12 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday. September 12, 2000 1L 1l le I111VIfi f 11 V w1I wvv n yn t vv .v.. rl O ...901mmmb- (:)F CHRIS DUPREY MAC,, BY JOE SMITH DAILY SPORTS WRITER ien he was 10 years old, sopho- more Andy Hilbert attended leg- endarv Michigan coach Red Berenson's hockey camp. In awe of the man who had made history in his 17-year NHL career with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues before taking the helm of this alma-mater Wolverines in the 1984 season-- Hilbert posed in a picture with Berenson and had the coach autograph it. "I still have it at home," Hilbert said. Little did he know that nearly a decade later. he would be donning the maize and blue as one of Berenson's warriors, going to battle with other college hockey teams in the quest to win another national title. Although he is recovering from a "nagging wrist injurv" that he had to repair in surgery this past July, Hilbert says he'll be ready for this season to accept an even bigger role than he had last year - when he was third on the team in scoring and emerged as one of the Wolverines' brightest stars. A PERFECT FIT Ever since Berenson caught a glimpse of Hilbert at his annual hockey camp, he knew he saw something special. Michigan's general followed Hilbert's jump through the ranks to X the USA Junior National Team, where he has played the last two seasons. Berenson noticed that out of all the players, some of the greatest in the country -[Hilbert - was the only kid from Michigan on the ice. "We recruited him from day one," Berenson said. "He was the type of player, student, and person that epitomized what we wanted at Michigan. And he has not disappointed any- one." As one of the top recruits in the nation coni- ing into the 1999 season, [filbert could have gone to pretty much any hockey program in a the nation, or even played major juniors. But the center is a native of Howell, just 45 miles north of Ann Arbor, and decided that Michigan had the perfect coach, system and 'location to fulfill his needs. Michigan's "offensive system was verv open and free, which accommodated my style as a plaver," Hilbert said. "Coach Berenson was a big reason why I came here. It was a gut feeling I had, and I also wanted to stay around home so my family could watch me play. My fimily has been such a bir, influenc in my hockey career that I didn't want to take oft and be somewhere where they wouldn't be close tot me. CHANGES Hilbert came in with a big freshman class which needed to produce right off the bat in their initial campaign. The Wolverines lost three defense men shortly before the season began and needed players to step up and pick up the slack. h3erenson also needed someone to play right wing along side star center Mike Conrie. and chose Hilbert to filthe xoid. The problem was Hilbert had never played the position, and had to make the difficult adjustment in learning the diterent responsi- bilities of a winaer. "It's a lot different in the defensix e zone.,, Hilbert said. "A center has to be down low to help the defensemen, while the wingers play the point and make sure the other team's defensemen can't get a good shot ofl But the freshman made the adjustment look easy. ending the season third on the team in scoring with 33 points. This included a key goal in the Wolverines 2-0 victory over Michigan State in Munn Ice Arena, which Berenson described as a "huge turning point in the game and for our program.- IHilbert also won the crucial face-off that led to Geoff Koch's overtime, game-wxinning goal against Colgate in last season's NCA As - his favorite memory of his freshman sea- son. "Hie certainly lived up to all expectations.' Berenson said. "He's a team player and is quiet off the ice. But he's intense. xcry focused, and a real competitor. He plays with a certain abandon and aggressieness, vet is disciplined.'' While his coach praises his perforIance. filbert still feels that he still has a lot to learn and feels he can mprox c oil ill freshmen year. "Last xea was a so-so season for me," hlilbert said. "It Nvas a cood year to start xvith as a freshman, but once voti'ic a sophomore you learn the game more and knox N hxat you have to do. I Iearned some thinEs and hope- fully I can take those steps and be even better." WRIST SHOT After an impressiv e freshman year with the Wolverines, showcasing his skills for the [ nited States Junior National Team this past winter, and fulfilling a lifelong dream by bein drafted by the Boston Bruins (37th ox erall) in the June 2000 N H L Draft - Hilbert finally hit a bump in the road. A nagging wrist injury that had been both- ering hiim cxen before he came to Michigan needed to be fixed this off-season. Hilbert had surgery to replace some scar tissue in his left xwrist two months ago, but has been xworkine hard in rehab ever since to oet back to his true form so he can be back on the ice fur the season exhibition opener against WiI i-ed Laurii-r just 18 days away. "It was getting better but there was a chance I could hurt it acain, " ilbert said. "'Now it's taking care of and better in the lone run." The center has been working out with the, team and Berenson feels he'll be ready to go once the first puck is dropped. "I IC should be fine once wve get back on the ice," said Berenson. K\OxN YOtiR R :i.V With the departure of leading scorer Mike Comrie this past offseason. many Wolverines will be expected to raise their level ofplay and pick up their production to replace the Hobey Baker finalist and his 55 points. This holds true especially fur Ifilbert, who may et the chance to go back to his natural position as center and take Comrie's spot. But with that conies the responsibility ofbeing tar- eted by opponents, as Ifilbert's scorin will " no longer be a surprise to CCHA foes. Berenson agrees that Hilbert will have a bigger role on the - team, but thinks that with the amount of tal- ent at everv pos ition, targeting one person would be unsuccessful. "If we have a balanced team, and I think we will. then there won't be any one petson to focus on," iBerenson said. Hilbert feels that the loss of Comrie will also have an upside. It