At 6-foot-4 and 200-plus pounds, Michigan sophomore Mike Komisarek is the biggest player Michigan coach Red Berenson has ever had at Michigan. His physical presence on the ice is the main reason why he is Michigan"s top defenseman, and one of the top blueliners in the league.

Komisarek was named CCHA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts at the College Hockey Showcase. It is the first time in his career he has won the award.

The only thing is, Komisarek was actually Michigan"s best offensive player this past weekend, scoring three of the team"s seven goals over the two games.

In fact, with 10 points already this season, Michigan"s top defenseman is slowly turning into one of it"s most potent scoring threats from the blue line.

Selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Komisarek already has one more goal this season (5) than he had in 40 games last year. His 10 points puts him third on the team, behind juniors Mike Cammalleri and John Shouneyia.

Komisarek"s lethal slapshot from the point is raising eyebrows all across the league. Both of Komisarek"s goals in Michigan"s 5-3 win over Wisconsin Saturday night came off blasts from the point. His second goal came shorthanded, the first of his career.

"The one thing you notice is that he shoots heavy and that he passes heavy," Berenson said. "When he snaps off a pass, you better be hanging on to your stick, because he passes with authority. He learned how to pass and shoot well before he got here."

Even with his size, Komisarek has at times displayed the athleticism and quickness of a forward on the ice. Berenson has also been very impressed by his mental preparation this season.

"For his size and his age, he"s a much better player right now than he should be," Berenson said.

Last season, junior Jeff Jillson was arguably Michigan"s most talented offensive defenseman. But his premature departure for the NHL opened the door for Komisarek to lead the defense. Berenson feels that the bar has certainly been raised for the young player, but that he is up for the task.

"When Jillson left, it was a challenge for him to increase his role," Berenson said. "He"s establishing himself as a physical defenseman because people know who he is now. He"s doing it defensively and offensively."

Offense has always been something Berenson left up to his forwards. But with such a limited number of experienced players up front this season, Berenson doesn"t mind seeing some of his defenseman jumping into the play.

"I think that it"s a bonus if your defense scores," Berenson said. "The way the game is being played now with all the man-on-man coverage, the only player that"s open sometimes will be a defenseman, and they need to get a shot through or get a pass to a forward.

"We want the defense to be available. We want them to jump into holes when there is a spot or an opening for them."

Komisarek has done that and more for the Wolverines this season, displaying leadership and experience on a team in need of both.

"He"s grown so much over the past year, and he"s got all the tools to be a top NHL pick," Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn said. "You can tell that he"s got a lot more confidence with the puck now."