59 Teams in 59 Days Michigan

After a week off, the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour resumes with a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the Michigan Wolverines are featured.

Last year was an up and down year for the Wolverines as the Wolverines started off 9-1-1 in their first 11 games. After that it went downhill as Michigan finished 12-14-4 in their final 30 games of the year. It was a young team last year however, and with most of the players coming back such as Sophomore Defensmen Jack Johnson, and Senior forward T.J. Hensick, the Wolverines look like a really solid team.

Head Coach Red Berenson signed a three year contract extension. This pretty much guarntees that Berenson will be spending the rest of his coaching career in Michigan.

With a reasonable schedule this year, the Wolverines will be prepared for anything thats coming their way. Some tough opponents such as Wisconsin, and Minnesota will test the club to see if they belong back in the elite. And with four out of their eight out of conference games at home [Alabama-Huntsville, Connecticut, and Northeastern (2)] Michigan should have a good early start.

While the out of conference schedule seems resonable for Michigan, the conference schedule looks like it could be tough. They only have to face defending CCHA regular-season champ Miami twice, both which will be on campus which is the good news. The bad news is, the Wolverines will face Michigan State four times and only one of those games at home. However mark down Febuary 10 on the calender because those two will face each other in a showdown at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Overall look for the Wolverines to be back, and better than last year. Billy Sauer will be the clear number one goaltender and that will be a huge relief for Red Berenson who had Sauer and Noah Ruden split time. Expect Sauer's numbers to improve.

With five out of the top six leading scorers returning, expect Michigan to be there offensively, and defensively they have already improved. Will this be the year for their 10th National Championship?

The ceiling for Michigan is first in the CCHA, while their gutter is fourth.

Tommorrow the tour hits day number 32 with a stop to East Lansing, Michigan, where the Michigan State Spartans will be featured.