Diaries

M Downing shaking hands pregame. Taller than all the refs... nice.

I had the pleasure of attending the U17 5 nations tournament last night in A2. Team USA's captain is the newest UM hockey commit Michael Downing. He is every bit as big as advertised, just needs to fill out a bit, which will not be an issue as he only recently turned 16.

In his own zone, he was physical showing a quick stick and a bit of a nastiness to his game. His break out was good, both passing and skating, will just need to improve on the quickness of his decisions in this area as he move up competition. His skating was very good and he used it to jump into the offensive rush on several occasions. He was part of the first PP unit and scored a PP goal as he crashed the net, grabbed a rebound, made a move and roofed it from in tight. Showed some real nice hands for a big kid and a Defense man at that. Did all that ANDshowed the composure to stay out of the box in a one sided game that was getting chippy late. 

In short, I was very impressed with the kids game and size. And the coaches must be impressed with some intangibles to have named him captain. To my untrained eye UM is getting (please no more defections) a very good one.

I was also impressed with a couple other kids. Big forward Michael Turner showed great hands, with decent skating - this look to be a little awkward maybe due to recent growth spurt? But when he fills out and gets his feet under him, he will be tough to stop.

Adam Erne was also very good. Always seemed to be around the net with a good control on the puck. Another kid with some size, seems to have grown into it a little quicker than Turner.

The Goaltender Demko was top notch. Big kid, stayed square to shooters, only let one in. Was very good at controlling the puck for the most part, smothering it when needed, kicking it way out or deflecting it up into the netting. i think he was 6-3.. little different look than UM has currently.

Lastly, my favorite kid to watch was Daniel Vanderwiel. A little shorter, but very well built and loved to use it. Several nice open ice hits, rubbed guys out along the boards. Was very physical all game long. The Czech players were looking out for him all game. Just has to do a better job of controlling the puck once he crushes the puck carrier and holding it along the boards, then you might have a little Tkachuk on your hands. 

Saw a ton of NCAA coaches there including Billy Powers. Hopefully he was making some inroads with a few of the other kids.

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On the recent commitment of Kyle Kalis, many Michigan fans became excited at landing such a highly rated prospect
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And they have reason to, because Kalis will develop into a great contributor on the football field
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yes
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But, THE KNOWLEDGE laughs at many folks on this website and other places that think they know which prospects to get excited about
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Many indeed was the  number of folks that were considerably less excited about the commitment of a less heralded, and mostly unknown, prospect to the 2012 Michigan class
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these people are idiots
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and the name of that prospect is Sione Houma
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yes
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The proprietor and #2 writer on this blog, B. Cook himself seemed less than thrilled about the commitment of Houma; naturally less knowledgeable ordinary fans followed suit
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but THE KNOWLEDGE is not ordinary as everyone knows
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THE KNOWLEDGE soars and basks in glory due to his great abiltities, more than anyone can ever dream of
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yes
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with the future in hindsight, THE KNOWLEDGE reveals that Houma is the most important commitment of the class
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He will be the best player on the field, and will earn muti-year All-American honors
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yes
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On to other matters
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The event most people are awaiting in the next few days is the decision of the NCAA on the heinous violations committed at OSU
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so they can know if the answered THE QUESTION correctly
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yes
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THE KNOWLEDGE, of course, already knows the result, but will not reveal it in order to keep the excitement growing until it reaches a crescendo

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THE KNOWLEDGE will return in the future to congratule the winners of THE QUESTION and also to reveal the season review for Michigan
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yes
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Hoke's presser:

T-Wolf:

Press Release:

August 8, 2011

For IMMEDIATE Release

Media Contact: Justin Dickens (734) 763-4423

U-M Football Fan Day and Athletic Department Garage Sale Slated for Sunday, Aug. 14

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football program will hold its annual Fan Day on Sunday, Aug. 14, at Michigan Stadium. The autograph session and opportunity to meet the 2011 Wolverines team will run approximately from 2-3:30 p.m. EDT.

Prior to Michigan football’s Fan Day, the U-M Athletic Department will hold a garage sale from 8-11 a.m. at the indoor track building, which is located just beyond the right field fence of U-M’s baseball field.

Items for sale include football jerseys, football pants, footballs, shoes, polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, basketball practice jerseys, warm-up jackets, warm-up pants, robes, gloves and other merchandise.

Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Fan Day at Michigan Stadium is free and open to the public. All gates at the Big House will open starting at 1 p.m. Parking will be available in the lots adjacent to Michigan Stadium and Pioneer High School. In order to expedite the autograph process and accommodate as many fans as possible, players and Head Coach Brady Hoke will autograph one item per person.

Hoke will sign autographs on the Michigan Stadium field, and his line will be accessible only through the main tunnel on the east side of the stadium. Michigan players will be signing autographs along the north and south concourses at the concession stands by position groups. The offensive players will be located along the north side of the Big House between sections 29 and 38, with the defensive players residing on the south side between sections 8 and 13.

Please visit MGoBlue.com for player autograph locations.

All fans in attendance also will have the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to games against Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, San Diego State and Minnesota as well as autographed items signed by Head Coach Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson. To find out how to enter to win, please visit the Michigan Sports Marketing tables located at sections 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 in Michigan Stadium

/press release

Football's media is also on Sunday prior to the fan day, so look for plenty of content early next week.