When Michigan dropped a 4-1 loss to Miami (Ohio) last Friday, the back of the net was hard to find.

But one thing the sixth-ranked Wolverines never have to search for is a quality defenseman. They have seven, possibly eight players ready to step in at any moment and defend Michigan's zone.

So late in the third period, with typically prolific Wolverine scorers like T.J. Hensick and Chad Kolarik struggling to light the red lamp, Michigan coach Red Berenson dipped into his deep defense corps. He sent Jack Johnson to the forward position, hoping for an offensive spark.

The sophomore blue liner is known for his menacing hits and slick defensive moves. But Johnson's offensive numbers show he's capable of flourishing at forward, too.

"Everyone knows the ability Jack has to make big plays and create stuff on his own," said senior captain Matt Hunwick, who often skates with Johnson on the top defensive pairing. "Being up front, it kind of gives him more freedom to join the rush every time. He gets the puck in his hands a little bit more often, and that puts him in a position to score."

That's exactly what Johnson did on Friday, notching Michigan's only tally of the game, a power-play score with less than two minutes to go in the third. The hard wrister from the left faceoff circle zoomed past RedHawk goalie Jeff Zatkoff to spoil his shutout.

Last year in his freshman season, Johnson ruined many opposing netminders' nights by racking up 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists), the most ever for a freshmen defensemen at Michigan.

And with so many defensemen able to roam the blue line, Berenson and his assistant coaches have talked about putting Johnson up front since practices started this season.

"Jack is a special player," Berenson said. "He definitely could be a power forward. I think he could be an effective forward. Right now, he's been playing a lot of defense. He sees himself as a defenseman . but he has the skills to be a forward."

Still, defense is Johnson's bread and butter. His ability to patrol the zone and make smart plays - with and without the puck - make him highly valuable to the Michigan blue line.

Johnson doesn't seem to have any strong emotions when it comes to playing forward, saying he is first and foremost a defenseman.

"I thought it was a fun experience," Johnson said. "I wasn't really sure exactly what to do at all times, but I just figured we needed a goal so I was looking to create some offense."

Johnson wasn't the only back liner playing out of position on Friday. Senior Tim Cook has checked in as a forward three games this season.

Up to his elbows in defensemen, Berenson has had to decide what to do with everybody. The longtime Michigan coach, always an advocate of player development, has opted to give freshmen Chris Summers and Steve Kampfer quality ice time.

This doesn't leave much room for Cook on the blue line, but Berenson likes having the veteran as a forward because of the intangibles he brings.

"Cookie gives us something that the average player can't," Berenson said. "He's a team player, he's enthusiastic. He'll do whatever it takes to help the team. He's growing with that position, too - he never played forward before. But you can see he knows how to play the game."

In the long hockey season, it's hard to know how much time Cook and Johnson will see as forwards. There's no telling what injuries or other roster changes could happen. But if Berenson needs two defensemen to jump up to forward, he won't have to search to find them.