Berenson welcomes back Wolverines for pair of alumni games

 

By Greg Garno –

ANN ARBOR — Michigan coach Red Berenson isn’t one to smile often.

But after Friday’s pair of alumni games at Yost Ice Arena, the veteran was grinning from ear to ear. He sounded more like a dad after his kids had returned home than a coach.

“I’m just glad they all came back,” Berenson said. “They’ve all got a busy summer, some have pro camps going on and they’re back.”

After graduating in 1962, Berenson once again returned to the ice, but not as a coach, rather a player. He didn’t finish with a goal or assist, but every time he touched the puck, the crowd became quieter and defenders swarmed him.

At 74 years old, he wasn’t the spry version of his former self, but he still skated with the likes of his fellow coaches — Billy Powers and Brian Wiseman.

“It’s good for your heart,” he joked. “It’s like a physical.”

Wiseman, on the other hand, looked to be in great shape. His 348 points is good enough for third all-time in program history, and he tallied a goal for good measure on Friday’s game.

A 1994 graduate, Wiseman was the second center on the line chart tonight, behind Berenson.

“I’m a little sore, but it was fun,” Wiseman said. “It’s just great to have all the alumni return from all the different generations, the different decades. It’s a unique thing that we have here at Michigan.”

Wiseman, Berenson, Powers and the blue team tied the white team, 1-1, in the game for those 35 years and older. Steve Shields, another ’94 alum, looked like his old self when he boasted a 2.73 goals-against average.

 

The under-35 game was more offensive, as former goaltender Shawn Hunwick and the white team allowed a late goal to fall 7-6. Hunwick, a walk-on who led Michigan to the 2011 Championship Game and finished with a career 2.06 goals-against average, was more worried about the talk Berenson might have with him after the game.

“Coach won’t be happy with that,”Hunwick said. “He’s going to tell me I’m out of shape, I know that’s coming.”

“But its great to be back with the guys. Being back out here with my brother and the others is always a fun time.”

Once down 6-3, the white team mounted a comeback to tie the game at six, thanks in part to the offense of current New Jersey Devils forward, Mike Cammalleri. The 2003 alum finished with a hat trick in his return, but he too will be worrying about what his coach has to say.

“I don’t know (if he’s proud), we lost the game so he won’t be too happy with me,” Cammalleri said. “But Being on Yost ice is a special, special thing to me. There’s a lot of sentimental value to it.

“We’re all smiles and looking forward to getting together later and tell a bunch of lies.”

Added Berenson: “Cammalleri’s still got it. He’s an exceptional player and always has been.”

Cammalleri joined a pair of captains from last season’s team — forward Derek DeBlois and Mac Bennett — along with Gross Pointe native and 2013 graduate, forward Kevin Lynch.

And for all Red’s smiles to watch his former players back or to get a chance to return to the ice, he’s most excited to get back to coaching.

“Before they know it, they’re going to be one of those guys out there,” he said.