may create opportuni- ties for other players to step up and take. advantage of their time to shine. Comrie's departure "definitely leaves room for some of the older guys who didn't think thex had a ercat season last year to be unbe- lievable this veal." Hilbert said. "This includes myself. It makes me want to prove that just because Mike Comrie left doesn't mean the team isn't going to do well this year. "WYell"being the operative word, as many think that this years Wolverines have as good of a chance as any to turn some heads in Albany. New York - this year's site of the Frozen Four. "We have a lot of weapons," Hilbert said. I think our team is going to be unbelievable this year and I think we're going to have a real chance to do something special." Many of those weapons include the talent- ed, seven-member senior class. As freshmen, they helped the Wolverines attain the pro- griam's most recent national title in 1998. These upperclassmen took the time before last year's NCAA tournament to talk to the other Wolverines about what it takes to win it all, and the young Hilbert took their words to heart - learning a valuable lesson from his first post-season experience. "Last year when we weren't supposed to do as well as we did and when we went to NCAAs, we kind of got a taste of it,; Hilbert said. "I learned not to take that for granted and make sure if we're there again to put every- thing oii the ]iue so that we can come out on, top" When you see * Lee, thank him for Navarre T te Michigan football team hasn't missed a beat in Drew Ienson's absence - not to say he won't be welcomed back as soon as his broken foot has healed Given his chance, John Navarre has shown every* he has the necessary traits to reassume the role after enson leaves or graduates. He took a few good hits against Rice and managed t pick himself up. He didn't make any overtly foolish decisions. And lie won the two games he was supposed to win. It looks as if' Michigan owes a thank-von to former Northwestern coach Grary Barnett. In a story that's quickly becoming an Ann Arbor legend, Navarre was sc to attend Northwestern when Barnett bolted for Colorado. Navarre canceled his Evanston plans and i mately chose Michigan instead. How, might you ask, will you be able to give Baniet your personal thanks when he's coaching all the way oL in Colorado? Fortunately, Barnett spends quite a bit of time in town at Regents meetings, serving as Universit President Lee Bollinger. Gar Brett Gary ? ollinger has had quite a bit to deal with this week T here's been yet another earthquake in the basketba pr'ogr'am. Kevin Gaines has becii dismiissed frdn thi teani following an alcohol-related iident. Gaames will not suit up fr this year's Wolverines. Gavin Groninger is a ditimateandite to start at one oflti e guard spots. But if he doesn't, Michigan will be starting a pair of freshman guards for the second season in a row. Any way it's sliced, Michigan is short on experienced guards for this season. Starting Maurice Searight and Aver Queen will lead to another season like the last - not because they aren't talented playrs, but because they're freshmen. Too bad Robbie Reid doesn't have another year of -° bihity. Thei again, even if he did, he probably woldn't to come back to Ann Arbor. Playing Nick in the Backs Boys has been too much fun. Robbie Reid Robbie the performer W thout Gaines, last season's co-Most Valuable Player, Ellerbe and his staff will have a tough time in the Big Tei this season. Michigan State and Wisconsin, both Final Four partici- pants last season, return the cores of their teams. Illinois will be back for another "can they break into the upper ecel elon" season. Lo and behold, America's toughest league is ready to reassert itself. Michigan State is the odds-on favorite to win pat all of the Big Ten regular-season title for the third straight season. Surprisingly, the one team that won't be contending for much of anything this season is Purdue, an Elite Eight squad in 2000. Coach Gene Keady lost contributors both at guard (Jaraan Cornell) and at the forward spots (Briani Cardinal and Mike Robinson). Keady is accustomed to being quite a busy man in tt month of March, but that will likely change this seaso Perhaps with his spare time he could resume his ro The Penguin when Batman returns to the air. Food For Thought Peace Movement - Was it Peaceful? In "On Killing," author Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a psychologist } who studied-the emotional costs of having to kill, comments on the effect the protest movement had on the returning American warrior: "Never in American history, perhaps never in all the history of Western Civilization, has an army suffered such an agony of many blows from its own people." Gary Lillie & Assoc., Realtors www.garylillie.com Daily mass meeting tonight at 7 p.m. WH Y H AS T HE UNIVE RSIT Y OF MICHIGAN FAILED ITS STUDENTS'? For some answers see: www.universitysecrets.com Inside sophomore Andy Hilbert ® Played Right Wing last season, alongside Mike Comrie w As freshman Hilbert notched 17 goals and 16 assists placing third on the team in scoring Elected to CCHA All Rookie Team last season In June 2000 at NHL Draft - was selected 37th overall by the Boston Bruins Played for Team USA in last two world Junior Championships ® Native of Howell - attended Ann Arbor Huron his last two years of high school s In December 1999, his third period goal put No. 5 Michigan State away in the Wolverines' 2-0 victory at Munn Ice Arena - Michigan's first in five years. Scored two goals, including the game winner, in Michigan's 6-4 comeback win over Ferris State in February. His perfor- mance earned him Rookie of the Week honors. Won key faceoff in NCAA First round matchup against Colgate, that lead to Scott Matzka's overtime game-win- ning goal - keep- ing the Wolverines season alive. First player to come from US National Team Development Program (Freshman defenseman Mike Komisarek came from the same program) .F...I KickFit Kickboxing Voted by Shape Magazine as one of the Top 10 Workouts! Fall 2000 Sept. 11-Dec.14 nnndm A"glnm Alon RnrIuRIzef Tntal hndh rnnditinninn I U U *-®U1