Michigan's Louie Caporusso (29) is checked during a game against Alaska last year, in which he had a goal and assist in a 3-1 win. Caporusso and the Wolverines head to Alaska for a two-game tournament this weekend.

AP file photo

The No. 4-ranked Michigan hockey team left today for Alaska, where it will start the regular season with two games at the Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage.

The Wolverines play Alaska at 9:07 p.m. Friday, and Alaska-Anchorage at 11:07 p.m. Saturday. It’s a long way to go for two games, and an especially long way to travel for anything but two wins.

“Well, I think (winning) just makes the trip so much more positive,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said. “You go all the way up there - it’s not like a one-hour bus ride. This will be a 10-hour trip going up there, and it’s a long 10 hours coming back.”

Win or lose, Michigan center Louie Caporusso isn’t a fan of the travel.

“I don’t like long road trips,” he said, “but I think it’s great for bonding, though, and it’s a great way to bring the guys together.”

It’s a trip that almost ensures the Michigan players will get to know one another, defenseman Chris Summers said.

“It’s gonna be a good bonding experience,” he said. “We’re gonna be on the plane with each other for seven-and-a-half hours. When we get there, you don’t really know anybody, don’t know where to go, so you’re kind of forced to hang out with your teammates and get to know them at a different level than you might here in Ann Arbor.”

Defenseman Steve Kampfer, who missed 16 games last year because of injury, is just glad to be able to make the trip this year.

“It’s my first trip up there - every year we’ve gone, I’ve been hurt,” Kampfer, a senior, said. “I’m probably looking forward to it the most. I think we’re all excited to get the first two NCAA games up there.”

Of course, it really only matters what one person thinks of the trip.

“I like it,” Berenson said. “I think it’s really good for our team. I’ve made the trip to Alaska more than anyone on this team, and I’m not complaining.”

Hunwick gets his chance in net

Unlike last year when a goalie competition between Bryan Hogan and Billy Sauer lasted for much of the season, Hogan has solidified his job as Michigan’s No. 1 goalie.

The No. 2 spot, however, has been more of a question mark.

When asked last week when junior Shawn Hunwick would see action, Berenson called his role that of a “relief pitcher.” Then, Berenson made his first call to the bullpen during Michigan’s 6-2 exhibition victory Sunday over Windsor.

After entering the game at the beginning of the second period, Hunwick made nine saves and allowed two goals. Hunwick was “nervous,” Berenson said.

“He fought it in the beginning,” Berenson said. “He got it together, and by the end of the game, I think he was feeling back in his groove. It’s hard when you don’t play any games, but now at least we have him ready when we need him.”

22 games scheduled to be televised

Fans can watch 22 Michigan games on television this year, divided between Fox Sports Detroit, Comcast Local, the Big Ten Network and CBS.

The first television games are Nov. 6-7, when Michigan plays two home games against Miami. Those games will be broadcast on Comcast Local.

A few television highlights are Nov. 13-14 and Jan. 29-30 when Michigan plays Michigan State, and Feb. 6 when Michigan plays the outdoor Camp Randall Hockey Classic at Wisconsin.

Most games - but not this weekend’s - are broadcast on 1050-AM WTKA. See Michigan’s schedule for complete television details.

James Briggs covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734.623.2557 or jamesbriggs@annarbor.com.