The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - Monday, Octoer 4,1993--5 Freshmen show potential to keep Michigan among national elite ti. ::1 t. %s.ti:v ::"i"v:7irv ::": ':' J:}i."y'':'":"::"} .i i... *. X*.... : .. .:y1:. :':::: ": :":" : ;~ .* t1'.'* :::; :t '::::::::^ ':.:"t't ..- :..:::i'." Left Wing Player No. Ht. Wt. Yr. By PAUL BARGER DAILY HOCKEY WRITER All nine of them were nervous and unsure about how they would feel as they stepped on to the ice in front of the crowd at Yost Ice Arena for the first time. All of them were overwhelmed by the sound of "The Victors" as they made their way to the playing surface. All of them were excited to show what they could do outside of the slower-paced practice sessions. Thisnightmeanta lot to the Wolverine freshmen as the annual Blue-White game marked the beginnings of their careers as hockey players at Michigan. This is not just another group of rook- :. ies thatisexpected to bide its time on the bench until the coaches decide it's time to play with the big boys. There are high expectations f N for this group and the coaching staff is counting on a contribution from all of them throughout the 1993-94 campaign. "All nine freshmen will get ice time this season," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They were all high profile players coming in, but it is a big jump to the college game.:I think that can all make an impact.", The newcomers understand the importance of the roles with the Wolverines and are eager to do whatever they can to help the team to victory. With the well-documented departure of many of last season's top players, the fresh- men realize that they have to step up quickly. "I'll do whatever they ask me to do," John Madden said. "Checkinglines, penalty killing, power plays, what- ever will help the team." Madden (forward, Barrie Colts) is joined by Jason Botterill (forward, St. Paul's School), Peter Bourke (defenseman, Grosse Pointe South), Chris Frescoln (defenseman, Detroit Freeze), Mike Legg (forward, Lon- don Nationals), Warren Luhning (forward, Calgary Roy- als), Brendan Morrison (center, Penticton Panthers), Harold Schock (defenseman, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings) and Blake Sloan (defenseman, Boston Jr. Bruins). The success of this young group of men could very well stem from the strength of their unity. In the short period of time that they have known each other they have formed close friendships and can rely on one another on and off the ice. "We live close together and have a lot of classes with each other," Botterill said. "It's pretty special, we all get along really well. We're coming together as a group."I Whiletle closeness of the group may be at the core of their progress during the next four years, sheer talent will be what the fans will witness on the surface. All nine of them have amassed impressive biographies and have already shown that they belong on the squad. Friday night's Blue-White game was a coming out party of sorts for the newcomers. They got their first taste of the Yost experience and the Yost faithful got their first taste of them. "It felt great when we came out and heard 'Hail to the Victors,"'Bourke said. "It was very exciting and the game was very fast paced." Madden, who hails from Barrie, Ontario, was in awe of the 2,225 fans that came to the arena to watch a scrimmage. Imagine what will be running through his mind when 7,000 crowd the rink for the Oct. 30 home opener. "It is probably the most fans I have ever played in front of," he said. "I loved it. I got goose bumps when we came out and the band was playing 'The Victors."' The forward liked the sound of the fabled Michigan fight song so much that he scored two goals and tallied two assists, triggering the pep band into multiple verses of the march. Other contributors were Morrison (1 goal,1 assist), Botterill (1 goal), Legg (2 assists) and Frescoln (1 assist). The freshmen performance compared favorably with that of others who went on to have stellar first seasons. The veterans took notice of the skills and ability of the newest of their teammates. "They did very well," sophomore Ryan Sittler said. "They are all very talented and have a lot of confidence. They took their time and made the right plays." The coaches got a good look at the freshman and seemed pleased with their overall performance. Not only was Berenson scouting his new player's abilities, he was trying to see how they would take to a fast-paced game situation, with a good-sized crowd looking on. "It was their first game in Yost, so to speak, with the crowd," Berenson said. "We like to give them a feel for the mentality of Yost and I thought they handled it pretty well." The team needs everyone to