The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/603303
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? at a high level so I considered it, and then that year I saw a lot of good friends sign pro contracts, but nothing really happened for them," Hagelin said. "They played on the fourth line, played three to four minutes per night, and you could see they were standing still in their development. "I didn't want that to happen for me. So that made my decision to go to college easier, and then my dad was a big supporter of it. He went to college and my sister went to college." Hagelin had attended Red Beren- son hockey camps when he was a kid, but the Maize and Blue were not yet interested in the Sodertalje native when he traveled to Big Rapids, Mich., for a United States Hockey League tryout camp in 2006. "Northern Michigan had con- tacted me, and Ferris State, but my dad said, 'Let's stop by Red's of- fice just to tell him you will skate at this camp and see what he thinks,'" Hagelin relayed. "Red really didn't remember me from his camp. "My older brother was more of a prospect, and Red told me maybe if I played juniors for two years in the U.S., they might take a look at me, but I did well at that tryout camp at Ferris. [Former Michigan assistant coach] Mel Pearson was there, and after that, they asked if I wanted to come play for them." Hagelin immediately made an impression in his freshman season with the Wolverines, displaying a ferocity on the defensive end that endeared him to the coaching staff. It helped that he was lightning on skates, arguably the fastest player Berenson has had in 32 seasons, and used his speed to cause chaos for opposing power plays and create chances for U-M. Hagelin had 11 goals and 11 assists for the Maize and Blue in 2007-08, scoring a goal and chipping in an assist in Michigan's 5-4 Frozen Four semifinal loss to Notre Dame. "We all felt really confident go- ing into that game, but they scored three early goals — maybe we didn't expect them to come out flying like they did — and then they had some bounces go their way," Hagelin said. "But when you score three goals to even it up, you have to like your chances. "I'll never forget it because an- other Swede, Calle Ridderwall, scored the game-winner in over- time and that really ticked me off. It was awful because my dad and brother had flown 20 hours to be there thinking we'd play two games and win, and then after we lost they had to fly home another 20 hours." The 5-11, 186-pounder improved upon his numbers during a 31-point sophomore campaign. Then he led the team in scoring during both his junior and senior years, achieving career highs in goals (19), assists (31) and points (50) in 2009-10 while fin- ishing with 49 points in 2010-11. Hagelin was elected captain in his senior season and directed Michigan to the CCHA regular-season title. He then helped spark a four-game