Tuesday, May 23, 2006

MacVoy leaving Wolverines for USHL

BY ANTOINE PITTS
Ann Arbor News Sports Reporter

Zac MacVoy is seeking a fresh start to his hockey career.

He won't return to the University of Michigan.

Instead, he'll do a year of junior hockey that will lead to another college destination.

MacVoy didn't play in 12 of Michigan's final 15 games and didn't see that changing much with the same number of forwards on the roster for next season.

He told the coaching staff following the season that he'd like to pursue a transfer. MacVoy's freshman campaign consisted of appearing in 20 of Michigan's 41 games. He tallied one goal and three assists.

While MacVoy is being re-recruited, he'll play next season for the Omaha Lancers, who selected him in the second round of the United States Hockey League draft.

"Me and my family decided that it was best for me to move on and pursue other options,'' said MacVoy, a Livonia native who spent two seasons with USA Hockey's developmental program. "I'm hoping to go back to juniors, polish my game and get better in every aspect.''

Michigan coach Red Berenson wasn't available to comment.

MacVoy said the Michigan coaches were supportive of his wishes, letting him remain on scholarship for spring term so he can take classes and work out at the arena.

To be eligible immediately in the fall of 2007, MacVoy will have to complete an associate's degree at a community college, which he'll be well on his way toward with his credits from Michigan.

MacVoy, who is 6 feet, 2 inches and 215 pounds, said he learned a lot from his year with the Wolverines, but was disappointed he couldn't play more.

"I didn't want to sit in the stands my whole four years, so I thought it would be a perfect time to leave, and hopefully I'll get a new start,'' MacVoy said.

Because MacVoy is just beginning the process, he has no wish list yet of future colleges.

It's not easy for MacVoy to say goodbye to a school he enjoyed and all of the teammates he became close to, but it's a move he feels must be done to further his hockey career.

"I loved the school and I loved the guys,'' MacVoy said. "It's a hard thing to leave, but me wanting to play kind of outweighs all that. They understand, and they're real supportive.''

Antoine Pitts can be reached at apitts@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6819.

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