The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 4, 2003 -- 11 HENSICK Continued from Page 10 top ones a chance to come to Ann Arbor for a try-out. From those select 40, the team is formed. "I went to the try-out and didn't expect much," Hensick said. "I didn't know where I stood against kids around the nation.' It turns out he had little to worry about, and was offered a spot on the Under-17 team. Little did the coach- es know the kid with low expecta- tions would become the team's biggest offensive force. Hensick led the squad with 25 goals and 55 points. The coaches were so impressed they offered him a spot on the Under-18 team without a try-out. Again, they were not disappointed. "I did pretty well in the program, so I'm happy for that," Hensick said. That's an understatement. This past season, Hensick played in all 58 games for the program, scoring 30 goals and 61 points - nearly double the next highest point scorer on his team. The team plays against some of the top collegiate programs in the nation, making the feat even more impressive. Michigan was one of the teams that Hensick faced last year, and his squad got a dose of reality as it was handled easily, losing 8-2. "I only played about five minutes in that game," a dejected Hensick said. "I hurt my wrist in one of my first shifts." Despite barely seeing Hensick play in the game, the Michigan coaching staff was still confident he was right for the program. The Wolverines are quite familiar with the Under-18 team as they face the talented youth team annually. "We've had a lot of successful play- ers from that program," associate head coach Mel Pearson said. For example, former Wolverine Andy Hilbert, also from Hensick's hometown of Howell, Mich., was a member of the Under-18 program and now plays in the JACKSON Continued from Page 10 But we don't know Marlin Jackson. We know No. 3. And for that matter, what made us think that we ever knew Jackson or any other Wolverine foot- ball player? Each time this happens, we are shocked. How could he do this (to us)? And Carr releases that trusty old statement that he has on file: "Allegations are serious. No rush to judgment. The facts will be revealed. Judgment will be made based on those facts." Copy. Paste. Send. Sit and wait. And don't get me wrong, Carr is in a toughie. Even though no one on State Street would ever admit it, there's that whole beating Ohio State thing to worry about. And I know that's what you are thinking about. Those Buckeyes swinging their huge scarlet and gray flag in the visiting end zone, celebrating their third-straight win over That School Up North. Ooooh, sends shivers up your spine doesn't it. I read a funny, yet predictable quote on a Michigan fan message board: "The victim must not be a Michigan football fan. If Marlin NHL for the Boston Bruins. Hensick's continued stellar play throughout the season led him to signa letter of intent to play for Michigan this upcoming season. There was one small catch - he was a junior in high school. Dawning the Maize and Blue is a big jump for someone who has just received his driver's license. "When you're 15 and sitting in Red Berenson's office with your mom and dad as he offers you a full scholarship to one of the premier college hockey programs in the nation, it's a little intim- idating and a weird experience," Hen- sick said. "I told them I wanted to look around, but I was only 15." At that point, Hensick was faced with another tough decision: enjoy his senior year in high school or play collegiate hockey. Following the trail blazed by his Under-17 teammate and current Wolverine Al Montoya, he decided to leave early. "Sometimes I look back and ask, 'Why am I graduating early from high school to play hockey at U-M? I'm missing my senior year of high school, which is supposed to be the best time of your life,"' Hensick said. "But to me, my passion is hockey, and I love to play. If I have to give up my social life to play, then I'll do it." Sacrificing his social life was nothing new; the extensive and lengthy road trips forced Hensick to miss out on some of the staples of high school. "Most of the guys on my team did- n't get to go to prom and football games on Friday nights; we're on the road, traveling on a bus to who- knows-where to play the next game," Hensick said with a chuckle. "You have to give something up to get something in return." After seeing the success of Montoya last season, Pearson is confident Hen- sick can handle the challenge of balanc- ing school with hockey. "A lot of times what you find are kids that are ready athletically, but not ready to handle it academically," Pearson said. "Most of them can handle the athletic, so usually there