Nov. 12, 2009
By Christy Hammond, U-M Media Relations
When University of Michigan associate head coach Mel Pearson first saw center Matt Rust play, he was playing for Honeybaked in Midget Major. Pearson followed Rust as he moved on to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., for his junior and senior years of high school. Pearson says that it was a combination of Rust's skill and strong work ethic that caught the attention of the Michigan coaching staff.
It is that very combination that has made Rust such a successful player for the Michigan team. Not only is he arguably the most dedicated player when it comes to strength and conditioning, but Rust excels on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle as well.
"He's one of our hardest working players," Pearson said. "The thing about Matt is that he's a real competitor and he's real strong so he enjoys playing against a lot of other team's top players and we feel comfortable putting him in those situations. His work ethic is really second to none."
Rust realized the importance of weight lifting and conditioning about the same time he joined the U.S. NTDP his junior year of high school. Coming in at 5-10, 190 pounds, strength becomes even more important with Rust's smaller frame.
"Me being a small player, it's important to have balance on the ice, be strong, and have a good center of gravity," Rust explained. "There's always room for improvement and obviously you're not lifting and getting enormously big or anything, but just your ability to fend off a defender. It allows you to make better plays and it's an important part of your game to have."
Rust anchors the Michigan penalty kill, which ranks sixth in the country with an 89.8-percent success rate (44-of-49). In CCHA play, the Wolverines' PK sits first overall, sporting an 89.3 percent (25-of-28). The team credits its defensive draws, ability to make strong plays and clear the zone, and the unit's chemistry for its success through eight games this season.
"I've been killing penalties with Carl [Hagelin] since freshman year," Rust noted, "and I think the majority of the guys on the PK have been playing together for awhile, so having the chemistry there and having the work ethic definitely makes it easier."
The duo was key to the penalty kill's success last year, which ranked second all-time since 1970-71 at Michigan. The 2008-09 penalty kill succeeded at a rate of 88.1 percent (193 for 219) and was perfect on the PK in 21 games. This year, the Wolverines already have recorded four perfect games on the penalty kill.
To have a strong penalty kill, teams need to win defensive faceoffs and the team looks to Rust in those instances.
"He's one of our best penalty killers," head coach Red Berenson said. "But then it starts at the faceoff. If we can win that faceoff and get the puck out of our zone, that takes some pressure off of our team right off the bat and he's a good faceoff man."
Rust does the heavy lifting in the faceoff circle, taking 137 draws through eight games, along with last year's leading goal scorer Louie Caporusso. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native credits the U.S. NTDP for improving his faceoff acumen as the program emphasized the importance of getting the puck from the draw and then maintaining control once you have it.
Rust will normally take 15-20 draws every day after practice. The junior says it's more about being able to read the other center, knowing what he's going to do, and being able to feed off that to win a draw.
In the opening month of the 2009-10 season, Berenson changed up the top two lines with the hopes of sparking some snakebitten players. As a result, Rust had to readjust to new linemates but still found a way to produce offensively. With two straight weeks of the same linemates, left wing David Wohlberg and right wing Robbie Czarnik, it appears that Berenson may have settled on this trio for now.
Rust has been known for his strong defensive play, while his offense has come in waves. He had 23 goals and 22 assists in 75 games through his first two seasons. He got off to a hot start this year, recording eight points (4-4-8) in as many games and currently leads the team in points. The center recorded his 50th career point when he scored his 25th career goal at Boston University on Oct. 24 this year.
"I just think it was a combination of him just finding his way a little bit and realizing that he can score, he can put up points," Pearson explained. "I think once he got some success, it just sort of snowballed for him. Obviously, we've seen what he can do this year. He's got the offensive skills. He's just got to believe in himself and then do it."
With his strong work ethic, Rust will undoubtedly continue to improve at both of the ends and Pearson predicts the type of player Rust will become.
"I think Matt can be a great all-around player, not just a good one, but a great all-around player where you can trust him as a coach, put him on the ice in any situation and he'll be able to get the job done for you," Pearson said.
