Red's army returns

Practice for title defense begins

By David DenHerder
Daily Sports Writer

Red Berenson and his staff finally hit the ice yesterday, rejoining the defending champs at Yost Arena after a summer of training, skating and celebrating.

Following a week of captain's conditioning practice, the Wolverines held their first official workout of the season.

"When coach (Berenson) gets on the ice, you can tell," Michigan tri-captain Bubba Berenzweig said. "Everyone wants to start skating hard and start performing to the best of their ability. The first couple weeks you're just out there trying to get your legs back and to feel the ice ... but when the coaches get out here, (Berenson) expects us to be ready to go."

And those expectations are understandable. While the maize and blue faithful spent the summer soaking up the glory of another NCAA hockey title, Berenson was already preparing for this Friday's Blue-White game.

"A lot happens in the summer, and we're without some players," Berenson said after practice yesterday. "There are some big gaps on the team when you don't have Turco and Muckalt and Matt Herr ... but it's a new team - new leaders, captains and a new season."

That being said, Berenson expressed his relative satisfaction with MichiganÕs display on the first day.

ÒNobody looked out of place. Certainly there was a good tempo and good intensity. We donÕt have a lot of time to get ready to play É but I thought we got a lot accomplished today,Ó he said.

Berenzweig, returning for his fourth year at Michigan, was a bit more critical of the teamÕs first practice.

ÒOur passes werenÕt crisp, and we couldnÕt hold on to the puck, so that was a little bit of a let down,Ó Berenzweig said. ÒBut in the second half of practice, people just seemed to get used to each other, and you saw a lot of improvements within an hour.Ó

Berenson said he has been impressed with the level of play he is already receiving from the defensemen, five of whom are returning from last year. So far, at least nine defenders have proven to Berenson that they will compete for playing time.

Up front things arenÕt quite as solid, due in large part to last yearÕs graduation and the injury to sophomore center Mark Kosik. Berenson said he is adding walk-ons for each practice, and that as many as six may scrimage at the Blue/White game.

Still, the early expectations Berenzweig spoke of seem to have been met. ÒOverall, IÕm impressed with the level of conditioning and strength testing,Ó Berenson said. ÒMost of our players increased what they were able to do a year ago. I think we had a good summer.Ó

The team will use the short time it has before this weekendÕs competition to sharpen handling skills and build endurance.

ÒWeÕre working on the simple things,Ó sophomore Josh Langfeld said. ÒGetting the puck out, using the glass if youÕre in trouble Ñ itÕs the little things that are going to help you right now.Ó

LangfeldÕs handling skills were responsible for the game-winning overtime goal in last seasonÕs NCAA championship game. But, as the theme of yesterdayÕs practice seemed to be, that was last season.

ÒOn paper weÕre good. But we havenÕt beaten anybody yet,Ó Langfeld said.

09-29-98