Photo by Bruce Stotesbury – Times Colonist
As a member of the University of Michigan Wolverines hockey club, Nolan DeJong will not have an opportunity to play outdoors in the Big House (Michigan Stadium) this season, instead settling on Dec. 27 and 28 dates against Western Michigan and either Michigan State or Michigan Tech at Comerica Park.
For now, the Victoria resident is glad to be home.
The 18-year-old former Victoria Grizzlies’ defenceman is in his freshmen season with the Big 10 club. But the Spectrum grad is playing more minutes than he did last season in the B.C. Hockey League.
“It’s great to see friends and family, and friends playing Grizzlies like Shawn McBride, Dante Hahn and the [Fitzgerald] triplets — guys I haven’t seen in three months,” said DeJong, who has skated this week with his old team.
“I’ve been staying in contact with them while I’m there, but it’s not like playing on the same ice again.”
DeJong — who has four assists in 14 games and 17 blocked shots (fourth highest on the Wolverines) — is due back in Ann Arbor on Tuesday in preparation for the two outdoor games.
He’s fallen in love with his new surroundings.
“It’s hard to describe with words,” he said. “It’s a pretty incredible place. I’ve been having an unbelievable time. I knew I would, but it’s been far and above anything I can imagine.
“The school atmosphere is second to none. The hockey program is second to none. We’re having a good year (10-2-2 overall) and it’s a great group of guys — skilled, but they all have such a great work ethic.”
And he’s getting a chance to play.
“I’ve been thrown right in the mix,” said DeJong, who has not yet declared his major, but is leaning to sports management. “I’m playing a lot of power play and five-on-five, so I’m getting a lot of minutes.
“The coaching staff seems to have a lot of faith in me so I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Which means he’s gaining confidence.
“Especially with a coach like Red Berenson, who has obviously seen a lot of hockey players come through his program,” DeJong said of the former NHLer who is in his 30th season at Michigan “For him to have that faith and confidence means a lot to me, but it also means my hard work is paying off. I have to continue to work hard to stay where I am.”
He’ll spend the next few days at home before preparing for the outdoor games. “You see those games on TV and it will be nice to battle the elements and have that experience, like playing on the pond,” said DeJong, who hopes to get tickets to the NHL Winter Classic between Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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