Kornacki: Werenski Back to Making Impact with Wolverines
1/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Jan. 9, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Zach Werenski was back in his element Friday night (Jan. 8), leading the University of Michigan ice hockey team's defense and power play on his shifts during a convincing 9-2 win over Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena. He scored his fifth goal of the season and also broke up a breakaway by Matt DeBlouw.
It was a nice return for Werenski, the captain of the U.S. National Junior Team that earned a bronze medal in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland.
Werenski earned the Directorate Award as the top defenseman in the tournament after the U.S. defeated Sweden, 8-3, on Tuesday (Jan. 5). Werenski led all defensemen in scoring with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in seven games.
And while the WJC was going on, a U.S. newspaper columnist speculated that Werenski "is unhappy in college and thinking of turning pro."
When asked about the unsourced rumor about him being unhappy at Michigan, Werenski, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, shook his head and smiled.
"I'm happy," he said. "That was a terrible rumor. ... It's not something you want to see. You just have to push it off.
"I was just kind of like, 'What is this?' when I read it. I put it behind me. At that point, I just stopped looking at Twitter. I have bigger things to worry about than that."
Werenski was asked if there was any way he would consider signing before this season is over.
"No, not at all," he said. "I came back and want to win at Michigan. That's my goal, to win a national championship. So, I'm going to see if I can do that. That's why I'm here."
Werenski with Team USA
Werenski returned from Finland on Wednesday night (Jan. 6), caught up on rest and the European time change the next day, and bused to East Lansing with the team at 9:15 a.m. Friday for a practice and team meeting followed by the pregame meal.
Berenson watched how Werenski handled it all and allowed him to make the call on whether to play.
"There's no question he's a high-end defenseman," said Berenson. 'He's coming off a really good tournament, and I gave him the option that -- if his head didn't feel real good after the seven-hour time change and not sleeping for 48 hours -- not just wanting to play, but could he help the team and really dig in and help us. And he definitely felt he could. I waited until this morning to ask him. Good for him. He adds to our team, obviously."
Werenski said, "I was pretty tired, but I wanted to get back with the team, get back in the routine, and it worked out for me. It's tough, especially with the time change, but playing tonight definitely helped."
The NHL can wait, but he knows just how great playing there can be.
Werenski has watched his close friend and former South Quad dorm roommate, Dylan Larkin, move on from Michigan after his freshman season to become one of the NHL's hottest stars. Larkin was voted into the All-Star Game by fans, leads the Detroit Red Wings with 14 goals and leads the league with a plus-23 rating.
Werenski was there at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena to share the experience of Larkin's first goal and knew he could've been on the ice playing against his buddy this year. But Werenski weighed the pros and cons and decided Michigan was the best place for him this season.
He loves working with Mike Komisarek, the former Michigan star who spent 11 years playing defense in the NHL for Montreal, Toronto and Carolina. Komisarek is in the Degree Completion Program, finishing his degree in sport management and serving as a graduate student assistant for the team.
"He points out the little things that I'm doing wrong," Werenski said of Komisarek. "He sees the little things and is quite a resource for me. It's huge. He knows about all the little things that make a good hockey player, and so working with him has been unbelievable."
Werenski is being afforded the benefit of working with someone who walked in his shoes, glided in his skates.
Komisarek was taken seventh overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2001 but came back to Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a pair of Frozen Fours. Then he went onto a long career in the league, making the 2009 All-Star team as a hard-hitting defenseman.
Berenson sees the improvements that have come with his former and current defensive stalwart working together.
"There are subtle little things -- whether it's in practice or games," said Berenson. "He's stronger defensively, and he's always had a smart stick. He knows what to do with the puck, but every defenseman tries to get better without the puck."
Komisarek watched the team play Friday night from the press box and was asked for his thoughts on Werenski.
"He's been through a lot," said Komisarek. "Zach has a lot on his plate, and for an 18-year-old, he has handled himself really well."
Werenski this season
Komisarek noted that Werenski has met the demands of playing hockey at Michigan as well as taking a full load of classes, going through the hoopla of the NHL draft, attending the summer camp in Columbus for Blue Jackets draft picks and being a leader for the national team.
"It's been a pleasure working with Zach," said Komisarek.
Komisarek noted that what the coaching staff at Michigan is teaching Werenski will help him when he reaches the NHL.
"Up there, it's all about how you execute," said Komisarek. "It's the little details of the game that help separate you from the rest."
But for now, and hopefully until the Frozen Four this year in Tampa, Werenski's challenge is with the Wolverines.
• Five-Goal First Period Keys U-M's Lopsided Victory at MSU
