0 0 S 0 cmk with Freshman Andrew Cogliano didn't give up when he was held score- less in the first three games of the season. And with his sights set on a national champion- ship, Cogliano wants to stay at Michigan for all four years. By James V. Dowd Daily Sports Writer Photos by Rodrigo Gaya and Mike Huslebus II g t Jin Maize and Blue was tougher to decipher than the reasoning behind a Dr. Seuss book. After the freshman notched 102 points in 49 Ontario Pro- vincial Junior Hockey League games last year, he couldn't quite figure out why he couldn't put the puck in the back of the net in Ann Arbor. So before the Wolverines faced off with Mer- rimack in their fourth game of the year, Cogli- ano received a special delivery - the stick he used in juniors, an Easton Synergy with a red bottom. It wasn't a far cry from the Easton Synergy with a blue bottom that he had been using at Michigan up until that point. But magically, the goals and points started coming, starting with two that afternoon. "I think it's just a psychological thing," Cogliano said. "Maybe just try a new thing. A lot of hockey players do that when things aren't going that well. I tried to switch things up, and it worked out" These days, it doesn't matter what stick is in the Woodbridge, Ont., native's hand - he has compiled a six-game scoring streak, knocking in 7 goals and dishing out 8 assists for 15 points over that span. "In the first few games, I was try- ing too hard," Cogliano said. "But then I settled down a bit and got accustomed to what I did before. When I did that, I started to find my touch again." A scorer's touch doesn't come from a new stick or a change in luck, it comes from hard work and finely tuned skills - both of which have helped Cogliano become one of Michigan's leading scorers. much better," Michigan captain Andrew Ebbett said. "When you get a chance, you just have to get a quick shot. We have three great goalies out here every day, so he's had a good chance to work on it." Seeing that the goaltenders had his number in both practice and his three scoreless games, Cogliano set out to improve with each opportunity he had to skate in practice. "I'm working extra hard during and after practice on it," Cogliano said. "I push myself to score on every shot when I do shoot. I'm just trying to improve it for the game." In the Merrimack game, Cogliano's efforts finally paid off, when he found the back of the net for the first time in a Michi- gan uniform. The puck came to him in the right circle, and he one-timed it past Warriors' goaltender Jim Healy before Healy knew what had happened. "I think I was both excited and relieved (to score that first goal)," Cogliano said. "I just saw the puck hitting the net and it was a relief to know that it went in. Hearing the place go crazy and hearing the fans go crazy was a good feeling. You defi- nitely keep that in your memory for the rest of your life." When Cogliano was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers with the 25th overall pick in this past summer's NHL Entry Draft, they knew he had the speed to be a dangerous player. Now that he has further developed his shot while playing against elite college goaltenders, Cogliano has a new weapon in his arsenal. If he had jumped into Major Junior hockey - which features a completely different environment - he may never have devel- oped such a blazing shot. The big decision Growing up in Ontario, every young, elite hockey player is pushed to aim for the Canadian Major Junior hockey leagues like the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Because the American college game doesn't receive the same exposure on television and in the media, many play- ers forgo the opportunity to play NCAA hockey and receive an education. But for Cogliano, the college game was a better fit. "A lot of people in Canada don't really know the college game;" Ebbett, a Vernon, B.C. native, said. "You don't get a lot of games televised up there. The Major Juniors are where you've been told you should go since you were 12 or 13 years old. It's a faster game, and it's better suited for smaller guys like Cogliano and I - we can use our speed here." For Cogliano, some of the selling points for Michigan were the environment at Yost Ice Arena and in Ann Arbor. Even when OHL teams began calling him before their annual draft, he never wavered in his decision to join the Wolverines. "Ever since I came down to see Michigan play, it was the atmosphere and the school that caught my attention," Cogliano said. "Right from the beginning, when I was 15 years old, I wanted to come to Michigan. I played juniors for two years and then came down here. I kept my word and didn't really think about the OHL too much." Another advantage