Luke Glendening is as unassuming as they come, content as a behind-the-scenes contributor.

When the sophomore associate captain scored twice last weekend in the Michigan hockey team’s 2-0 win over No. 9 Ferris State, teammate Louie Caporusso jokingly assumed Glendening's role in a post-game press conference, dishing out credit to everyone else but himself.

That, as anyone who knows Glendening, is just the way he's always been. Glendening arrived at Michigan just hoping to catch on with Red Berenson's team. Without a scholarship and no glistening hockey resume', Glendening quietly went about his business.

"I really don't like to be in the center of attention," Glendening said. "But I, obviously, like to help the team out. I like to score, but I think there's always somewhere else the spotlight can be shown, someone else who is doing the right thing as well."

Glendening spent much of his first season as one of Michigan's penalty-killers before moving into more of an offensive role. The more self-assured Glendening became, the more comfortable his teammates found themselves playing off of his skill set.

By the end of last season, Glendening received the team's Most Improved Player honor. Three of his six goals served as game-winners.

When the Wolverines voted on team leadership roles prior to the season, Glendening was chosen as Michigan's associate captain, thrusting him into a leadership role. Glendening, now on a partial scholarship, wasn't certain he was ready.

Berenson assured Glendening that he had indeed earned the 'A' that appears on his sweater and told him not to change and to continue to make a name for himself through his work ethic.

"He's the real deal," Berenson said. "He's not carried away with himself, he's not star-struck, he appreciates being at Michigan, he really appreciates being on the team, and he takes advantage of it every day."

Glendening now skates on Michigan's second line with Caporusso and David Wohlberg. With Michigan attempting to position itself into a top-four slot in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings, Glendening's leadership through example becomes even more vital.

So as he has since he arrived last year, Glendening will play his part, hoping to add to Michigan's chances of extending its run of NCAA Tournament appearances to a 20th straight year.

And although the Wolverines are 0-2 against rival Michigan State this season, Glendening realizes that getting another shot at the Spartans this weekend with a Friday game in East Lansing and a Saturday game at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit could steer Michigan in the right direction.

"We all know what's at stake at this point in our season," Glendening said. "I think we know the importance of every game. We've been saying, 'Yeah, there's time, yeah there's time,' but now's the time. There's no more extra time."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.