Preseason expectations are what separate the 2008-09 Michigan hockey team from the 2007-08 squad. This fall, U-M is ranked No. 2 in the preseason USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and is predicted to finish first (media) or second (coaches) in the CCHA, depending on whom you ask. The forecasts for 2008-09 come as a result of Michigan's success last season when the Wolverines, who were preseason No. 10 in the country and picked fourth in the CCHA, rattled off a 33-6-4 record, while winning the CCHA regular season and playoff titles and came two wins short of a national title.

Twenty-one players return from that 2007-08 team, including all three goalies and all seven defensemen who collectively allowed just over two goals per game. The biggest challenge for head coach Red Berenson, who enters his 25th season at U-M, will be replacing the departed first line of Kevin Porter (33-30-63), Chad Kolarik (30-26-56) and Max Pacioretty (15-24-39). Under the leadership of captain Mark Mitera and alternate captain Chris Summers, the Wolverines are eager to repeat their winning ways.

FORWARDS

Year after year, Michigan's offense consistently ranks among the best in the nation in scoring. Last season was no different as the Wolverines averaged 3.95 goals per game -- second in the country. Although 12 forwards return from 2007-08, much of that production is gone with the graduation of Kevin Porter, Chad Kolarik and the departure of Max Pacioretty. In order for U-M to remain atop the offensive charts, it will have to rely on a new class of scorers.

The incoming rookie class includes U.S. National Team Development Program products Robbie Czarnik and David Wohlberg as well as Hotchkiss School graduate Luke Glendening.

The coaching staff is not sure on the exact assets that the new blood will bring to the team, but for now they believe that the freshmen will add to the talented pool of centermen that the Maize and Blue boast this season. The Wolverines have nine skaters in their lineup that have played at the center position in the past, but sophomores Matt Rust and Louie Caporusso are definitely at the top of the list.

"The way things are shaking up right now, I think we will start the year with Rust, Caporusso, Czarnik and Wohlberg at center," Berenson said 10 days before the exhibition opener. "That is four. But Anthony Ciraulo can play center. Danny Fardig can play center, and so can Tim Miller, Carl Hagelin and Travis Turnbull. But I am going to look at those first four. And if those two freshmen can handle it, we will give them that opportunity."

Both Caporusso and Rust are eager to prove that they deserve those top positions.

"Right now, I am trying my hardest to be a top-two center definitely," said Caporusso. "I go out there and work my hardest everyday and hopefully it will pay off."

Rust has similar sentiments, "Hopefully I will play in one of those roles. If I do, it's great; if I don't, I will try to work up to it, but that is for coach to decide."

In standard preseason action, the lines are constantly changing, but there have been some good combinations thus far. With Rust and Caporusso centering the first two lines, it appears they will be flanked by left wingers Carl Hagelin and Chris Summers, who is switching from defense, and right wingers Aaron Palushaj and Travis Turnbull.

A few of the lines that have been seen during captain's practices look like they could have staying power. Summers and Turnbull seem to work well with Rust, and have practiced together a few times.

"They look like they have some chemistry," said associate head coach Mel Pearson. "That line has speed and that is one of the reasons we shake the lines up -- to get a look at a line like that and see if they possibly could be a good line for us. And I think they could, and I think that you may see them together this year."

Line combinations are tough to predict before the season begins, but it is safe to say that the coaching staff is enjoying mixing things up. Rust and Summers also have skated with Palushaj on a line, while Turnbull has formed a line with sophomores Hagelin and Caporusso. The coaches could always revert to last season's "freshmen line" of Hagelin, Rust and Palushaj, who played 21 games together a year ago.

Without a doubt, the sophomores will play a major role in deciding the offense this season. Now more experienced, the coaching staff is expecting them to step up and contribute in new ways.

"Hopefully they will all move up a bit in terms of their contribution to the team -- our expectations go up for them," said Berenson. "Last year, we were hoping that they could play because we really needed them to play. Now we know how they play, but we still need to grow their game."

"I definitely feel the pressure," said Rust. "Having Porter, Kolarik, and Pacioretty gone -- whoever is going to step into that first line role is going to have a lot of pressure on them regardless of if they are a main guy or what. But there is definitely pressure trying to step into those shoes."

The coaches are not looking for a new top line, though. This year's team will not be the same as last year.

"I don't know if we will have top-two lines," said Berenson. "We might have top-four lines, or top three. Last year, we had one top line and everyone else had to prove their way up."

