NCAA: Roaming Through Michigan

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese has notes on several Michigan Wolverines, including Phoenix Coyotes' first rounder (2006) Chris Summers and the nations sixth leading scorer Aaron Palushaj, a St. Louis Blues second-round pick in 2007. Palushaj was recently named to the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team, which will participate at the World Under-20 Championship (WJC) in Ottawa Ontario.

Chris Summers (Phx), D, Michigan

Phoenix Coyotes first rounder and the Wolverines captain, Summers is a legit prospect, but one that should really make a bigger impact on the game when you add up all of his attributes .. thoroughbred skater that boasts exceptional speed and agility even by NHL standards, as he possesses powerful strides and phenomenal recovery speed .. hands are becoming softer and he's executing a crisp first pass .. making quicker decisions with the puck and is progressing his ability to see the ice in front of him when breaking it out of his own end .. can still be clumsy with the puck and brain cramp at times, but he should be commended for his newly found confidence in attempting to make the big play .. jumping into the offensive attack more frequently and even kick-started a two-on-one while killing a penalty by exploiting his wheels off an opponent turnover .. employees his encompassing mobility to strictly maintain tight gaps and his exceptional feet coupled with his consistent physicality supplies him with strong defensive coverage down low .. looks like a possible No. 4-6 NHL defenseman in the making.

Aaron Palushaj (StL), RW, Michigan

One of the most productive players in college hockey, what makes Palushaj so effective is his willingness to do all of the dirty work despite being arguably the most talented player on the Michigan roster .. still plagued by his sluggish acceleration, although he's working hard on his skating by committing to utilize stops and starts, and he also appears swifter out of turns now .. possesses soft hands with a lively stick and is an equally adept playmaker or scorer .. a very intelligent player that anticipates the game remarkably well, Palushaj is instinctive with the puck in the way he knows what he wants to do with it even before he receives it .. has an endearing work ethic and is unyieldingly competitive, as he sticks his nose into everything and disrupts the puckcarrier with his forecheck and back pressure .. type of player that is difficult to play against both with or without the puck and projects as a potential second or third-line winger in the NHL.

Brandon Burlon (NJ), D, Michigan

A mobile two-way defenseman that can move the puck, Burlon is playing in all situations and is receiving time on the powerplay as a freshman .. a strong and fluent skater with quick all-compass mobility and great feet .. possesses the soft hands that enable him to move the puck crisply or if needed, he can finesse it and displays a nice touch pass when called for .. remains poised with the puck while under fire and doesn't have to force things because of his slippery escape-ability .. mildly creative, Burlon often elects for the high-percentage play and will only jump if an open opportunity clearly presents itself .. thick-bodied but not overly aggressive, Burlon handles himself well defensively in one-on-one situations .. very steady right now and is receiving plenty of icetime.

Carl Hagelin (NYR), LW, Michigan

The type of player that grabs your attention and refuses to let go, Hagelin is a quick and inventive two-way forward .. boasts lively startup strides and quick feet that provide him with the type of speed to skate the puck around any roadblocks .. a savvy offensive player that likes to run give and go's, Hagelin also operates well without the puck and admirably presents his stick in the open ice for his teammates to find .. creative with superb vision and is excelling at making plays through the passing game .. equally impressive on the defensive side of the puck, where he positions himself properly and is a valued penalty killer .. his anticipation really jumps out, as he's often the first player back to break up a dangerous play around his own net .. smallish and not overly physical, but is tireless in pursuit and wins many pucks through shear hard work .. a good prospect in the Rangers system.

David Wohlberg (NJ), C, Michigan

Robust defensive specialist that can manufacture offense through hard work .. the type of skater that covers a lot of ice in just a few strides because they have good strength behind them .. deceptively has the speed to get to the outside on a defender and will pay the price to score by never hesitating to drive the net with the puck .. attacks the goalmouth at every opportunity, often taking the shortest and most physical route to get there .. his defensive game is what stands out the most, as his backchecking and defensive support are exceptional .. still needs to work on his faceoffs, but the puck tends to find him in his own zone because he's always in position .. clearly Michigan's top penalty killer and does a nice job employing his thick frame to clog the opponents point options .. strong along the wall and wins the majority of one-on-one puck battles he takes on .. definitely a New Jersey Devils-type-of-player.

Robbie Czarnik (LA), RW, Michigan

Fast and physical winger that brings his lunch pale to work every day .. a strong skater with good speed through the neutral zone and coming down the wing .. needs to put some lotion on and soften up his hands, as he doesn't receive passes well and also doesn't shield effectively .. does have a few moves but he doesn't see the ice well and lacks creativity, as he tends to dead end himself when carrying the puck .. provides a lineup with a lot of energy and great puck pursuit both on the forecheck and while supplying back pressure .. seeing time on the powerplay, but projects more as a grinder at the higher levels of hockey.