hockey recruiting

I don't think this is a real thing. Jeff Goodman asserted that May had received assurances that admissions wasn't going to be as much of a problem for him as it was for Juwan Howard, something that Sam Webb said he had not heard. My assumption is that this is a game of telephone several persons downwind of this conversation:

Sources say Beilein sat in on the first hour or so of the meeting between Manuel and May, answering a number of basketball specific questions about how he built his program, how he recruited, and how he dealt with admissions. It was a meaningful assist.

I doubt there has been a conversation between Santa Ono and the dean of LS&A about letting guys into school, unfortunately.

Staffers. Potential names from 24/7's Davis Moseley:

Got some interesting names to monitor in various staff roles:

LaVall Jordan, Bill Armstrong, Adam Howard, John Beilein.

— Davis Moseley (@DavisMoseley) March 24, 2024

Two of those names will be familiar. Adam Howard is a grad assistant at Indiana currently who knows May well; Indiana fans are bizarrely upset at the prospect of losing him because they credit him with a lot of the recruiting grunt work. Bill Armstrong is a wild name: he was the associate head coach at LSU until Will Wade got sent to Bolivia by the NCAA. He's cooling his heels at Link Academy—the school Tarris Reed was at—this year. If that came to fruition that would be your recruiting guy, I'd imagine. I'm skeptical it does.

[After THE JUMP: portal time]

Sponsor Note. Well, here's a guy you may know.

Download the Autograph app, use the code "mgoblog", and you'll get all your Michigan content in one place, plus get rewarded for doing the things you're already doing. The more points you get, the more exclusive merch (like a signed Roman Wilson shirt), apparel (a custom shirt launching next week), and experiences (FAM tailgate tickets).

Do it now! It is the critical time! 

Don't you judge me. Hey, folks: some of this is pretty old. Non-Signgate roundup stuff got put on the back burner for obvious reasons. Do not yell at me for posting old stuff. It is rude.

Consistent but not explosive. This is from before the Purdue game, but I don't think the numbers from that game are going to change the bottom line here (click for big):

You've got Michigan with one of the best adjusted line yards in the country and a barely above average rate of highlight yards.

Better than "neither," though. I continue to wonder how PSU is going to move the ball on Michigan's defense:

Penn St has played Illinois, NW, and IU. The 3 worst defenses in yards per rush against in the B1G. 75th, 88th, 95th nationally. Here's how PSU did against them:

Illinois
Season: 4.2
Penn St: 4.1

Northwestern
Season: 4.35
Penn St: 3.4

Indiana
Season: 4.44
Penn St: 3.1

— jamie mac (@justcoverblog) October 30, 2023

51 points against Maryland is something to perk your ears up about but they only managed barely over 400 yards of offense against November Maryland and got a lot of scoring opportunities from turnovers; I'm expecting PSU to look about the same as they did against OSU. 

[After THE JUMP: draft prospects, crootin']

Michigan Hockey has been on a bit of a recruiting rampage recently, ripping off a series of commitments for its next few recruiting classes. Today we will attempt to break down a few of them, gazing into our 'Crystal Puck' to see what they can bring to the Wolverines in the future. As we aren't privy to the coach’s plan on when to bring players into Michigan, some off the players listed below may come in next year, while others may end up spending another season or two of development in the USHL. Two final notes: a few of the players on this list are from the USNTDP, others from regular USHL clubs. Additionally, we should also point out that there are no goalies listed here, as Stephen Peck, Michigan's lone goalie commit, is playing in the NAHL and may be a couple years away. The future of the crease will be something for Michigan to figure out in the coming months. 

Christian Humphreys

US NTDP U-18

5'10"/160

Center / Shoots Right

Where he's from: Christian Humphreys hails from Pittsburgh, PA and is currently playing for the US NTDP U18 team.

What he brings: Humphreys' decommitment from Michigan State and commitment to Michigan is probably the second biggest recruiting news story in college hockey this year next to Cole Eiserman flipping from Minnesota to Boston University. In Humphreys, Michigan is getting a centerman with great offensive skills, who is deceptive with the puck and has an explosive and deadly accurate shot. Currently, Humphreys is projected to be a late first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, with the only critiques about him being his size, which is comparable to Frank Nazar III, and his defensive play without the puck, which is something that is teachable and not an uncommon issue for young, skilled forwards. Look for him to make an immediate impact when he arrives at Michigan as a player who drives an offensive line.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: With either Frank Nazar III or Gavin Brindley (or both) possibly leaving Michigan after this season, I'd expect Humphreys to be slotted in as the 2nd line center for next season behind TJ Hughes, with the possibility of surpassing Hughes as the season moves along. 

Michael Hage

Chicago Steel

6'1"/190

Center - Right Wing / Shoots Right

Where he's from: Michael Hage hails from Mississauga, Ontario and is currently playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL

What he brings: The talent pipeline from the Chicago Steel to the University of Michigan just keeps flowing with Michael Hage next in a long line of players including Owen Power, Brendan Brisson, Mackie Samoskevich, and Nick Moldenhauer. Hage is projected at this time to be an early 2nd round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and looks to bring size, speed, and skill along with a high hockey IQ. Hage likes to shoot the puck when given the opportunity, which is reflected so far this season through him averaging over 3 shots on goal per game for the Steel. The biggest deficiency in his game is his play without the puck, which has periodically landed him in the doghouse with the Steel coaching staff. Hage has previously played center but has been shifted to right wing for the Steel so far this season, and if that trend continues, he will give the Wolverines coaching staff a lot of flexibility when it comes to slotting him in the lineup.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Look for Hage to be slotted into the 3rd line right wing position for next year, perhaps below Moldenhauer and a Dylan Duke or Josh Eernisse. His offensive skills far outweigh his defensive shortcomings and playing the wing will help the Maize and Blue establish a game down low in the offensive zone, which helps take pressure off the defense.

[AFTER THE JUMP: More prospects]