Personal accolades do not excite Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson, but he has a knack for collecting them.
Earlier this week, Berenson was one of 21 players named to the NCAA's 50th anniversary college hockey championship team. All players named to the team had to have played in an NCAA championship game.
"I don't get carried away with these awards, but it's nice to be remembered," Berenson said. "And I think more than that, it's nice to have some respect from your peers that do the voting."
Berenson was Michigan's captain when the team traveled to Utica, N.Y., for the NCAA playoffs in 1962. Michigan lost its first game to Clarkson, 5-4, but then beat St. Lawrence two days later, 5-1, for third place.
"I don't remember having a great tournament," Berenson said. "(But) I think I had a great career at Michigan. And I think I represented college hockey well as a pro."
Also representing Michigan on the 50th anniversary team were forwards John Matchefts and Tom Rendall. Matchefts was part of Michigan's 1951, '52, and '53 championship teams, and Rendall was part of the '55 and '56 championships.
Keith Magnuson, father of Michigan freshman defenseman Kevin Magnuson, was also named to the team.
"He had a great career at Denver," the younger Magnuson said. "They won the national championship his junior and senior years ('68 and '69), and he was captain of both those teams."
The elder Magnuson, also a defenseman, played with the Chicago Blackhawks for 11 seasons.
Magnuson must have given the Chicago organization some confidence in the ability of college players.
Three current Blackhawks - defenseman Chris Chelios (Wisconsin), forward Tony Amonte (Boston University), and goalie Chris Terreri (Providence) - also made the 50th anniversary team.
Berenson and Magnuson played at a time when it was rare for college players to play professionally.
"Coach Berenson was one of the first," Magnuson said. "When (my father) and Tony Esposito had great rookie seasons with the Blackhawks, it was proven that you could jump right from college to the NHL."
And Magnuson must feel like he's in good hands - of the 21 players named to the 50th anniversary team, one is his father and one is his coach.
"I'm being taken care of by pretty good people," he said.
Icing on the cake for Blake: Michigan defenseman Blake Sloan was awarded The 1997 Hockey Humanitarian Award before Friday's game against Lake Superior.
But he didn't show the Lakers any sympathy.
Sloan was named CCHA Defensive Player of the Week after his physical play and leadership on defense limited Lake Superior to 37 shots in the two-game series.
The senior and assistant captain also had a goal Friday and two assists Saturday.
Get 'em while they're hot: Despite their reputation as being the most dedicated fans on campus, Michigan hockey fans haven't snatched up all of the playoff tickets yet. A limited number of tickets are still available for Michigan's first-round CCHA playoff series at Yost Ice Arena, March 7-8, against Alaska-Fairbanks.
For more information, call the Athletic Ticket Office at (313) 764-0247.
file photo/Daily
Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson was honored earlier this week for his work on the ice instead of his work on the bench. Berenson was elected to the NCAA's 50th anniversary championship team.