Many collegiate freshman forwards start their career in hopes of scoring as many goals as possible. After all, statistics are what gets them noticed in the junior leagues.

But that doesn’t concern Chris Brown.

“My first shift, my first goal was to get hit or make a hit,” Brown said. “I love to play physical.”

And it is Brown's physical prowess that has made an impression on the players and coaches.

“We haven’t had someone to really chirp the other team as much as he’s been doing it this season,” junior forward Louie Caporusso said. “And I think that kind of gets the other team off their game and in their head.”

In the team’s second game of the season last Sunday, Brown was a big part of the Wolverines' victory. Not only was his hard-hitting on display, but his ability to put the puck in the back of the net was evident.

The Flower Mound, Texas native — who is the first Wolverine hockey player from the Lonestar State — led Michigan in scoring in his first weekend of college hockey, notching two goals and one assist, and with his performance cemented his spot on the team’s powerful second line for the time being.

Pairing Brown with junior forwards Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin, Michigan coach Red Berenson called attention to the talent of his second line to score at will.

“Everyone can’t be a power forward, but Chris has the size, the strength, the body and the mental makeup,” Berenson said. “He fits the bill really well. We have other guys that are going to play physical, but that’s one of his best attributes that he brings to the table.”

Brown isn’t the tallest player on the team at 6-foot-2, nor does he have the bulkiest frame (194 pounds), but the Texan’s intense and hard-nosed style of play makes him one of the Wolverines' most imposing players.

And the positive impression he has made in just a few weeks of official practices with the team is a testament to the youngster’s ability to affect a game.

“He’s adding physicality,” Berenson said. “Our whole team has to play physical, but it’s a lot easier when you’re a big, strong kid (like Brown).”

With gritty senior forward Brian Lebler playing on the third line, Brown uses his skill set to allow for more scoring opportunities for Hagelin and Rust, who combined for a total of 53 points last season.

But don’t count Brown out when it comes to scoring goals. He’ll be the first to tell you that his shot is one of the strengths of his game.

As a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team last year, Brown led the squad in goals (42) and points (74). Those numbers were enough to attract the Phoenix Coyotes, who selected him with the 36th overall pick in last year’s NHL Entry Draft.

And with the lack of scoring depth behind 2008 Hobey Baker Award finalist Caporusso on the first line, Brown’s offensive prowess could be essential when the team needs someone to put points on the board.

“He can definitely be a first liner and I think he will be,” Caporusso said. “We’re only two games in and it’s hard to tell, but I expect, from what I’ve seen, for him to be a great power forward.”

Added Berenson: “The scoring adds the finishing touch."