Michigan Hockey: A Family Affair

MICHIGAN HOCKEY: A FAMILY AFFAIR
Former Wolverines gather for weekend of reminiscing, friendly competition

By Terri Jan, U-M Athletic Media Relations

On Friday, August 6, University of Michigan ice hockey fans will pack into Yost Ice Arena when the likes of Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble and Josh Langfeld return to Ann Arbor to once again don the Maize and Blue. The popular Ice Hockey Summer Showcase starts Friday afternoon with three hockey games and is capped off by a golf outing for the hockey alumni on Saturday.

The alumni reunion golf outing started in head coach Red Berenson's first year as coach, with only about 30 alumni participating. As the number grew, Berenson found that people were coming in for the golf outing on Friday with nothing to do, so that's when it was decided to have a hockey game that night. It was a big success, with a large turnout from alumni and fans, with nearly 200 players returning and the stands packed.

"We've had a real good time with this," Berenson said. "It's all in good fun, and that's the spirit of the games. The under-35 game has become the highlight game, with guys like Brendan Morrison, Mike Knuble, Aaron Ward, Marty Turco and Steve Shields returning. All these guys come back, and it just makes for a dynamite game. The fans love it."

The fans are not the only ones that love it. For returning players it is not only a chance for them to catch up with old teammates and reminisce, but it gives them an opportunity to meet the newest alumni as well as current Wolverine players.

Alumni (from left) Sean Ritchlin, Bubba Berenzweig, Greg Daddario and Bobby Hayes -- a quartet who as juniors helped Michigan capture the 1998 national championship -- teamed up in the 2003 golf outing.

"It's a chance for everyone with one thing in common to get together and have some fun," former defenseman David Huntzicker said. "The year after I graduated, I played in the golf outing with Steven Halko. It was really nice to get to know somebody that I hadn't had a chance to sit down and talk to. You have that one thing in common -- University of Michigan hockey. It's a good chance to hear stories about what it was like when they were here, and return the favor to them."

"It's the camaraderie, the friendships, the memories -- this is a part of their life," Berenson said. "The longer they're gone, the more they appreciate it. They all know they had a great time at Michigan. They look back at their time here with fond memories, so they can't wait to get back. Every year they see players that they never expected to see, or someone they may not see during the year in their own travels, but they see them here and they really enjoy that. Another thing that I think is interesting is that a lot of the young guys get a chance to meet the older guys and it's good for both the young and old guys to meet. It just kind of bonds all the Michigan hockey family."

"The best thing about being a player here now is seeing the old guys come back," said senior defenseman Nick Martens. "It can be guys who have never met, just sitting upstairs, and sharing stories. The environment and atmosphere keep them coming back."

While some athletes have returned every year, this will be Josh Langfeld's first alumni game since he graduated in 2001. Langfeld, who will forever be remembered for his overtime goal that gave the Wolverines their ninth national championship in 1998, is looking forward to seeing his classmates again.

"I wanted to come back and have fun with the guys that I used to play with," said Langfeld, who currently plays for the Ottawa Senators. "It's a chance to see some old faces, have a good weekend, and get away from everything for awhile."

For some alumni, the reunion provides a chance to reconnect with the program that has helped shape their career.

"I had nothing but positive experiences when I was here," said alumnus David Roberts, who now plays in Europe for the Berlin Polar Bears. "I have a lot of respect for Red and what he's done here with the program. It's a good group of guys. You want to come back, you want to support the school, you want to support the program, and you want to see it continue to get better and better."

"It's about keeping the Michigan hockey family going," said Berenson. "These guys are really close; a lot of them are just like brothers. The classes are really close. Like my class, the guys I graduated with, we're still the best of friends. I think that's an important part of going to Michigan, it's the follow-up and staying with the program, and staying involved and coming back and having fun."

While the players love coming back, they are divided on what they like best about the weekend. "For me it's the game," said Huntzicker. "It's exciting to see all the games, and all the different Michigan players, whether they're 25 or 70. They're all still pretty good, and they all know the game. I think that's what it's all about. Hockey brought us here, so hockey should be the most fun part."

However, according to Berenson, if you ask the average hockey alumnus, it's the golf outing that they do not want to miss.

"I'm probably looking most forward to the golf outing," Langfeld concurs. "I love golf, and playing and spending time with four of my classmates, it should be a good time."

Although Ward, who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes, will not be able to participate in this year's game, the weekend is still special to him.

"I look forward to the returning alumni because it's about catching up with guys," said Ward. "It's nostalgia, and things you didn't remember, the experiences are rekindled, and it's a bit of an uplifting experience."

For some alumni, the weekend will not be the first time they step onto Yost ice this summer. Older alumni, such as Ward and Chris Fox, to more recent graduates like Mike Roemensky and J.J. Swistak, have been returning to the place they once called their second home to skate with current players. It is an exciting time, especially for present Wolverines to see players that have moved on to the pros.

"It's a great time," said Martens. "Everyone's out there, whether it be the old guys trying to prove that they've still got it, or the guys in the pros proving why they're up there. It's always a pretty intense skate, and it's really exciting to get to play with those guys, knowing that they were here one time, doing the things that I am right now."

"I've enjoyed it a lot, having guys like Aaron Ward, Josh Langfeld, Andy Hilbert and Dave Roberts around, just getting to know them a little bit better," said sophomore defenseman Matt Hunwick. "I haven't really known too many of the past players, and it's been a lot of fun out on the ice."

To the players, the return of the alumni reinforces the family feel around the program.
"I think it speaks volumes," senior forward David Moss said. "When you come here, you definitely feel a part of a family. You feel the atmosphere, you have great coaches, everyone makes you feel part of a family. When you leave here, you're a part of the family forever, whether you graduated 20 years ago or if you just graduated."

Roberts agreed, "I think everyone feels the same way, when you leave here, it's a family. You're proud of what they do, and you always want to watch it."

"We have nine national championship banners up there; everyone is involved here, the coaches, the support staff, the people that help us out, the equipment managers, the trainers, the fans, the school. It's as classy as you can get. You couldn't ask for anything more and down the road, I'm going to be one to come back too, and I'm not even done yet," Martens laughed.

Going into his final year at Michigan, Moss knows that no matter where his skates may lead him, he will always be a part of the Wolverine family.

"I think that's part of the selling point of Michigan," Moss said. "I'm sure that there are some programs that don't have the same atmosphere, where guys can leave and come back, and the door's always open. It's a good feeling to know that when you leave here, you're always going to be a part of the Michigan family."

Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Nick Martens

David Moss

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