Blue-liner Burlon impressive as rookie with Wolverines

Nobleton's Brandon Burlon enjoyed an impressive first season with the Michigan Wolverines, being named to the CCHA All-Rookie team, while compiling 15 points in 33 games, after missing the first eight games of the season with a high ankle sprain. Photo by Jon Yaneff The University of Michigan men's hockey program is as prestigious as they come, with the Wolverines clawing their way to nine National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in their history.

As a freshman with the Wolverines, Nobleton's Brandon Burlon has been able to flourish this season, becoming one of the team's best defecemen. After missing the first eight games of his rookie campaign with a high ankle sprain, the 19- year-old was able to put together an impressive season, which included being one of two Michigan players to be selected to the Central Collegiate Hockey Associations All-Rookie team in March, which was voted by the association's coaches.

"It was really exciting and an honour because I didn't get all the games in that I should have," said Burlon, whose five goals, 33 blocked shots and fivemulti point games led the Wolverines defencemen this season. "I was pleased with myself that I played well enough to their (the coaches') eye in the games that I did play and I can just keep trying to work harder and make the all-CCHA team next (season)."

Burlon compiled 13 points, including four goals in 24 CCHA games, which put him second among rookie defencemen in the conference. He also had 10 assists for 15 points and a plus/minus rating of plus-14 in 33 games overall.

The Wolverines as a team were number 3 in the nation with a 29-11-1 record, after facing a depleted defence core to begin the year, as team captain Mark Mitera (knee) and Steven Kampfer (neck) both joined Burlon on the disabled list at the beginning of the season. Near Christmas, the team was ranked 14th in the county, but then exploded going 13-3 heading into the CCHA quarter-final, which they won, two games to one against Western Michigan. The Wolverines then beat the Alaska Nanooks, 3-1, in the first championship game, before losing to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 5-2, in the CCHA final.

It was also the 19th consecutive year Michigan were invited to the NCAA tournament under the guidance of Head Coach Red Berenson, which they lost in the East Regional game against the Air Force Falcons, 2-0, March 27.

"I think I learned a lot and I developed as a player and as a player, being around older guys," said the six-foot 190-pound Burlon, on the who was drafted in the second round of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, 52nd overall to the New Jersey Devils. "But, I can just keep hoping to improve and contribute to my team, whenever and however I can. At the same token you can't let it get to your head. I mean sure I did what I did, but I got to look to improve upon it next season, or else it looks like I'm not playing to my potential."

The other Michigan player to be selected to the CCHA All-Rookie squad was forward David Wohlberg, who was also drafted by the Devils in the same draft, but in the sixth round. New Jersey won the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division this season with a 51-27-4 record, before losing in the Eastern quarter-finals to the Carolina Hurricanes, four games to three. Game 7 of the series at New Jersey was lost 4-3 in the last minute, after having a 3-2 lead with 1:20 to go in the deciding game.

"What happened to New Jersey was unfortunate, (32 seconds) left and their season's done, but that's hockey for you," Burlon said. "I can't say enough about them (though). They're a very highly respected in the NHL world to regards of how their organization is run. I just hope I get a chance to play for them some day."

His coach Berenson provides plenty of experience as a former graduate from the Wolverines hockey program, eventually becoming head coach in 1984. In that time Berenson has led Michigan to 10 Frozen Four appearances and NCAA championships in 1996 and 1998. He has also won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1965, along with compiling 658 points (261 goals, 397 assists) in 987 career NHL games with the Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings.

Burlon and his teammates will complete a six-week workout and class program, beginning Monday (May 5) because the Wolverines don't have a full course load during their hockey season and time conflict with their schedule. This will end in the middle of June, where Burlon will come home for the summer and train with his former triple-A Vaughan Kings minor coach, Scott Kerr and a couple of Ontario Hockey League players in a facility in Milton.

"Three summers (ago) I started working out with him and it worked wonders for me," said Burlon, who would then return to Michigan in the fall for his second year of his four-year literature arts and science program.