are problems academi- cally. But Hensick has a level of maturi- ty to handle the extra academic load." For Hensick, the grind of road trips was easy to trade in for college hockey - the question was where he wanted to play. As a Howell native, Hensick knows all too well about the intense col- lege rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State. Perhaps to the shock of some Wolverine faithful, East Lansing was his original choice. "I was a Michigan State fan growing up," Hensick said. "I wanted to go there when I was akid." But to the delight of Michigan fans, he chose the Maize and Blue instead. He offers several reasons for his choice, mostly focusing on State's emphasis on defense. "Their style of hockey isn't for me," Hensick said. "I'm pretty much an offen- sive threat, and Michigan State likes to play defensive hockey. To me, that would corrupt my style of play and wouldn't enhance my game. I wouldn't develop as well if I went to Michigan State." In addition to helping his develop- ment as a player, Michigan also pro- vides a great academic environment for him. He hopes to enter Michigan's pres- tigious business school some day. He knows it will be tough to balance hock- ey and B-school classes, but as he demonstrated in high school, he's up to the challenge. "I had a 3.7 cumulative in high school," Hensick says proudly. "In the last two years, I've been on the road probably more than I'll be on the road this year." And when he's not on the road, he'll have the fortune of playing on the friendly side of the Yost Ice Arena crowd rather than opposing it. He knows how much of an edge it can be, having already played against the hos- tile crowd for the U.S. team. "It's hell to play against," Hensick said. "It's different than.any other arena you're going to go to in the nation. I played 24 college.teams last year and six rated in the top 10. I've been in some binds that have been pretty loud and noisy, but nothing compared to Yost." Now that he doesn't need to worry about upsetting the Yost faithful, Hen- sick looks to find his niche in the pro- gram. Although the team hasn't had any real practices yet, the coaches are excit- ed about the possibilities of adding a dynamic offensive threat. "T.J. is the kind of player who makes those around him better," Pearson said. "We'd like toput him ina role where he can do that. We see him as a powermlav guy and a points guy - scoring goals and assists." Head coach Red Berenson also feels that Hensick is a star in the making. "We think we've got a great young prospect in T.J. Hensick, who's one of those players who could be special," Berenson said earlier this season. "He's very skilled and very creative." A vigorous work ethic has been the benchmark of Hensick's hockey career, and has produced strong results so far. And while it may not work out for most people, taking the harder path has been his road to success Jackson hit me over the head with a bottle, I'd get up and ask him to sign it." Since when do we expect a 20-year- old kid to sit above the law because he plays college football? The thing that irks me here is that most of us are not seeking what is important - the truth. If Jackson did what he is accused of, he should not play for Michigan. I don't care what his options are for getting a lesser sentence. If Jackson didn't do it and this 26-year-old man misidentified him, then obviously Jackson's name should be dragged out of the mud and cleaned until it's COLD SORES? Before LYCALL OINTMENT, all the drug store had for cold sores were palliatives tosoothe and coat,or local anesthetics to reduce the pain while the unsightly cold sore ran its course of a week or wore. Apply LYCALL OINTMENT at the irst tingle, and it may not break out at all. Or if it has, LYCALL OINTMENT relieves the discomfort while it shortens the course of the outbreak. Ask at VILLAGE APOTHECARY 1112 S. University Satisfaction Guaranteed sparkly white. Either he did it, and he is kicked off the team, or he didn't, and he plays. Period. No "Well, he pleaded guilty, so he can still play." I don't want to hear that anymore. So, let's seek the truth. Can we han- dle it? I think we can. It's the "judgment" I'm afraid of. J Brady McCollough can be reached at bradymcc@umich.edu. Please call Metro Connection Airport Service 4- Special Price $39 for UofM students, Ann Arbor Residents and Corporate Accounts We provide luxury Lincoln Town Cars at taxi prices. The same rate applies for one to four people and we do not charge a waiting fee at the airport. __O We welcome all accounts. Please call for reservations. . (734) 347-4007 or 1-888-706-8080 All Major Credit Cards Accepted: Visa - MasterCard - AmericanExpress