Jacques Lamoureux knows firsthand what it’s like to play against Michigan, Air Force’s NCAA Hockey Tournament opponent Friday.

Lamoureux played against the Wolverines twice as a freshman at Northern Michigan in the 2006-07 season before transferring to Air Force.

What did Lamoureux take away from his experience against Michigan?

“Their team now is the same as it was then, high-octane players,” he said, rattling off the names of some of Michigan’s top players, including fellow Hobey Baker Award finalist Louie Caporusso, like Lamoureux a sophomore forward. “They’ve got some big-time players on their team.

“You have to take away those guys’ time and space, be in their face all the time, finishing your checks, blocking shots, just doing whatever it takes to win championships.”

While legendary Michigan coach Red Berenson didn’t remember Lamoureux from his days at Northern, he knows about him now.

“I read a story about him and what he had to overcome, and it’s a great story,” said Berenson, referring to Lamoureux’s battle with depression in high school. “I’m sure he has to be a great kid to handle what he handled, and he’s obviously had a terrific season.”

Lamoureux’s Northern team split at Michigan in January 2007, losing 5-2 before winning 2-1.

In the first game, “We came out, didn’t execute and I think they beat us pretty bad,” Lamoureux said. “The next night, we did what we had to do and we ended up beating them in a tight game. It’s going to be the same thing here.”

He did not play in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, when Michigan eliminated Northern in two games. In fact, his first college postseason experience was in the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament.

“Just to have that feeling of playing in the playoffs, that one-game shot, was exciting,” Lamoureux said. 
”Just to be a part of this group has been one of the best experiences I’ve had in hockey. And it’s not over yet.”

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Gazette writer Jake Schaller contributed to this report

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