The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/262939
Michigan's Top Two-Way Freshman Skaters Since 2002 Throughout Red Berenson's 30-year career, U-M has had dozens of incredible 200-foot players (skaters that excel offensively and defensively) but few that were capable of doing so in their true freshman campaign. Here are the five best of the past 13 years (the length of time author Michael Spath has covered the team). Dwight Helminen, 2001-02: Though he was more noted for his defensive presence, Helminen possessed incredible offensive skill, with a shot that could pick corners of the net. He scored 10 goals in his rookie year, including two on the power play and one shorthanded, and probably could have scored more but there was a ton of talent on that team and he didn't play on a top-two line. Kevin Porter, 2004-05: Porter's game and his production grew exponentially over his career, from 24 points in 2005 to 63 en route to the Hobey Baker Award as a senior. The coaches trusted him on the penalty kill in his rookie year, and he was a sniper on the power play, tallying four man-advantage markers. Matt Rust, 2007-08: In the heralded 2008 class, Aaron Palushaj (44 points), Max Pacioretty (39 points) and Louie Caporusso (12 goals) were better offensive talents, and Carl Hagelin was a better defensive forward, but Rust could do it all for the Wolver- ines. Quite often U-M's second-line center, Rust had 12 goals and 11 assists in 2008, and he was dynamic on the penalty kill alongside Hagelin. David Wohlberg, 2008-09: Teammates in the U.S. National Program, Wohlberg was the stout defensive centerman and Robbie Czarnik was the offensive standout, but in their rookie year, Wohlberg proved far better than Czarnik at both. He was the CCHA Rookie of the Year after scoring 15 goals with 15 assists, and his defense didn't slide one bit while his offense flourished. Jacob Trouba, 2012-13: The lone defense- man on this list, Trouba was a physical presence on the blue line, quite possibly Michigan's most trusted defender. Offensively, he was in his own league, netting 12 goals and picking up 17 as- sists in earning the CCHA's award for Top Of- fensive Defenseman. Trouba's seven power-play goals were the most for U-M since Caporusso scored 10 in 2009. — Michael Spath D a v i d Wo h l b e r g, w h o w a s known as a stout defensive cen- terman, earned CCHA Rookie of the Year honors after also tally- ing 15 goals and 15 assists dur- ing the 2008-09 campaign. PHOTO BY ERIC BRONSON