Berenson on Werenski: “This is an exceptional player who is coming in a little younger than most players”

By @MichaelCaples –

The University of Michigan formally announced today that Grosse Pointe native Zach Werenski will be joining their hockey program in time for the 2014-15 season.

Werenski, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, is graduating high school a year early to join the Wolverines. Michigan coach Red Berenson said in a release that he is excited to have Werenski joining the program.

“This is an exceptional player who is coming in a little younger than most players,” Berenson said. “I’m expecting Zach will be an impact player in our program. It’s nice to see a kid so focused on school and hockey at the same time.”

MORE: Zach Werenski signs letter of intent to play for Michigan Wolverines a year early

Werenski will be the youngest freshman to ever enroll during the Red Berenson era for the Wolverines, joining four other players who were 17 years old during their entire rookie season in Ann Arbor (Mike Cammalleri, 1999; Jason Botterill, 1993; Doug Evans, 1988; Randy Kwong, 1986).

“The most difficult thing for younger players is the maturity level and social change going from high school to college, but Zach is mature beyond his years,” Berenson said. “He’s like Jason Botterill in that sense. I think he’ll fit in really easily.”

Werenski is no stranger to playing up an age level, however; the 6-foot-1, 201-pound defenseman played for the Little Caesars U18 Midget Major club at age 15, and played for the Belle Tire U16 Midget Minor club at age 14.