Palushaj scored 44 points as a freshman, the first
Michigan rookie to reach the 40-point plateau
since T.J. Hensick in 2003-04. |
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Key Statistics: While
the efforts of Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, who finished
second and third in the NCAA scoring race last season,
were well-documented by all, Palushaj quietly put up
extremely impressive numbers in their shadow, scoring
10 goals and finishing second in the nation with 34
assists. Those 44 points made the sophomore-to-be the
first Michigan rookie to reach 40 points in his maiden
campaign since T.J. Hensick did it five seasons prior.
What He Does: Year in
and year out, Michigan has talent from top to bottom,
but finding the right mix for each line can be difficult.
Once coach Red Berenson and his staff matched Palushaj
with fellow freshmen Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin, the
Wolverines really took off, as the trio provided some
serious secondary scoring. Palushaj was an important
catalyst of this success, using his hockey smarts and
strong stick skills to get the puck to Rust and Hagelin
in opportunistic places and creating odd-man rushes.
He has been working with the coaching staff on not over-handling
the puck and moving his feet so that he can become even
more efficient, and take a few more shots himself.
The Bigger Picture: While
success certainly bonded Michigan’s entire team
together last year, Palushaj was particularly close
with his roommate Max Pacioretty, who continued what
has become a decade-long trend in Ann Arbor —
forgoing remaining eligibility to play professionally
— by signing with Montreal this summer. After
Pacioretty signed, there was speculation that Palushaj,
a second-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, would be
quick to follow. Assistant coach Billy Powers said that
he spoke with Palushaj in the days following Pacioretty’s
departure and Palushaj was feeling good about his position
in Ann Arbor. With Porter, Kolarik, and Pacioretty gone,
look for Palushaj to emerge as one of Michigan’s
pre-eminent offensive forces.
Michigan assistant coach Billy
Powers on Palushaj: “I think Aaron surprised
some people last year. When you look at his numbers,
he’s always been known as a good offensive player,
but was more of a goal scorer. He’s still a kid
who can score, but we saw more of his playmaking ability
and that he could get the puck to teammates who were
in a position to score.”
—
James V. Dowd |
