a .OMM 0 w w 14B - The Michigan Daily - FACEOFF 2000 - Thursday, October 5, 2000 The main event BLACKBURN Continued from Page 11B had seen on ice. "When they were practicing out there, I was in the training room," he says. "I would come in in the morning. The whole time I was getting ready to come back in January just to make sure that I was in shape" And if there is any way to regain confidence, shutting out the No. 5 team in the country in your first game - back has to be high on the list. The Wolverines, ranked No. 6 at the time, got two goals, only one of which they would need, and the defense held the Spartans to 23 shots. Blackburn did the rest. "I was really nervous;" Blackburn remembers. "I think it just gave me confidence right off the bat and I think that an important part of 'he job is being confident in your play. The guys really stepped it up a notch because it was Michigan State and it was my first game back and no one knew how I was going to play, includ- ing myself" It was that same nervousness that occupied Blackburn's mind in the sum- mer of 1997. After the trip to Ann Arbor, he knew that he wanted to be a Wolverine. Still, the modest Blackburn said he wasn't sure the Wolverines wanted him. Perhaps this goalie was just being a bit too humble. After all, beyond going to Michigan, the NHL's . Phoenix Govotes drafted him with the 114th pick in 1998. Sure enough, Blackburn received the call for which he had been waiting. In November of 1997, during the NCAA's early signing period, the Wolverines announced the signing of goalie Josh Blackburn from Choctaw, Okla. Blackburn had been chosen to receive the torch that Turco would pass. After a national championship season and a year in which Turco broke many of college hockey's most presti- gious records, Blackburn was on his way to Michigan. As the summer's heat drifts away, the brisk air in Yost Arena welcomes the start of a new season. It is now the present day and Blackburn is preparing himself for the second half of his Michigan career. While he won't break Turco's NCAA record 127 victories, his legacy is guar- anteed and his possibilities are endless. "I don't think there's ever been a bet- ter goalie here," assistant captain Dave Huntzicker - who played with Turco during the 1998 national championship season - said of Blackburn. "He's so talented, and he knows what's going on So with two years left to draw him- self an even larger spot in the book of Michigan legends, the quiet Blackburn sets his sights to the maximum height. "I'd like to keep improving every day and get the most out of Michigan - school and hockey-wise - while I'm here," he says. "Hopefully win a national championship. maybe two, and see where it takes me after that." In Berenson's mind, while the NHL might take Blackburn to the summit of fame and glory, he will always remain in Ann Arbor, memorialized by the folklore that .reverberates under the roof of Yost Arena. "He'll go down as one of the great goalies at Michigan," Berenson said r I V 1 Why is TIAA-CREF the #1 choice nationwide? The TIAA-CREF 'aM'b Advantage. "' FRESHMEN Continued from Page 13B have to get used to playing more games, but he also has little margin for error, as he may have to go head-to- head against the opposition's top scor- ing lines in any given game. Burnes and Komisarek have their work cut out for them, but their elder defensive counterparts appear to have a lot of faith in them and don't foresee any major problems. "The transition happens so quick," Huntzicker said. "Once you're on the ice, it's go, go, go, go, and before you know it, it's Christmastime. It's defi- nitely a big adjustment; but the upper- classmen and coaches do a good job of bringing players in and making them understand. You just gotta go and do your best" HERE AND NOW As two blue-chip defensive recruits, Burnes and Komisarek could have chosen to attend virtually any of the Division I hockey powerhouses. No doubt there were many other schools besides Michigan that recruited them, but something drew .them to Ann Arbor, something made them want to put on the maize and blue. "I'd always wanted to go to college." Komisarek said. "When you're a little kid, it was always a dream to get a scholarship and go to a big-time pro- gram, and it doesn't get any better than Michigan. The rink, the atmosphere, the games, everything is just great here." Now, the dream is a reality. Tomorrow night at Yost Ice Arena, Burnes and Komisarek will suit up for their first official game as members of the Michigan hockey team, in the opening round of the Ice Breaker Cup against Colgate. To say that the two youngsters will have butterflies in their stomachs would be an understatement. "When I hear the fight song for the first time, it's just gonna be electric" Burnes said. "I committed last .uly to come here, and ever since then, the moment I've been thinking of is just when I step on theice for the first time. Looking down and having the big M' on your chest, and the wings on your helmet. it's just going to be unbeliev-. able." All athletes want to be remembered for something, whether it is for indi- vidual achievements or for team accomplishments. For Burnes and Komisarek, the opportunity to make memories is just beginning. Over the next four years, these two players will have the chance to carve out special niches in the annals of. Michigan hockey, so that in the future, when someone brings up the names "Mike Komisarek" and "Andy Burnes," a smile will crease their face. "I'd like to be known as someone who came to every game and gave it his all," Burnes said. "Someone who did everything he could for the