Even though Berenson is not expecting anyone to take over that top-line role, the pressure is definitely still on for all the forwards. Turnbull, the top returning goal scorer (15-12-27), is expected to have his best year.

"I think we are going to give him a good opportunity to be a good goal scorer," said Pearson. "We are going to put him with people that we think will compliment him and give him a chance to build on that [goal] total from last year. Travis always finds ways to score goals, so I think he will be one of our leading goal scorers again this year. We aren't going to put a lot of pressure on him. He puts enough pressure on himself, so we are just going to try and put him in a good situation where he can have success."

Berenson echoed Pearson and added, "I am looking for Turnbull to have his best year. He has had some great moments, some great games, and I think this is his time to have a great year."

Leadership on and off the ice should come from alternate captain Chris Summers. He has spent most of his career at Michigan anchoring the defense, but has played 13 games at the forward position. When asked what Summers could contribute to the offense, Pearson did not hesitate, "No question, speed. And with that speed he will be able to create a good forecheck for us and hopefully force some turnovers -- that is what we are counting on from him."

Berenson added that by putting Summers at the forward position, it will give the Wolverines a little more experience up front and believes that "it will be a good extension of his abilities."

"No one has really ever put him in a good role as a forward. And I think he could be an exciting forward," explained Berenson. "He is smart player, he is a coachable player and he skates so well that I think the game will be easy for him up front -- there will be a learning curve, but I don't think it will show much."

Statistically, Michigan's top returning point-getter is sophomore Aaron Palushaj, who finished third on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 34 assists for 44 points -- his 34 helpers led the CCHA. But this year, the coaches are hoping that more of those points come from putting the rubber biscuit in the net.

"He has got to score more goals," said Pearson. "I think if you ask him, he would agree with that. One of the things is that on the power play he didn't get a lot of shots. With the three players we lost, he is going to get the chance to get into situations where he can shoot the puck more. I think that is part of Aaron too, he likes to make plays, he is a good playmaker, but he has got to take it upon himself to shoot the puck a little bit more."

As Berenson pointed out, this year's squad might not have a top one or two lines. There are many players that could easily be seen on any of the four lines this season. Tim Miller and Brandon Naurato have both seen time on the top lines in their careers, and you can expect that they might be there again. Senior Danny Fardig, juniors Brian Lebler and Anthony Ciraulo and sophomore Ben Winnett have each seen extensive playing time and should fill various roles -- offensive and defensively -- on the third and fourth lines.

DEFENSEMEN

Fortunately for the Wolverines, the defensive corps is returning all seven of its players from a season ago, including senior captain Mark Mitera. However, that does not mean things will not look differently out on the ice for the Maize and Blue. Junior Chris Summers, one of Michigan's most consistent defenseman from the last two years, is being pushed to the forward line in an attempt to stimulate the offense. The defense is also welcoming two new players to the roster: freshmen Brandon Burlon and Greg Pateryn.

Junior Steve Kampfer and sophomore Chad Langlais played nearly the entire season together last year. In the campaign's second half, Mitera played primarily with sophomore Scooter Vaughan and Summers was paired with sophomore Tristin Llewellyn. Junior Eric Elmblad saw spot duty late in the year. Seemingly, the coaching staff just has to find a new partner for Llewellyn and cruise into the 2008-09 season.

So will it be that simple on the blue line this year Assistant coach Billy Powers stated, "I think you're going to see some different pairings. We need to get a feel for who we can mix and match. There are two freshmen that are vying for ice time, so we'll take a peek at some various combinations here over the next few weeks. We don't have a whole lot set in stone, but we do know that we've got a lot of experience, and the new kids are quick. I would classify it as a competitive defense, a deep defense, and I think if we keep our heads screwed on we can be very positive as a group right from the get-go."

Mitera echoed Powers statement, saying he expects the lines to reflect different pairings from last season. As for losing his occasional partner Summers, Mitera said, "Personally, it doesn't really matter who I play with. I think as the season goes on players start to gel with everybody. We definitely have the talent, so with whichever six defensemen are in the lineup, it doesn't matter who is playing with whom."

With that said, it looks as though anyone on the squad could fight for a spot on the blue line, including the freshmen. Junior Steve Kampfer iterated, "They [the freshmen] are both doing well, but they are also different players. Pateryn is a big, physical guy, and he is showing it at practice. He's throwing his body around. Burlon is an offensive defenseman, and he's making passes, jumping up to the play. They both look good out there."

