During the past 10 weeks, sophomore Matt Rust has been the exception to a strange rule.

When the center on the Michigan hockey team joined Team USA in December for the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ont., he was stuck in the worst slump of his collegiate career. In his 13 games prior to the international tournament, Rust had managed just two points, both assists.

His offensive rut stemmed in part from struggles in the faceoff circle, where the Bloomfield Hills native was converting an uninspiring 48 percent of his draws.

In theory, taking a temporary leave from Division-I hockey would serve as a nice mental refresher. But Michigan coach Red Berenson said he has seen plenty of players leave for the World Junior Championships during winter break and come back with bad experiences, which can carry over once the second semester begins.

But in Rust's case, the tournament jump-started one of Michigan's most impressive second-half performances. In eight games with Team USA, including two exhibitions, Rust notched four goals and four assists.

And Rust brought the surprising offensive success back to Ann Arbor with him. In 17 games this semester, Rust has scored nine goals and five assists. His 14 points since January are tied for third-highest on the team in that span, and he’s currently in the middle of a four-game goal streak.

Rust said his 180-degree turn for the better was inevitable.

“I think it was a combination of both me being so bad, you couldn’t possibly get any worse, and me getting a little bit more confidence,” Rust said. “Normally, you go (to World Juniors) and you play the best-of-the-best talent. … I thought I got my scoring touch back over there, and was able to carry it over here.”

Rust’s resurrected offensive output has been linked to marked improvement in the circles. Rust has won a stellar 54.7 percent of his draws this semester, something he attributes to sharper focus, better luck and his linemates reaching in for pucks that result in a faceoff win.

Whatever the reason, Rust is defined as an offensive player by his success on the draw.

“If you’re stealing some points and some goals, and you’re not playing well (overall), then you’re really kidding yourself,” Berenson said. “That’s like winning games you don’t deserve to win. Pretty soon, that’ll catch up with you. My whole thing with Rust was getting him to play harder and to be more prepared every night to play well, and to keep it simple.”

Rust’s offense has been given a huge lift by sophomore wingers Carl Hagelin and Aaron Palushaj, who also played alongside Rust last year. The three were reunited Jan. 23 against Michigan State, and the line has since tallied a combined 19 goals and 29 assists in 14 games. Of those totals, Rust is responsible for eight markers and four assists. He attributes those stats to the line's chemistry that has developed over the last two seasons.

“Them knowing the type of player I am, it makes things a lot easier,” Rust said. “I can have my head down and pretty much know where both of them are on the ice.”