Michigan freshmen look for help to avoid NCAA jitters

A funny thing happened when the Michigan hockey team traveled to Albany to play in the 1992 NCAA semifinals. Well, maybe it wasn't all that funny at the time .

"I remember the first year we went to Albany in the Final Four," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Our whole team was in awe. They were just so happy to be there. We were the best team there, and we didn't know it. And we didn't show it."

Michigan may not be the best team in the NCAA Tournament this year, but intimidation could still be a factor Friday when the Wolverines play Princeton in the opening round of the NCAAs.

Most of the Wolverines have previous experience in the national tournament, but for Michigan's nine freshmen, NCAA tourney competition is unchartered territory.

"It's kind of early in the week, but I bet by Friday evening it'll start getting to me," Michigan freshman defenseman Dave Huntzicker said. "So, we'll see. Hopefully it won't be too bad."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Despite entering his first NCAA West Regional, Josh Langfeld and the other Michigan freshmen are eager to get the games underway. To calm the rookies' fears about Friday's opening-round match with Princeton, the upperclassmen have taken the youngsters out to dinner.

Michigan's seniors are doing their best to make sure the freshmen are prepared for the increased level of competition. Aside from advice, they've been taking the rookies out to dinner this week to help them ease into the tournament environment.

"The other guys have been taking us out to dinner," freshman forward Josh Langfeld said. "We always talked about it as a team. It's a big part of our season, and we've all been planning for it. We don't want to lose by a little mistake. If we work hard, everything will happen."

Aside from support from seniors like Bill Muckalt, Matt Herr and Marty Turco, some old familiar names have also returned to help out. Players on Michigan teams of the past have made visits this past week to talk to the freshmen about the importance of this weekend.

Former Michigan defenseman "Blake Sloan came up and talked to us a couple days ago," freshman defenseman Mike Van Ryn said. "He talked to us. He's been through four NCAA Tournaments and three Final Fours. He's experienced, and he told us what to expect - what it takes to get there."

At the same time, it's not as if this weekend will be the first taste of college hockey for the freshmen. Having played in the CCHA Tournament just last week, the rookies aren't exactly rookies anymore.

"I think we gained a lot of experience, especially in the three game Notre Dame (CCHA) series, about how playoff hockey is," freshman defenseman Bob Gassoff said. "And the freshmen have been called upon quite a bit this year, especially with the injuries. We should be ready to go by Friday."

03-25-98