Just found this on a USCHO post:

CCHA preseason polls as announced at Media Day:

COACHES POLL
1. Michigan (10) 120
2. Ferris State (1) 104
3. Michigan State (1) 101
4. Ohio State 96
5. Northern Michigan 71
6. Miami 64
7. Notre Dame 62
8. Alaska Fairbanks 53
9. Western Michigan 52
10. Bowling Green 35
11. Nebraska-Omaha 23
12. Lake Superior 11

MEDIA POLL
1. Michigan (70)
2. Michigan State (7)
3. Ferris State (2)
4. Ohio State (3)
5. Northern Michigan
6. Miami
7. Notre Dame
8. Western Michigan
9. Alaska Fairbanks
10. Nebraska-Omaha
11. Bowling Green
12. Lake Superior

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DEKERS PICNIC
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Just a few brief notes from the Dekers picnic this past Sunday. Good turnout of fans, most tables seemed full or near full.

All the players did their usual "thank you" speeches. Best one was probably Al Montoya, who had lost his voice at the Notre Dame game and struggled getting through his speech. He had to stop about four or five times to catch his voice, drawing much laughter from the fans.

Mike Woodford was there "supported" by his mother. For those who don't know, Berenson mentioned in the Dekers newsletter I got a few days before the picnic that Woodford's father died suddenly at the age of 48 around the middle of August. The Boston native is hoping for a homecoming of sorts in April as the FleetCenter plays host to this season's NCAA Frozen Four.

The freshmen sang the Victors to perfection not once but twice. The first time they were standing between a couple of posts under the pavillion, thus blocking the view for half the crowd. So they were forced to do it again to the delight of the fans.

Berenson then gave his speech and immediately pointed out the weather (it was rather windy with a chance of rain looming). He said when they were below a .500 team years ago, it rained every year at the picnic, so the first drop of rain he feels, the picnic is over.

He then moved on to business and said how every year he says he likes the team that is coming back, but this year he "really likes" the team that is coming back.

He likes the freshmen and talked briefly about how they have to start recruiting earlier these days (hence why Billy and Mel weren't there...they were off at a few tournaments scouting). He mention getting Hensick, Hunwick, and Brown from the U.S. Under-18 team and how they had to make sure early they were the guys they wanted and fit in to their program or else another team might have grabbed them.

Red said they are strong from goaltending right up to the forwards. He feels this year's defense will be better, and with only three seniors, the junior class will have to step up their role. He said there will be a lot of high expectations and pressure on these guys this season, but that's a good thing to push and motivate them. Berenson sounds very excited about this season, as I think all Michigan fans are.

One more note...I believe the first Red Berenson Show will take place two weeks from today at Creekside Bar & Grill.

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COMRIE RETURNS TO U-M
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Former Wolverine star Mike Comrie has returned to Yost... for now.

The Edmonton native is currently in a contract dispute with the Oilers and has been locked out of camp. Rather than stay in Edmonton where he would be constantly distracted being a well recognized figure and having to answer to the media every day, Comrie decided to pack his bags and head to Ann Arbor to skate with the Wolverines.

If I remember correctly, Brendan Morrison did the same thing a few years ago when he went through a contract dispute with New Jersey.

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KOMISAREK ANSWERS
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Mike Komisarek answered fans questions on NHL.com, a few of them involving his time at Michigan. You can read the chat at:

http://www.nhl.com/fancentral/qa/komisarek_answers.html

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net