In terms of the offensive output from the blue line, look for sophomore Chad Langlais to make an impact once again. Last year, he tallied 19 helpers as a rookie. "I think you have to look at Langlais as someone who should be an offensive contributor; he always has been," noted Powers. "I think he is eager to improve his goal output from last year. At the same time, he's a great playmaker."

Last season, Mitera led all Michigan rearguards in scoring (2-21-23) en route to posting career highs in all three statistical categories. He also led the defensemen with a +30 plus/minus rating. Rating Mitera's offensive abilities, Powers said, "Of course, Mitera has been on the power play since he's been here, and he's capable of putting up 25 or 30 points in a season."

Returning all of its players and adding two talented rookies, the Maize and Blue defense has plenty to be excited about heading into this season. The 2007-08 campaign was very successful as the team goals-against average dropped from 3.15 in 2006-07 to 2.07. Nevertheless, the coaches and players continue to assess the group's strengths and weaknesses in order to stay sharp and get the most out of the talent on the roster.

"We've got to limit our goals against," Kampfer stated. "We did a great job last year, but I think we can do a better job this season. I think it starts with us playing solid in the defensive zone, but we are showing it in practice. We're not letting too many goals in, and we've got to keep that effort up."

Mitera added, "Last season we really took pride in limiting our goals against -- it was something the defense really wanted to focus on. I think last year [the GAA] was around two, which was quite a step up from my sophomore year where it was around three or four. It wasn't just the d-corps though -- it was the whole team having a focus of good defense. I think that will carry into this season."

GOALTENDERS

"If there is an area where we should be strong on this team, then it should be in goal," reported Berenson in regards to his view on U-M's goalies for the 2008-09 season.

Coach Berenson's confidence in his goaltenders grew by leaps and bounds last season as Billy Sauer had the epitome of a breakout season; he went 30-4-3 and set Michigan single-season records for goals against average (1.95) and save percentage (.924). Additionally, Bryan Hogan developed into a more-than-capable alternative during his first year in Ann Arbor. Most especially, he stopped 18 of 20 shots after relieving Sauer in U-M's 5-4 overtime loss in the Frozen Four. Overall, Hogan earned a 3-2-1 line with a 2.55 GAA and .903 save percentage after missing the first two months of the year due to illness.

"I like the fact that Billy Sauer is a senior now," said Berenson. "After every year you can look back and ask if a player still has something to prove and he does, absolutely. Bryan Hogan got off to a tough start last year, having mononucleosis, so he missed the first six to eight weeks, and by that point Billy had pretty much taken the top job and run with it. Our team was off to an unbelievable start, so Hogan never got the chance to play much. But a year ago, he would have been in a position to maybe take that number one job; that is how highly we think of him. I definitely think that they will both play more. Well, Hogan will play more and hopefully he will play better as well."

It is not a given that Michigan will employ a platoon system in net this season, however, if Berenson feels that he has two No. 1 goalies then they both will see time in net. The competition for playing time hopefully will force Sauer and Hogan to improve their skills. Since his arrival three years ago, Sauer has learned to challenge shooters more and then utilize his athleticism to battle and make the second and third saves in flurries around the net. Mentally, he has matured to the point where he tries to keep an even keel whether a game is going his way or not. Comparatively, Hogan is more measured and technical in his movements around the crease, but still very aggressive on the first shot. He is an adept puck-handler who can neutralize a forecheck or initiate a rush up ice from behind his own net.

On and off the ice, Hogan is in agreement with the concept that competition breeds success. "[Having to compete for playing time] makes you work harder," said Hogan. "Even after college you're going to face things like this. Battling to become the starting goalie is healthy. It helps you get ready to play now and for other things in the long run."

"I want to be in the game for the right reasons," said Sauer. "If I'm in and we're winning then that's great. But I don't want to be in just because the coaches may think they have to play me."

The battle for playing time can put a strain on the goalies off the ice, but Sauer and Hogan maintain that they've been able to remain friends and encourage each other to win for the Maize and Blue. "It's always a tough relationship when you're competing for the same job," explained Sauer. "Forwards can be friends because they're on the ice together. There is only one goalie that plays. It's a tough thing to handle. But Hogan's been great; Shawn Hunwick also has been awesome. They're good guys to be with every day and they really support me just like I support them."

Michigan will have a chance this weekend to work out the kinks in its lineup and change things up before it faces St. Lawrence for two games at home to open up its regular season on October 10-11.