step up their game so it can maintain the level of success the team has enjoyed in recent years. Juniors will have to play like seniors, sophomores like juniors and, of course, freshman like sophomores. If ever a group was up to the task it is this one. One question arises: How will these players adjust to the idea of playing on the third or fourth line when they are used to first line action? The freshmen seem to be prepared for anything and are ready, willing and able to contribute in any way that they can. "If we can't help on the first line, we'll help on the second and third line," Madden said. It is good that the freshmen seem to like "The Victors" so much because they will hear it constantly over the next four years. Group aspirations extend all the way tothe peaky of college hockey, a national championship. Their unity, ability and confidence suggests that these goals are within their reach. Ryan Sittler Mike Stone Rick Willis Anton Fedorov John Madden 17 12 11 14 6-2 200 6-0 185 6-0 190 6-0 195 So. Sr. Jr. -Jr. Fr. 18 5-11 180 Sittler, the seventh pick in the 1992 NHL draft, could be Michigan's highest scoring left winger this year, according to Berenson. Stone is a solid performer at any forward position and may be the conference's best penalty-killer. Center Player Brian Wiseman Kevin Hilton Ron Sacka Brendan Morrison Mike Legg No. Ht. Wt. Yr. 16 5-6 180 10 5-11 170 7 9 15 5-10 5-10 6-0 175 175 175 Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Berenson says Wiseman could be the best player in the CCHA. Wiseman's passing and puck-handling skills will certainly be a strong point for Michigan this season. Hilton should improve upon a solid rookie season. Right Wing Player No. Ht. Wt. Yr. David Oliver Mike Knuble John Arnold Jason Botterill Warren Luhnlng 26 22 5-11 6-3 185 210 20 5-10 ' 192 Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. 19 28 6-3 205 6-2 190 Michigan needs Oliver to score at a rate similar to that of a year ago. Knuble provides offense and can intimidate with Stone. Arnold or Botterill will need to step up and provide quality time. Defense Player No. Ht. Wt. Yr. Tim Hogan Mark Sakala' Alan Sinclair Steven Halko Peter Bourke Chris Frescoin Harold Schock Blake Sloan 23 2 6-0 195' 195 r., r. 3 G-3 220 24 5 4 6-1 185 6-0 185 6-3 190t Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. 6 5-10 175- 27 5-10 185 Defense is Michigan's big question mark. Hogan, Sakala, Sinclair and Halko need to show they're leaders, and the freshmen can't afford to make rookie mistakes. Goalie Player No. Ht. Wt. Yr. Steve Shields Chris Gordon Al Loges 31 35 30 6-3 6-1 210 165 Sr. Sr. Jr. 6-2 185 Shields is closing in on the all-time NCAA career victory mark, and he is one of the best goalies in the country. Gordon and Loges give the Wolverines as much depth at goalie as any team in the nation. 1! 9 3 -9 4 S ch ed u ler.lKJY' J :tt'!h.~. h.rVJ': J:KfJ~.:J:K ::';;:""{:{:,;1 {:{ DOUGLAS KANTER/Dally Wolverine seniors David Oliver and Mike Stone scrap for the puck in Friday's Blue-White game. October 15-16 at Alaska Fairbanks January doesn't want the record to take away from the team." Patience Even if the Wolverines are successful this year -even if they win the national championship - Shields will have to be patient. The defense may be good, but it is inexperienced, and that will show in the early part of the season. "There will be some nights we'll need me a lot and other nights we won't need me as much," Shields said. "We'll have to be patient." BLUE-WHITE Continued from page 1 coach Red Berenson said. "I was wor- ried about our conditioning, but it wasn't too bad." Things got rolling in the third pe- riod with the Blue team scoring the first two goals. Freshmen forwards Jason Botterill and John Madden each scored to put the Blue up 5-3 with 12:44 remaining. Annwernlav ioa1bvMikeKnuble "I guess I should be a little more understanding with it being the first game," Shields said. "We expect a lot out of each other and I expect a lot of myself." The White opened the scoring just 47 seconds into the game. Knuble's shot from the right circle evaded Shields for the game's first goal. 4 The Blue took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission after goals by Mad- den, Ryan Sittler and David Oliver. The White managed the only scoring of the second neriod - goals by 15 21 at Notre Dame Michigan State 29 30 Novemb 5 6 12 13 at Bowling Green Notre Dame:r.:.::::.:<.:::: . .: :.:. r:::; 2 at Michigan ! ber Bowling Gree at Lake Supert0 S at Ohio State at Ferris ate 29 |Notre Dame' at Wes ebruary at Illinois- 4 Kent State Chicago 5 Ferris State State an 19-20 Ohio State 26-27 at CCHA - WCHA 48 19 Miami (Oh.) Michigan State* I w . ww _A MAf--l IAI t