SPORTS michigiandaiy.com sportsdesk@umich.edu MONDAY JULY 1, 2002 13 Getting the call rysom grabbed by SCalgar at No. 10 n Mike Komisarek (left) has the Canadiens drooling over his physical style of play. r Komisarek still committed to playing for Wolverines By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Editor The Montreal Canadiens fired the first shot in the battle for Michigan defenseman Mike Komisarek. But they might have to bring in the heavy artillery to lure the All-American away from Ann Arbor. The Montreal Gazette, citing anony- mous sources, reported during the NHL Entry Draft last weekend that Komis- arek would forego his final two years at Michigan and sign with the Canadiens. "(The Canadiens) know that Michael wants to be back here" Michigan assis- tant coach Billy Powers said. "They're going to have to change his mind." Powers, who spoke with Komisarek this past Tuesday on the telephone, said the Wolverines' top defenseman is "committed to being here" Powers said he suspects that it was "a little bit of wishful thinking" from the Canadiens and a way for them to begin pressuring Komisarek. Michigan's top goal-scorer and All- American Mike Cammalleri will also decide if he will forego his senior sea- son to play for the Los Angeles Kings. In an interview four weeks ago, Cam- malleri said that his plans haven't changed and that he is still a Wolverine. Komisarek, the Canadiens' first- round selection in last year's draft and the seventh pick overall, and Powers believes the defenseman would be happy to stay at Michigan if "he was left alone." Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the junior is going to feel constant pressure from Montreal. "Hockey is king up there, and I think they want to know what their first- rounders are doing," Powers said. "I'd be lying to you if I didn't think they were talking about him this summer. "It's a dilemma for the kid. That's the team that drafted you, and obviously your goal is to get an opportunity to play at that level, and they're calling. If he can stay strong, I don't think there'll be any issues." Powers said that money will not be an issue for Komisarek because of the NHL's rookie salary cap. Former Wolverine defenseman Jeff Jillson, who let afer his junior season in 2001, had the chance to leave for San Jose after his sophomore season but stayed because he was going to receive the rookie salary cap from the Sharks. This year's cap is set at $1,185,000 and will increase to $1,240,000 next year. The Michigan coaches have warned Komisarek that he could spend next See KOMISAREK, Page 14 By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Editor Before last year, the Michigan hockey team had just two players drafted in the top 10 of the NHL Entry Draft. But the Wolverines have now produced two top-10 picks in as many seasons. Last year, Michigan defenseman Mike Komisarek was taken seventh overall by the Montre- al Canadiens, and last weekend, sophomore forward Eric Nystrom was the selected 10th overall by the Calgary Flames. The selection came as a surprise to Nystrom, who joins a very exclusive club of Michigan players drafted in the top 10. "It was unbelievable, I didn't real- ly know where I was going to go," Nystrom said. "There have been a lot of great players coming through the ranks (at Michigan). And to be amongst them feels great and kind of unbelievable at the same time" Nystrom, who led all Michigan freshmen in scoring last season, had 18 goals and 12 assists in 39 games. Before the draft, Nystrom wvas ranked 13th among North American players eligible for the draft by the NHL Central Scouting Service. This ranking did not include European players, who annually comprise some of the draft's highest picks. Nystrom shocked some when he was the seventh North American player selected, and the second college player taken. "I was very surprised," said Michi- gan sophomore Jason Ryznar, who was drafted by the New Jersey Dev- ils as the first pick of the third round (64th overall). "I had a pretty good idea that he was going in the first round, but I was thinking 18, 19, 20. 1 had no idea he would go so early." One group that was not shocked, was Nystrom's coaches at Michigan. "It didn't surprise us one bit because when you evaluate Eric Nys- trom, it's really diffi- cult to find holes in. his game," Michigan assistant coach Billy Powers said. "(He's) a kid that's 6-foot-2, tough competitive, has good hands and can score goats with good peo- ple. That made him a first- rounder. I think thought he'd play in our league as a third or fourth liner. They didn't think he had the offensive skills he showed this season. He can play on the top line with the top centerman and be an impact player." Aside from his physical upside, Nystrom also brings a mental tough- ness to the game that NHL scouts are looking for. Nystrom's ability to step up at crucial times has been a help to the Wolverines. "When the going got tough, he made things happen," Powers said. "Those are things that really stand out. What does a kid do when the game's DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Eric Nystrom was drafted 10th overall in the NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. on the line? Not only does he show up, but he also shows up as one of the best players on the ice." But even with his recent success at the NHL Entry Draft, Nystrom knows there are no certainties involved with the draft. After what he calls his best season of hockey, Nystrom will have to continue to excel if he wants to advance to the next level. "There are no guarantees in any- thing," Nystrom said. "The reason I got here is the way I play." The Nystrom family is no stranger to the NHL Draft. Eric's father, Bobby Nystrom, was an NHL great for the New York Islanders and was recently named one of the Top 20 Islanders All- Time. Drafed 30 years before his son, the elder Nystrom experienced a slight- ly different draft ordeal than his son. Instead of all the hoopla that surrounds See DRAFT, Page 16 act rrr N ATHIETES TO TRY A NEW SPORT Men's Boxing Club Open For Summer! Training: Tues/Thurs 4-6, Wed 7-9 Where: At the UM Coliseum, 51" and Hill Info: (734) 930-3246 Beginners Welcome Put Some "Punch" In Your Life Yo Limited Delivery Area - COUPON - + FREE DELIVERY I 214" Pizzas With any order over $7.00 $6.49. $1.00 Delivery Charge For orders less than $7.00 additional toppings extra Ssubject to change r,, C3CATERING *EAT-In * TAKE-OBIT........ 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