most evenings ANN ARBOR 500 E. Liberty {2 Biks. W. of State i 313-994-3572 665-77?7 ----rn_--r---- ml. 17 (r/ \., THERE /S FREE 1/4 POUNDER! SUCH A THING I SELL YOUR BOOKS AT AS A FRED LAN ';"'. N h f . . .. .tl tir\ ...........; ' ail: f.': }:::". }:':':.'.".. .' : t " :::':".:':.:' Michigan Book & Supply AND RECEIVE A COUPON GOOD FOR A FREE 1/4 POUNDER AT THESE 2 McDONALD'S LOCATIONS: 337 Maynard + 1220 S. University a-. I enr° -a' tcc SAP i CnIC1e Mcro edc5 j .I.S .o ace, icro 3 ed pE 3525 33 V ic sd e6 ta iG ekI C k 3trife 3r a0 e 0 o2c aticM2I d ed o L0pE 6' 2 Z'tSMIC ASIOUNDINGlj BAG EY u10N.,,,, I n4 YI F0 VII K a I. '4 -t '4' pp "4 [* OFFEr HIGAN BOOK & SUPPLY ' r a f . a Y _..:~'i1J"~iiJ~TjK n Nan