No college hockey program has ever assembled a team like Michigan’s this season.
The Wolverines, who open the season Friday at home against Lake Superior State, boast a roster that features seven first-round draft picks – the most ever on a college team – and six other players who are NHL selections.
It is no surprise they begin the year ranked No. 3 nationally given the talent on the team, but the Wolverines also understand there is a lot to prove this season.
A convoy of NHL scouts will be tracking every game Michigan plays this season with the national spotlight shining brightly in Ann Arbor. The team, expectedly, has national title aspirations, but it is not heeding the preseason hype.
“I think that’s probably going to be our biggest concern, just to make sure that we stay focused on the task at hand and control what we can control, because you’re right, there’s going to be a lot of eyes on us,” Michigan head coach Mel Pearson said during last week’s media day. “There is noise out there that we need to make sure we take care of…
“We’re more than seven or eight guys. We’ve got a pretty good hockey team, but I think we need to make sure we can control what we can control, keep our eyes on the prize and continue to play.”
The Wolverines return nine of their top 10 scorers from last season’s team that ranked ninth in scoring, averaging 3.5 goals per game. That includes three of the first five picks in July’s NHL draft: defenseman Owen Power (No. 1 overall, Buffalo Sabres), forward Matty Beniers (No. 2, Seattle Kraken) and forward Kent Johnson (No. 5, Columbus Blue Jackets).
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Two of the team’s top four scorers – forwards Thomas Bordeleau and Brendan Brisson – were top-40 picks in the 2020 draft.
Combine a strong returning cast with one of the top freshman classes in the country that includes 2021 No. 4 overall pick Luke Hughes and No. 24 pick Mackie Samoskevich, and Michigan will have plenty of skill that permeates throughout the lineup.
“The biggest goal is to get them to play for the for the common good of the team and to play for Michigan, not for (the NHL teams that own their rights),” Pearson said. “They’re here to play for Michigan, and that’s why they all came back. They know that there’s something special here and that they can have a special year, but they all have to get on the same page. We have to make sure that we do our job there to help them get on that page, and then go for it.”
Several of Michigan’s draft picks could have opted to turn pro after last season, but they believe they have unfinished business from last year. The Wolverines earned a No. 2 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament but were forced to withdraw before their first game because of COVID-19 protocols.
Last season’s freshmen also didn’t get a true college experience with no fans in the stands and taking classes online.
“I think the way we ended last year definitely kind of pushed it over the edge,” said Beniers, who had 10 goals and 14 assists as a freshman. “We didn’t really get a real shot at playing in the national tournament, so I think that’s one of the reasons why I came back. I think another year for development and getting another year done in school was also definitely part of the choice. The combination of those two things and then everyone’s coming back, we’re gonna have a really good team and I love it here in Michigan.”
With so much young talent on the roster, Michigan only has one player with NCAA Tournament experience: fifth-year senior forward Michael Pastujov. The Wolverines last reached the tournament in 2018, when they advanced to the Frozen Four before losing to Notre Dame on a late goal.
“That’s a concern,” Pearson said of the team’s NCAA Tournament experience. “The last two years, we were right on the brink. I think that was one of the biggest disappointments for our coaching staff is just to get those guys a game and in that situation, and we didn’t. I can’t go down to the 7-Eleven just down the street here on Main Street and buy NCAA Tournament experience…
“When you get to that one-and-done tournament, it’s a different baby. We’ve had one player play in that, so all the pressure is going to be on him to provide that leadership if we get to the tournament. Obviously, that’s the goal. We just got to get there first, and then once you get there, anybody has a chance.”
As the team’s season-opener approaches, Pearson said he is encouraged by what he has seen in practice so far. Michigan also had an exhibition game on Saturday, a 7-1 rout of Bowling Green.
“The practices that we’ve had have been very competitive, very high paced, very high spirited right off the get go,” said Pearson, who is entering his fifth season as Michigan’s head coach. “I have been doing this -- this is my 40th year now at the Division I level coaching, and I can say that this year has been as competitive on the ice as any of them.”
NHL Draft picks on the roster
Defenseman Owen Power - 2021 first round, No. 1 overall (Buffalo Sabres)
Forward Matty Beniers -- 2021 first round, No. 2 overall (Seattle Kraken)
Defenseman Luke Hughes - 2021 first round, No. 4 overall (New Jersey Devils)
Forward Kent Johnson - 2021 first round, No. 5 overall (Columbus Blue Jackets
Forward Mackie Samoskevitch - 2021 first round, No. 24 overall (Florida Panthers)
Forward Dylan Duke - 2021 fourth round, No. 126 overall (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Forward Brendan Brisson - 2020 first round, No. 29 overall (Vegas Golden Knights)
Forward Thomas Bordeleau - 2020 second round, No. 38 overall (San Jose Sharks)
Forward Ethan Edwards - 2020 fourth round, No. 120 overall (New Jersey)
Defenseman Jacob Truscott - 2020 fifth round, No. 144 overall (Vancouver Canucks)
Forward Johnny Beecher - 2019 first round, No. 30 overall (Boston Bruins)
Goalie Erik Portillo – 2019 third round, No. 67 overall (Buffalo)
Forward Eric Ciccolini – 2019 seventh round, No. 205 overall (New York Rangers)
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