Winter break. A time to forget about classes for a while, visit old friends and family back home. A time to relax, watch some TV, kick back and enjoy life.
A time to play hockey. Lots of it.
The Michigan hockey team, like most of the student body, will be traveling over break. But most of the Wolverines' traveling will be done, not to their home towns, but down the street to Yost Ice Arena, and across the state for a few away games.
The Wolverines have a full slate of contests over their "vacation." Before finals get done with, Michigan faces Western Michigan, first Friday night at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, and then Saturday night at home.
Two weeks later, the Wolverines take part in the 33rd Great Lakes Invitational - a tournament they won the last nine years. The GLI will feature St. Lawrence, Michigan State and Michigan Tech, along with the Wolverines.
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| JOHN KRAFT/Daily Michigan freshman defenseman Dave Huntzicker, an Ann Arbor native, invited several of his teammates over to his home over Thanksgiving break and should be doing the same sometime during winter break as well, when Michigan plays six games over the intersession. |
As if that isn't enough, Michigan has a two-game series with Ohio State at Yost, from Jan. 2-3.
When it comes down to it, the Wolverines' break isn't going to be much of a break at all. But although it may be tough for some Wolverines to get a little R&R at home, going home for the holidays won't be tough for one player.
Freshman defenseman Dave Huntzicker is a native of Ann Arbor, graduating from Pioneer High School in 1995 - after which he spent two years playing with the Compuware Ambassadors of the North American Hockey League.
While other Wolverines may not be able to spend much time at home over the next few weeks, Huntzicker may not have much peace and quiet at home, either. Over Thanksgiving break, when Michigan also had games scheduled, Huntzicker's family had some of the Wolverines over for dinner.
And Huntzicker is expecting more company over Winter vacation.
"I did have a few guys over" for Thanksgiving, Huntzicker said. "I know for one, my roommate Mark (Kosick) is going to be spending time with us (over winter break). I'm not sure about the other guys."
Other members of the team who live close to Ann Arbor - like freshman Scott Matzka, from Port Huron - also have teammates home for the holidays.
Huntzicker said his family enjoys hosting his fellow Wolverines.
"They seem to like it," he said. "The guys are really nice when they go over to my house. I tell them to be respectful and stuff, but that's never been a problem.
"It works out nice. The guys get a nice home-cooked meal, and they enjoy that. And my parents enjoy the company."
The Wolverines will need any extra rest they can get with such a busy schedule of games. But Huntzicker said it will be nice to focus on hockey, without worrying about things like school.
Considering that Michigan will have to deal with the CCHA race along with continuing their streak of titles at the GLI, the Wolverines will have enough to do without attending classes.
"We've got two big games against Western coming up this weekend," Huntzicker said. "I'm sure there'll be some pressures building up as we move closer to (the GLI). That's not our main focus right now.
"Being from Ann Arbor, I understand that (the GLI) is a big tournament. I understand that it's been Michigan's tournament for the past nine years. We'd definitely like to continue that and do what we can to come away with it again."
12-10-97
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