Milan
Gajic scored 20 points for Michigan in a 12-game stretch
following last season's holiday break.
Key
Statistics: His 33 points in 40 games was the third-best
total among Michigan skaters last year. He shared the team
lead in power play goals with T.J. Hensick and Eric Nystrom
– each had a half-dozen PPGs in 2003-04.
What
He Does: Prior to last season, Gajic was better known
for what he didn’t do. The enigmatic forward scored
22 points as a freshman and 21 as a sophomore, but was prone
to disappearing for long stretches. Whether his production
spike last season was a result of becoming more mature or
being put on a line with Hensick, a slick passer, Gajic looked
more like the player who scored 98 points in 50 games in his
last season of junior hockey.
The
Bigger Picture: Gajic’s tendency to be a non-factor
for games at a time was still evident last season. He had
four goals and four assists in the Wolverines’ first
17 games, then recorded 8-12—20 in the team’s
next 12 contests. That offensive explosion preceded a seven-game
scoreless streak, though Gajic bounced back to score five
points in Michigan’s last four postseason games. Still,
the combination of Hensick’s passing and Gajic’s
hands – he’s got arguably the quickest stick in
the CCHA – was unstoppable at times. He’s not
one to create his own opportunities, however, surprising for
a guy who was so successful in juniors. If he learns to make
his own scoring chances, he could be one of the CCHA’s
dominant offensive threats.
Miami
assistant coach Jeff Blashill on Gajic: "He’s
got a great stick. He’s one of those players who only
needs one chance to hurt you...and if the guys on their team
get him the puck, he will hurt you.”