of coming to Michigan was the educa- tion that Cogliano knew he would receive. "I'm taking sports management classes, and I'm hoping to major in that," Cogliano said. "School is going pretty well right now, and I'm look- ing to stay in school for four years. Education is a big part of my life. Hopefully, I can finish my degree and finally major gliano has in sports manage- ment." Points hitting the ice every day. "I've been thinking about what else I would do," Cogliano said. "I look at a lot of students and they come here and just go to school. It's weird to think about that since hockey has been such a big part of my life. I really don't know what I'd be doing without hockey. I think I'd take the same courses since sports interest me, but I definitely enjoy being an athlete and playing hockey." With dreams of a national championship, earning a degree and eventually suiting up in the NHL, Cogliano certainly has his hands full with opportunities for growth during the next four years. And he never doubted Ann Arbor was the right place to work toward his goals. Even ifthe enthusiasm pionship, Cogliano's play his first months, giving h Edmonton down the road "(The Oilers') game is fit in well," Cogliano saic better. Hopefully I can be for four years. That's why that and that's what I'm ko The Edmonton organ playing for Michigan, Cc "I haven't really talked "They will come down an in contact that much. The Michigan." Because the college ga this year's NHL rule chan he gains from playing al top level. "I was really excited te because it definitely ope Cogliano said. "You cans are part of the play." Fantastic freshmen How Cogliano compares to recent freshmen: Shooting star When Cogliano arrived at Michigan, one of his most noticeable flaws was his shot. In practice, Cogliano would fly around teammates, find the open space and create the shot. But the goalten- Year Player G A 1998-99 Mike Comrie 17 22 2002-03 Jeff Tambellini 25 13 2003-04 T.J. Hensick 11 30 2004-05 Chad Kolarik 15 16 2005-OS Andrew Cogliano *projected 28 32 P Already a veteran Knowing that he has Michigan, Cogliano pla analyzing his faults like a freshman. Now that he he best six game scoring st intensity - an asset esse "I just need to play k "Sometimes during gain to keep up that intensity After improving his sl to establish a track recc improvement. Ebbett sai less pressure on himself the season. "He's just not worryir p Ebbett said. "He's focuse 39 the races to the puck. He he gets the chance he put 38 Ebbett also credits Cc 41 prevents him from gettir "(Cogliano) is just at 31 "You could say that we'i 60 relaxed. We give him a] a relaxed guy." Aside from the lessor veteran-esque analysis o at upcoming opponents. gliano how to counter an oppc 's con- makes sure that he know yam. Heading into next wee gliano Cogliano has already 1 locker about playing on the roa r guys "The first night (a 4-2 t they for me and the rest of th initely play a road game like th my eyes to see the leagu ao pro- second night we calmed e top. to play." ubbing Cogliano also noticed of fun Olympic-sized ice sheet cal college rink. He plan )hnson -just as he did in Fairb erines, "I really enjoy playir for the speed," Cogliano said. "] possible. I know Northe: re they I'm looking forward to t at con- With his hot hand and tt said. prised if ut how )lay in Breaking Out After suffering through a tough first three games, Cog become one of Michigan's biggest scoring threats: Game Goals Assists The right decision? Hoping to leave with an NCAA Championship, Co has his sights set high for his time in Ann Arbor. And he vinced that this year's team has a shot to achieve that dre "Our league is particularly better this year," Cod said. "So we will be prepared and the guys in the1 room know we can win. You can see it in the olde like Ebbett and (senior Brandon) Kaleniecki - tha want to win a national championship. They are def leading us in the right direction." Ebbett said he believes the freshmen such as Coglian vide the energy necessary to propel the Wolverines to th "The enthusiasm that the young guys have is just n off on the older guys," Ebbett said. "We're having a lot right now." Because players like Cogliano and freshman Jack Jc committed several years before joining the Wolv Ebbett believes they have developed a passion program that translates onto the ice. "The love that they've had even befo arrive at Michigan has been a gre tribution to the team," Ebbe "Cogliano told me abo he watched us p the Frozen Quinniplac 0 0 0 Quinniplac 0 0 0 Boston College 0 0 0 Merrimack 2 2 4 Michigan State 1 1 2 Alaska-Fairbanks 1 1 2 Alaska-Fairbanks 0 1 1 Notre Dame 2 2 4 Notre Dame 1 1 2 Total l7 goals (T4st) *Bold indicates home game 8a~I~s 4t 1 o~t 2