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Posted on Wed, Jan 6, 2010 : 3 p.m.

Michigan hockey forward Carl Hagelin plans for a productive second half

By Jeff Arnold

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Michigan junior forward Carl Hagelin leads the Wolverines in every offensive statistical category but says he needs to do more if Michigan is to turn its season around in the second half (Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com)

Measuring Carl Hagelin's contributions to the Michigan hockey team isn't tough. First in point production. First in goals. Tied for the team lead in assists.

But it's not long before the junior forward talks about how much more he has to do if the Wolverines have any chance at making their 20th consecutive NCAA appearance later this spring. Michigan enters its home-and-home series with Western Michigan with a 10-10 record.

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Hagelin, with 10 goals, 10 assists and 20 points, is the most consistent performer on Michigan's roster. He has at least one point in 14 of the last 20 games and tallied a goal and three assists in the Wolverines' two-game split at last week's Great Lakes Invitational.

But with his team mired in 10th place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings, Hagelin insists he hasn't done enough.

"Me - just like everyone else - needs to pick it up in the second half," Hagelin said Tuesday. "It felt good the last 8 or 10 games. I think the whole team has been playing better and better, and we need to take that with us and start winning."

Of late, Hagelin's goals haven't exactly been YouTube highlight reel material. Rather, he's often cleaned up on second-chance opportunities.

"It's important for me to find the puck around the net and be more patient," Hagelin said. "Sometimes, that's hard - especially at home. You get a good chance and the whole crowd goes crazy and you just shoot the puck. But it's important to be patient."

After registering a single-season best 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) last season as a sophomore, Hagelin has gotten stronger, allowing him to clear out more space around the net and to create chances.

Michigan coach Red Berenson refers to Hagelin as the team's hardest worker, playing at full speed whether it is in games or in routine practice drills.

In games, Berenson has seen Hagelin skate around defensemen or out-skate them to get to a loose puck, making him Michigan's most dangerous player. Although Hagelin is far from being alone in his desire to do more to improve Michigan's CCHA and NCAA chances, Berenson appreciates Hagelin's attitude to improve on a daily basis.

And if Hagelin's hard work can rub off on his teammates, Berenson believes the Wolverines could be headed for the kind of CCHA run they've become accustomed to over the past two decades.

"We're still challenged by a lot of players on our team that have to play better," Berenson said. "And they will probably tell you the same thing - that they've got to do more. That's a good attitude to have whether how well or how poorly you're playing.

"But it's good to hear your best player say that. They're not going to become complacent. They're going to be pushing themselves all the way, and Carl does that every day."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.

Comments

hattrix

Wed, Jan 6, 2010 : 4:47 p.m.

Carl Hagelin is the most exciting player to watch on the team! Best of luck to him and his teammates in the second half of the season!!