TRAVERSE CITY -- Red Berenson said he feels like a fox in a henhouse.
The University of Michigan hockey coach attended Detroit Red Wings training camp in Traverse for the second straight year at the behest of Wings coach Mike Babcock, and says the experience is one to remember.
That's something, coming from the 25-year coach at one of the nation's premier college programs.
"I'm more of an observer and a guest of the coaches," Berenson said. "I think I'm a little selfish in that I'm benefitting more than the Red Wings are."
Berenson helps the Wings with on-ice drills, player critiques and coaches the third team in scrimmage games.
After guiding Michigan's top line that included Hobey Baker winner Kevin Porter (63 points), Chad Kolarik (56) and Max Pacioretty (39), Berenson's team fielded a forward line of Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom on Monday as Team Delvecchio dropped a 4-3 intrasquad shootout loss to Team Abel.
"Last year, I had the best line in college hockey," Berenson said, "and this week I might have had the best line in pro hockey."
Detroit players appreciate the collegiate coaching legend and 2008 national Coach of the Year lending a hand in camp.
"Babs asked him if he wanted to come and be a part of this and be a helping hand," said defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. "It's great to see him out there."
Fellow blueliner Brian Rafalski played against Berenson's Wolverines -- as did other Wings such as Brett Lebda, Justin Abdelkader, Jimmy Howard and 2007 first-round pick Brendan Smith -- during his college days at Wisconsin.
"He was a fiery guy," Rafalski said. "And I played with (U-M alum) John Madden in New Jersey and he told me a few stories about him. But I'm not going to go into those."
One face Berenson was a little surprised to see was Eric Elmblad's.
The former Traverse City North Stars defenseman -- and current Wolverine -- has his image adorning Centre ICE Arena.
"Good for him," Berenson said. "He's a good kid, a great student and he got to play last year in the NCAA tournament. He's been a depth player for us. When we've needed him to come in, he's played well."
Elmblad made the U-M squad as a walk-on two years ago and earned his first varsity letter last year as a sophomore. He appeared in three games, including an NCAA Tournament win over No. 19 Niagara.
Elmblad has a knack for being on good teams.
In high school, he won a state title at Marquette, then claimed the Robertson Cup with the Texas Tornado in 2004-05, helped the North Stars to their only NAHL playoff appearance in 2005-06, and then racking up 59-20-5 mark with the Wolverines, including a trip to last year's Frozen Four.
"Eric was in the right place at the right time, because we had an open spot and we needed a defenseman," Berenson said. "We weren't surprised when he made the team.
"He was a little older, so that helped him. He played a couple of years in juniors for some more experience. He skates well and is a very coachable kid. There's some things he found he had to improve on, but he has a good base. He's accepted his role. I hope he plays more this year."
Last year, Elmblad won U-M's Carl Isaacson Award as the team's top academic athlete.
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