#- 8C - The ichigan - Faceef9'W-- Monda tober 13, 1997 a Al MondOOctober 13, 1997 -=Face _____ r qw mw } I Toeing the blue line The test of the rest Michigan's defensive unit filled with young, inexpenenced players 40-1 ch. 7, Minn. 4 .2th season, ,,. '' !' '' lop By Sharat Raju Daily Sports Writer Bubba Berenzweig isn't used to being a leader. As a freshman, he followed the exam- ple set by Michigan mainstay Steven Halko. Then, his sophomore season, it was Harold Schock and Blake Sloan. But now the roles are reversed. After seasons of being groomed by some of the top defensemen in the CCHA, Berenzweig is now the teacher, having to help instruct a plethora of youth on the blue line. "I grew up on a team with four juniors my freshman year and four seniors my sophomore year helping me along," Berenzweig said. "Now, I'm the one who's trying to help the new guys along." It's a new experience for Berenzweig. He's won a national championship, two CCHA titles and is the leading defensive point-scorer returning for the Wolverines. But this season might present Berenzweig's most formidable challenge. "This is an opportunity for him to step up and be one of our top defensemen," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. Fortunately for Berenzweig, he does- n't have to do it alone. Senior Chris Fox got the opportunity last season to step on the ice, playing in 32 games. "Chris Fox is doing a real good job," Berenzweig said. "He's the oldest of all of us in terms of rank and class. He speaks up a lot and helps our freshman along in terms of strategic play. " After seeing action in a career-high 32 games last season, Fox will be counted on for a leading role like Berenzweig, not a supporting one. "Fox is a much, much better player than he was when he came here as a freshman," Berenson said. "He's learned a lot. He's kind of expected to be like a coach in the sense that he can help the younger players learn what our defense does." Perhaps one of the biggest keys to the Michigan defensive unit this season is sophomore Sean Peach. Peach played in all but two games last season and will most likely be expected to improve on his breakthrough year. Kevin Magnuson, only appeared in 10 games last season, might also have the opportunity to see increased ice time. Peach's successful freshman season might be an inspiration to the younger defensemen hoping to play a significant role this season for the Wolverines. Mike Van Ryn, the London, Ontario native, already has high expectations, Berenson said. The other newcomers on defense are Scott Crawford, Bob Gassoff and Ann Arbor native Dave Huntzicker. The most questions about this year's Wolverines are asked about the defense because of the abundance of youth. The offensive unit has proven scorers, people who have been to championship country and back like Bill Muckalt and Matt Herr. On defense, however. uncertainty abounds. "I need to get used to all the new fresh- men coming in, Berenzweig said. "All four freshmen are split up with four vet- erans. All of us are in the same situation, getting used to our new partners. We're not really sure what anyone can do." It's certain that throughout the year Berenson will continue to experiment with different sets of defensemen, nor- mally pairing up an upperclassman with a newcomer. So the pressure is on those who were previously in the background to come to the forefront of the hockey scene. But the pressure to step up can be viewed as opportunity, according to Berenson. "It's quite a different role," Berenzweig said. "I realize that I need to pick it up a little more and show these new guys what's it's all about at the col- lege level." '' .. ' Yq ,? R: :da <:' WARREN ZINN/ Daily Minnesota goalie Steve DeBus was a little rusty against Michigan last year, giving up seven goals in the West Regional final. Minnesota loses two top players Open 7pm - 2am 7 days " 19 & up e Roundtree Plaza next to Wal-Ma SARA STILLMAN/Daily Chris Fox enters his senior season as one of Michigan's few tested defensemen. Year Junior Freshman Senior Freshman Player Height Weight Year Dave Huntzicker 6-3 192 Freshman ; ii ,3 ', ,# i3 i 6 Kevin Magnuson Sean Peach Mike Van Ryn 6-1 5-10 193 Sophomore 186 Sophomore 191 Freshman 6-1 Open daily 10 am - 9 pm weekends 10 am - midnight - WE'LL PAY CASH - -FOR YQUR CDs We'll pay $5.00 for these CDs - Puff Daddy - No Way Out Fiona Apple - Tidal Oasis - Be Here Now Beatles - Abbey Road Spice Girls - Spice - Sgt. Pepper Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Someone Like - Magical Mystery Tour Jewel - Pieces of You Jimi Hendrix Sarah McLachlan - any CD - The Ultimate Experience Prodigy - The Fat of The Land - Are You Experienced? Sublime - Sublime Bob Marley - Legend 1203 S. University between Church and S. Forest v (313) 996-9010 ~ UI DAILY SPORTS... WORKING 'ROUND THE CLOCK PRINTING LOWEST PRICES! HIGHEST QUALITY! FASTEST SER VICE!I * 1002 PONTIAC TR. U * 994-1367 There is constant turnover in college sports. Players graduate, and a few depart early to enter the professional ranks. To fill the void left by marquee play- ers, college coaches actively recruit young talent. But not Doug Woog. Unfortunately for Woog, Minnesota's coach, he didn't have the opportunity to plug up the Golden Gophers' vacancies. His two best players left just before the season to play pro hockey. Mike Crowley, two-time All- American and a Hobey Baker finalist last season, left early to play IHL hock- ey. The junior defenseman was named the most valuable player of the WCHA last season after recording 56 points. Crowley was the first defenseman to lead the WCHA in scoring since 1963. "Crowley is such a huge loss, but what are you going to do?" Woog said. "He's such a marvelous player." Erik Rasmussen, the second Gopher to make a last-second departure, was selected seventh in the 1996 NHL Draft. The earliest American-born player cho- sen by the NHL last year, Rasmussen made every indication that he would return for his junior season, but he went to the Buffalo Sabres. "Rasmussen's a big strong guy," Woog said. "We'll miss him, too." The Gophers were ranked fourth nationally before the departure of the two standouts. Now, with this new devel- opment, it remains to be seen how the team will respond. The returning WCHA champions still have some top performers who decided to stick around. Minnesota's leading goal scorer, senior forward Ryan Kraft, returns after scoring 25 goals last season. Offensively, the Gophers have the nec- essary components to light up the score- "Our goaltending should be sound, but we should be a little bit suspect on defense," Woog said. Between the pipes is veteran Steve DeBus. The senior goalie has already etched his name in Minnesota record books as one of the top-five of all time with a career 3.05 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. - Sharat Raju 1~ Yost Arena Public Skating 7 Days a Week With the loss of Crowley on the blue line, the Minnesota defense is hurting. Sophomore Ben Clymer is the only expe- rienced defensemen. Clymer's seven goals and 13 assists last season earned him WCHA All-Rookie team honors. "We'll be younger than I had expected but I think we'll have a pretty speedy team," Woog said. Visit our Pro-Shop & Concession Stand! Mon -Fri. Thursday Saturday Sunday 12-12:50 pm aN su- sI.5 8 -9:50 pm 2- 3:50 pm 7 - 8:50 pm 2 - 3:50 pm Admission: StudentsYoUth/Seniors - $3. UM Staff - $3.50, Adults - $4 Skate Rental: $1.50 (we have HUNDREDS of skates for rent) Call 7644600 far more information. We offer Hockey and Skating Classes! j