JOHNSON DEPARTS MICHIGAN

If you're one of the few who haven't heard by now, sophomore
defenseman Jack Johnson has signed with the Los Angeles Kings and will
forego his final two years of eligibility.

Johnson stayed behind in Colorado as the team flew back to Ann Arbor
as a deal was being finalized. As a result, there was one deal he
couldn't cash in on...head coach Red Berenson saying when Jack is
ready to leave, he'd drive him to the airport.

Johnson will make his NHL debut Thursday night in Los Angeles and will
partner with future Hall of Famers Rob Blake on the blueline.

"It will be something else playing with him," Johnson told the L.A.
Times. "He's one of the best defensemen in the world. Growing up, he
was one of the players who I tried to play like. Sitting here in the
locker room with him will be quite an honor."

That game can be seen on Fox Sports West and Sportsnet Pacific.

If you can't catch him then, this Sunday's Kings vs. Sharks game is
suppose to be broadcast nationally on NBC starting at 6 p.m. ET
according to the NHL's website, though a quick check of TV Guide and
Yahoo online doesn't show it here in Marquette and a few other places
I checked, so ya got me!

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HOBEY-LESS HENSICK

The Hobey Baker Foundation just released their Hobey Hat Trick
finalists and senior forward T.J. Hensick, the nation's leading
scorer, is NOT among them.

The award will go to either goaltender David Brown of Notre Dame,
forward Ryan Duncan of North Dakota, or forward Eric Ehn of Air Force.

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Speaking of Hensick, he said on last night's Red Berenson Show (the
final one of the season) that he was close to signing with the
Colorado Avalanche. Other seniors--Matt Hunwick, David Rohlfs, Jason
Dest, and Tim Cook--all said they plan on trying minor hockey next
fall. Hunwick and Rohlfs were draft picks of Boston and Edmonton
respectively, while Cook was taken by Ottawa. I believe if they are
not signed by August 1, they become free agents and are free to sign
anywhere.

As for other potential early departures, Kevin Porter said he has
spoken with Phoenix but will remain at Michigan for now. He is likely
to be team captain if he returns.

And looking ahead to the future, the Wolverines will have a bit of a
job next fall replacing all the seniors (and other departees), but
possibly even a returnee, too. U-M goalie Billy Sauer, who had a
stellar second half of the season until the NCAA tournament, will have
a long summer ahead after giving up seven goals against North Dakota
and his job could be in jeopardy.

"We'll have a long look at whether we'll be a one-goalie team, or who
that goalie will be," Berenson said in The Ann Arbor News. "There was
definitely a point in that game, had I had another goalie that was
experienced and had played, we would have made a change."

The Wolverines are bringing in Highland, Mich. native Bryan Hogan, who
currently plays for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. Berenson thinks
Hogan could be a special goalie, though time will tell. Hogan
currently sports a 25-10-3 record with Lincoln, however his numbers
haven't been mind blowing this season--3.10 GAA (10th in the league)
and .887 save percentage (16th in the league).

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HOCKEY GARAGE SALE

The annual Michigan hockey garage sale will be held April 14 beginning
at 8 a.m. at Yost Ice Arena. If you want something good, get there
very early!

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/