team and brought good things to each game." "I want to be known as someone who worked hard and left nothing in the tank," Komisarek added. "Someone who played hard every shift, every game, no matter what the outcome, who did whatever it took to win." 3 Bob Gassoff Height: Weight: 5-11 195 Class: Home: Senior St. 4 Louis, Mo. Defenseman 8 Mike Komisarek Height: t Weight: 6-4 225 Class: Home: Freshman Islip Terrace, N.Y. 0Defenseman 13 Mike Cammalleri Height: Weight: 510 185 Class: Home: Sophomore chmond Ontario Center 21 Josh Langfeld Height:Weigh 6-3 220 Class: -Home: Senior Coon Rapids, Minn. Right wing 26 Jed Ortmeyer Height: Weight: 6-1 15 Class: Home: Sophomore Omaha, SwNeb.i aoRight wing 14 Height: 6-0 Class: Junior I Craig Murray Weight: 185 Home: Penticton, CBritrnish Left wing 4 Andy Burnes Height: Weight: &-0 ;195 Class: Home: Freshman Battle " Creek O Defenseman 9 Mark Kosick Height: Weight: 6-0 190 Class: Home: Senior Victoria, British Columbia Training at the Yost Gym 5 JeffJillson Height: Weight: 6-3 225 Class: Home: Junior North Smithfield, Defenseman 10 Scott Matzka (A) Height: Weight: 6-0 205 Class: Home: Senior Port Huron Right wing 15 Jay Vancik Height: Weight: 212 Class: Home: Junior Medina, Ohio Defenseman 23 Mike Roemensky Height: Weight: 5-11, 190 Cass: Home: ophomore White Lake 0 Defenseman 28 John Shouneyia Height: Weight: 5-9 175 Class:or Home:l Sophomore loomfield Hills Center The Michigan Daily - FACEOFF 20 6 Rob Kohen Height: Weight: 6-3 195 Class: Home: Junior loomfiel Hills Forward 11 Joe Kautz Height: Weight: 6O0 195 Class: Home: Freshman Des 4 Plaines, Il l Right wing 18 Geoff Koch (C) Height: Weight: 6-2 210 Class: Home: Senior-Exeter N.H. Left wing :%o Year in and year out, employees at education and research institutions have turned to TIAA-CREF. And for good reasons: " Easy diversification among a range of expertly managed funds " A solid history of performance and exceptional personal service - " A strong commitment to low expenses * Plus, a full range of flexible retirement income options For decades, TIAA-CREF has helped professors and staff at over 9,000 campuses across the country invest for- and enjoy-successful retirements. Choosing your retirement plaoprovider is simple. Go with the leader: TIAA-CREF. THE TIAA-CREF ADVANTAGE Investment Expertise Low Expenses Customized Payment Options Expert Guidance 22 Bill Trainor Height: Weight: 6-0 185 Class: Home: Senior Canton Left wing 27 Dave Huntzicker () Height: Weight: 6-3 4205 Class: Home: Senior 4 Ann Arbor Defenseman 24 David Wyzgowski Height: Weight: Hei2t:200 &-2 Class: ,Home: Class.North Freshman Ntrt, Street, 4 Mi. Left wing 29 Josh Blackburn Height: Weight: 6.1 195 Class: Home: Junor Choctaw, Okla. Gvr" oaltender Longtime 'M' coaches look for third title in five years i By Ryan C. Moloney Daily Sports Writer A Ensuring the future 1.800.842.2776 for those who shape it.'- ___________ www.tiaa-cref.org For more complete information on our securities products, please call 1.800.842.2733, ext. 5509, to request prospectuses. Read them carefully before you invest. * TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional Services, Inc. distributes the CREF and TIAA Real Estate variable annuities. - Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc. distributes the Personal Annuities variable annuity component, mutual funds and tuition savings agreements. - TIAA and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co., New York, NY, issue insurance and annuities. " TIAA-CREF Trust Company, FSB provides trust services. - Investment products are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank guaranteed. 0 2000 TIAA-CREF 08/03 During the 1990s the Michigan hock- ey team won two NCAA titles, four CCHA championships and seven Great Lakes Invitational trophies. The players in the maize and blue sweaters have come and gone, much like the designs of the jerseys them- selves. The constant in all of the success lies in the stability behind the-bench. Even the most pedestrian of Michigan fans knows all about the leg- endary Red Berenson, who took the reigns of a floundering program in 1984 and returned it to national prominence. But few understand the contributions of Berenson's staff - associate head coach Mel Pearson and assistant coach Billy Powers. Between the three, there is more than 46 years of college coach- ing experience. Berenson, of course, was a two-time All-American at Michigan in 1961 and '62 before graduating and moving on to the NHL. Because of his NHL success, in addi- tion to his legendary status among the college coaching contingent, Berenson's name will remain synony- mous with Michigan hockey for years after he decides to hang it up. Pearson begins his 13th season with the Michigan program after spending his first six years in college coaching as an assistant at his alma mater, Michigan Tech, Even with all of that experience, coaching in the college hockey game is anything but predictable for him. "Kids change a little and the game changes a little bit, so you are always learning in this game," Pearson said. "If you're not, you are going backwards." With four new freshmen in the mi Pearson looks forward to the challeng of meshing the old with new. "Any year you get new players, it's new beginning," he said. "So l'i always anxious to go out there and woi with the new kids as well as the olds kids because they've matured." Powers played three years : Michigan. After graduating in 198E Powers became a graduate assista until leaving to become an assistant Illinois-Chicago in 1990. In 1992, Powers returned to assum his current job as an assistant.