Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson said Friday he isn’t particularly worried about the starting goaltender situation for the coming season, reinforcing his support for incumbent starter Shawn Hunwick.

As for finding a backup, Berenson and his staff may soon be looking to the intramural leagues.

After playing in the annual Michigan alumni game at Yost Ice Arena on Friday (see slideshow), Berenson downplayed the effect that John Gibson’s decision to turn pro just five weeks before school will have on this year’s team.

“We have Hunwick as our starting goalie and it doesn’t get any better than that,” Berenson said.

Berenson has said all along that Hunwick would remain the starter, but thought Gibson could provide a healthy dose of competition.

The timing of Gibson's decision leaves some unconventional options on the table in terms of finding a third goalie to challenge Adam Janecyk -- the only other goalie on the roster -- for the backup role.

Berenson said his staff will be looking to see if there’s any talented players already enrolled at the university to add to the roster.

“Those are the discussions we’re having now: who’s available and where are they?" said assistant coach Brian Wiseman. "Whether it's here at the university already -- someone enrolled that’s not too far removed from hockey -- and are still playing hockey here. But at the same time, looking at who can maybe get an early admission.

“I think all options are probably open at this time, really."

Outdoor game still on?

Discussions have picked up again regarding the possibility of an outdoor game between Michigan and Ohio State at the Progressive Field in Cleveland, home of the Cleveland Indians.

Berenson said he didn’t know what the final decision is yet, but that he expects to hear soon.

“We’re not in on (the discussions), but I think if we’re going to hear anything we should hear next week,” Berenson said. “We should hear either way.”

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he’d been copied on a few emails regarding the possible outdoor game. One year removed from planning the Big Chill at the Big House, he opined on why a final decision hasn’t been made.

“I think what they’re finding out is that putting one of these together is pretty difficult,” Brandon said.

Hinnegan's still got it

More than six decades worth of former Wolverines took to the ice on Friday and Berenson, 71, wasn’t the elder statesman.

That honor belonged to Berenson’s former linemate, Al Hinnegan.

Hinnegan and Berenson were both in the class of 1962, but Berenson was quick to point out that Hinnegan was “the oldest guy in the game.”

Hinnegan, 72, said he planned to phone himself in as a healthy scratch after hearing there wasn’t going to be a separate game for the older players.

He changed his mind last minute, and it was worth it.

Hinnegan scored the first goal of the game, giving the Blue team an early 1-0 lead.

“Nothing like scoring goals,” said an elated Hinnegan after the game.

Crossing Shields

Before the alumni game, former Michigan and NHL goalie Steve Shields took a tour of the renovated football facilities. After checking out the new locker rooms, he went to Schembechler Hall and ran into football coach Brady Hoke.

“I was really impressed with him,” Shields said. "It was so refreshing to walk into Schembechler and see the ticker coming across, to see the amount of days before we play the team from Ohio, and I was really excited when I left about the presence coach Hoke has about him.”

Shields was with former Wolverine and current Calgary Flames center Brendan Morrison when he ran into Hoke.

The Wolverines' coach had knowledge of both of their careers, pointing out that Shields left Ann Arbor just one year before Hoke arrived to become an assistant on Lloyd Carr's staff in 1995 and that he remembered being on campus when Morrison was on the team.

“The fact that he’s aware of the guys that come in and try to contribute and leave a stamp on the place is something that makes us feel really good,” Shields said.

Focus on the scoreboard

The former players weren’t the main attraction of the night.

That honor belonged to the brand new, high-definition scoreboard hanging above the Yost ice surface. The screen lit up the arena and one fan even marveled, “This was worth is just to see the scoreboard.”

Berenson agreed.

“I can’t wait to see play by play on it and replay,” Berenson said. “It’s so crisp and sharp.”

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2561, by email at petercunningham@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @petcunningham.