Hockey Showcase to make campus debut

While the rest of the University will be recovering from a gluttonous Thanksgiving, the Michigan hockey team will be getting ready for a feast of its own.

The Wolverines (9-3-1) will take a bite out of its non-conference schedule this weekend when they participate in the fifth-annual College Hockey Showcase. Michigan takes the ice with Minnesota (4-8-0) on Friday at 7 p.m., and faces Wisconsin (7-1-0) on Sunday at 4 p.m - both at Yost Ice Arena.

A change of venues highlights this season's Showcase, as the series shifts to college hockey arenas from the professional sites of the past four seasons.

Michigan State will be hosting two games at Munn Ice Arena in addition to Michigan's two games at Yost.

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily Michigan defenseman Dave Huntzicker and the rest of the Wolverines will be enjoying a holiday weekend of competitive hockey as Minnesota and Wisconsin come to town for the College Hockey Showcase.

The change was agreed upon by all coaches in order to increase the college atmosphere at the games - an element missing during the past four seasons.

"We all feel that on-campus is the way to go," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.

Last year's site, Joe Louis Arena, "wasn't a campus flavor or atmosphere," he added.

With the change, Berenson welcomes the holiday slate of non-conference opponents.

"They're both traditional rivals in hockey as well as Big Ten rivals," Berenson said. "These are the kind of teams you really like to play. It's a test for us."

Three for the road: Berenson has made strides early this season to prepare next year's team by signing three players to letters of intent.

Michigan's newest signees include goalie Josh Blackburn and forwards Mike Comrie and Craig Murray.

Blackburn, a 6-foot, 175-pound netminder, is Michigan's strongest candidate to replace senior Marty Turco in front of the net.

"It looks like he's the No. 1 guy, and he wants to come in and take on that role," Michigan assistant coach Billy Powers said.

"You like that, a goalie who knows there is going to be a lot of pressure - he's ready for that and he wants it."

Comrie seems to be Michigan's strongest signee to this date. A 5-9, 170-pound center, Comrie has been chased by junior hockey teams in Canada since he was 14.

"He's a real complete package, and may be the most sought-after kid in North America this year," Powers said.

Murray, a 6-foot, 175-pound forward, was a player Michigan didn't look at until relatively late in the recruiting process.

Not sure whether Murray fits in at left wing or center, the Wolverines signed him because he was the "next best player available," Powers said.

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