edesday, August 6, 199 - The Michigan Daliy - 5 New 'M' hockey schedule should prove challenging 1997-98 Michigan Hockey Schedule Date Opponent Oct. 4 Blue/White game Oct. 10 Minnesota' Oct. 12 Toronto Oct. 17-18 Colgate Oct. 25 Michigan State Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Alaska-Fairbanks Nov. 7-8 Northern Michigan Nov. 14 Ferris State Nov. 16 Ferris State2 Nov. 21 Bowling Green Nov. 23 Ohio State Nov. 28 Minnesota3 Nov. 30 Wisconsin3 Dec. 5 Lake Superior Dec. 12 Western Michigan2 Dec. 13 Western Michigan Dec. 27 St. Lawrence4 Dec. 28 Michigan State or Michigan Tech4 Jan. 2-3 Ohio State Jan. 9 Bowling Green Date Opponent Jan. 10 Western Michigan Jan. 17 Alaska-Fairbanks Jan. 23-24 Miami (Ohio) Jan. 30 Notre Dame Jan. 31 Notre Dame Feb. 7 Lake Superior Feb.13 Miami (Ohio) Feb. 14 Northern Michigan Feb. 20 Michigan State Feb. 21 Michigan States Feb. 27 Ferris State Feb. 28 Lake Superior March 6 Bowling Green March 7 Notre Dame March 13-15 CCHA first-round Home games in bold 1- Hail o Fame game, Target Center, Minneapors 2- Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids a- coilege Hockey snowcase 4- Great Lakes invitational-Joe Louis Arena 5- Joe Louis Arena, Detroit By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Editor Billy Powers has seen this before. When glancing at the Michigan hock- ey regular-season schedule for the upcoming campaign, the Michigan assistant flashes back to the past. It was another time - four seasons ago - when the situation was the same but the names were different. Powers sees similarities between the class just departed from Michigan and the one that is about to enroll. "If you go back four years ago when (Brendan) Morrison's class came in, it wasn't much different," he said. The class of 1997 faced top talent all season long during its freshman year, and this season should follow suit. The schedule opens with Michigan in an unfamiliar venue - theTarget Center in Minneapolis. The contest will pit the Wolverines against Minnesota in the Hall of Fame game opening the regular season. The Gophers, who could open the reg- ular season ranked No. 1 in the polls, can face Michigan because the contest is exempt from the NCAA regular-season maximum of games. "It was a pleasant surprise to get invit- ed by Minnesota," Powers said. "At the Hobey Baker dinner, (Minnesota coach) Doug Woog mentioned the idea to (Michigan coach) Red Berenson. And he said they'd love to have us." So it was done. The match is the first of many high- lights among non-CCHA games. Both of the in-season tournaments Michigan played last year- the College Hockey Showcase and the Great Lakes Invitational - once again appear on this season's slate. In the four-year history of the Showcase, the competition has rotated between the large venues of Detroit, Minneapolis and Milwaukee - close to the teams involved (Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin). The Showcase contract was extended to campus sites beginning this season when Yost Ice Arena will host on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. Michigan, winner of the Great Lakes Invitational for the past nine seasons, will return for another defense of the title Dec. 27-28 at Joe Louis Arena. The most important tournament, how- ever, begins March 13 as Michigan con- tinues its defense of its CCHA title in the conference playoffs. After last season, which saw a school- record 35 victories, a fourth consecutive CCHA championship and a trip to tte NCAA semifinals, the task appears daunting. But Powers said this schedule shows Michigan's drive to play the best. "We'll take positives from anything," he said. "We accept any challenge. Michigan always faces a tough schedule." Despite the relative inexperience of the Wolverines, Powers realizes how important the difficult games are to the new players. "This is why they came to Michigan, to play in games like this" he said. "There's no question we're excited." Former Wolverines return for reunion ALUMNI Continued from Page 13 Wolverines. And the genius behind this summer soiree? None other than the coach himself. "I just wanted to add to the golf weekend," Berenson said, referring to the annual Michigan hockey golf tour- namenf played last Saturday. "Guys come from a long way and make it a real special point for the golf weekend. I wanted to give them more. I thought, what the heck, let's give them a hock- ey game." So the phone calls went out to the Michigan alumi, and instead of rolling into town with just their graphite sticks in a leather golf bag, each player also brought his wooden stick, nylon pants and plastic helmet. "The thing I like about it is the enthusiasm of guys like Wiseman and Shields and Knuble," Berenson said. "They want to come back and play." And why not? All three helped create the atmos- phere leading to the program's 1996 national championship. Each left his mark on the Michigan record books. This was their program, built through hard work, grit and teamwork, making this reunion so special. "This is one of the only chances all of us get to be together," Knuble said. "It is a great weekend to see every- body and have a great time." Despite hectic schedules following the Stanley Cup championship, both Knuble and Aaron Ward, players for the Detroit Red Wings last season, made it back to Ann Arbor for the occasion. "I've had a busy summer, but this was one of the first things I put on my schedule," Knuble said. As for the game itself, the players were divided up as older players like Cam Stewart of the Boston Bruins mixed with the current talent - Michigan captain Matt Herr and goalie Marty Turco - to make the event live- ly, yet competitive. But as intense as the contest became, proper perspective was main- tained among'the opponents. Shields, who had his first experi- ence in the NHL limelight during last season's NEIL playoffs, had been on a break f-rom hockey until the alumni game. "This was my first time (skating this summer)," he said. "It showed. I made a few saves, settled down (but) was fooling around a little bit. "It wasn't serious, and the guys are here to have a good time." . The former Wolverines' extensive interest in the event necessitated two games on Friday evening - one for the alumni under 35 and one for those over 35. Donning a bright yellow jersey bearing the words "Red Berenson's Hockey Camp" printed across his chest, Berenson and his squad took the ice following the under-35 game. Despite being one of the oldest play- ers on the ice, the coach still had his competitive fire burning. He skated with the intent and determination he was known for in his playing days. But Berenson's main focus was on the younger players and the years they spent in Ann Arbor. "I just want them to continue to enjoy the experience- they had at Michigan," Berenson said. "It has nothing to do with the future of the program. When the players come back and have a good time, that makes it special for the kids who are here. "Your experience at Michigan does- n't end when you graduate." That connection drew the players back to lace the skates up once more. As for the future, Berenson plans to continue the game. "I thought we'll go from there," Berenson said. "We may end up adding something onto this." As if hockey in the summer isn't original enough. Going back in time Players participating in the 35- and-under alumni game MARGARET MYERS/Daily After proposing the first Michigan hock- . Jan's Tropical Fish T. ey alumni game, current Michigan coach 2i and former Wolverine Red BerensOn 29glotakwh full-lighted hood donned his equipment. He skated in the $34.95 35-and-over game, showcasing the skills 50 gallon tank with twin full-lighted horwa that made him a hockey legend. $54.95 THURS_ FRS S HIT.