Michigan Adds Defenseman Burlon to Recruiting Class
5/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan ice hockey head coach Red Berenson announced Friday (May 9) that the program has received a National Letter of Intent from defenseman Brandon Burlon(Nobleton, Ontario) for the 2008-09 season. Burlon becomes the fourth member and the second defenseman of U-M's recruiting efforts for the class of 2008.
Burlon (6-1, 195 pounds) is heading to Michigan after two strong seasons with the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League's St. Michael's Buzzers, the same team that produced current Wolverine forward Louie Caporusso(Woodbridge, Ontario) and U-M alumnus Andrew Cogliano (2006-07). An alternate captain for the Buzzers in 2007-08, Burlon helped the squad post program records for most wins (43), points (88) and fewest losses (4) en route to the OPJHL regular-season crown. Burlon earned a 7-17-24 line, along with 41 penalty minutes, in 32 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he had two goals and eight assists with 10 PIM in 12 games before the Buzzers were knocked out in the second round.
In the fall of 2007, Burlon represented Team Canada at the World Junior 'A' Challenge in British Columbia. He earned a silver medal with the Canada East squad, tallying two assists in five games. Burlon was rated the 41st-best North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting Service's final (April) rankings for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
In 2006-07, Burlon posted 4-19-23 totals and had 46 PIM in 45 games. He had two assists and six penalty minutes in 13 playoff games.
Update on Michigan's Fall 2007 Signees
Forwards Robbie Czarnik(Washington, Mich.) and David Wohlberg(South Lyon, Mich.) won bronze medals with Team USA at the recently completed IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Russia. Czarnik tied for the team points lead with three goals and five assists in seven games. Wohlberg contributed three markers.
The duo spent the 2007-08 season together with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. In 50 games with the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team, Czarnik (6-0, 178 pounds) posted 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points to rank fifth on the team in scoring. He had 32 PIM. Wohlberg (6-0, 192 pounds) accumulated an 11-11-22 line and 55 PIM in 46 games with the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team. He also had 5-1-6 totals in six games with the U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team. In February, Czarnik and Wohlberg garnered gold medals as the U.S. won a Five Nations Tournament in Finland against teams from Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia and Finland.
Both players were rated by the NHL CSS for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Among North American skaters, Czarnik is ranked 88th while Wohlberg is ranked 172nd.
Defenseman Greg Pateryn(Sterling Heights, Mich.) spent the 2007-08 campaign with the United States Hockey League's Ohio Junior Blue Jackets. Pateryn (6-2, 212 pounds) had three goals and 24 assists in 60 regular-season contests. His 145 penalty minutes led the team. In January, he participated in the 2008 USHL Prospects/All-Star Game. The Junior Blue Jackets did not qualify for the USHL playoffs. Pateryn is rated 146th among North American skaters by the NHL CSS for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Michigan Signs Two Forwards, One Defenseman for 2008-09(11/21/07)
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
