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]

 

[PuckPreps]

Kristian Epperson

US NTDP U-18

5'11"/166

Left Wing / Shoots Left

Where he's from: Epperson hails from Mequon, WI and is currently playing for the US NTDP U18 team.

What he brings: The smooth skating Epperson plays a sound positional game both offensively and defensively. Even though he hasn't lit the lamp much himself this year, he's generating a lot of shots which are resulting in rebound goals for his teammates. Epperson came to the NTDP from the Minnesota hockey factory of Shattuck St. Mary's, where numerous other stars have emerged over the years. He’s projected to be a late 2^nd round or early 3^rd round selection at the NHL Entry Draft next June.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Look for Epperson to enter Michigan as a bottom 6 winger who will also get time on the penalty kill. Consistent development will move him up the lineup as it did for TJ Hughes.

 

Aidan Park 

Shattuck St. Mary's Boy's Prep

6'1"/184

Center / Shoot Right

Where he's from: Park hails from Hermosa Beach, CA and is currently playing on the Shattuck St. Mary's Prep Team.

What he brings: Park plays a smart 200 foot game and reads off his linemates extremely well. He plays a tenacious forechecking game where he thrives on taking away time and space from defensemen in their own zone and battling hard on the boards. Park has shown at each level that he can put the puck in the net and also has good vision to find open teammates. He's projected to be a 5th or 6th round pick in next June's NHL Entry Draft but a lot will depend on if he goes to the USHL after his prep season at St. Mary's ends and how he does there.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Park is a player who I think will be put on the same developmental path as TJ Hughes when he joins the team. He will start out as a bottom 6 forward and as he earns the trust of the coaching staff, he will continue to move up the roster.

 

[Youngstown Phantoms]

Michael "Mikey" Burchill

Youngstown Phantoms

5'10"/161

Right Wing - Center / Shoots Right

Where he's from: Burchill hails from Mundelein, IL and is currently playing for the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL.

What he brings: Since moving from Dubuque to Youngstown in the USHL this year, Burchill has also moved from center to right wing and has adjusted well. After a slow start to the season, Burchill's ice time has been steadily increasing to where he's now playing just under 20 minutes a night, playing both on the power play and penalty kill as well as his regular shift. Burchill's size goes against him when it comes to puck battles, as he's only winning 45% of them, but one of his biggest attributes is his ability to distribute the puck, which is illustrated by his accurate passing percentage so far this season (north of 86%). One offensive area that we're sure the Michigan coaching staff would like to see Burchill improve at is his willingness to take the puck to the house and get some shots from there. Through the first 9 games of this young season, Burchill only has 4 of the 48 shots he's taken on goal from that area.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Burchill is a player who will probably play at least one more year in the USHL to see how his game and his physical stature develop but if he does come to Michigan, look for him to compete hard for a bottom six forward spot.

 

Brian Nicholas 

Sioux City Musketeers

6'1"/182

Center / Shoots Left

Where he's from: Nicholas hails from Scarsdale, NY and currently is playing for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. 

What he brings: Nicholas is a solid 200 foot player that loves the challenge of playing against the opposition’s top players. He's a smooth skater with good speed but needs to improve on his initial 3 stride quickness. Nicholas possesses a quick, hard release when the puck gets on his stick in the offensive zone, especially on the power play where all his goals have come from early this season. He's still learning to use better body position in puck battles and will get better as he continues to get stronger.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: There is a real chance of seeing Nicholas at Yost next year, but we think it's more probable to see him staying in the USHL one more season to work on his game. When he does arrive, look at him to start as a third line center and play on the penalty kill.

 

[Neutral Zone]

Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen

US NTDP U-18

6'/180

Left Defense / Shoots Left

Where he's from: Rheaume-Mullen hails from Northville, MI and is currently playing for the US NTDP U18 team.

What he brings: Rheaume-Mullen is an excellent skater which allows him to be aggressive defensively by taking time and space away from opposing forwards and maintaining a tight gap in the neutral zone. He makes hard, accurate passes, allowing his team to break out of their zone easily and also initiating neutral zone transition. As with most young blueliners, there are aspects in Rheaume-Mullen's game that need improving and offensive play is high on the list, but if there is one thing that the Development Team does well, it is develop.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Based on his lineage, with mother Manon Rheaume being an excellent goalie for Team Canada and a pioneer in women's hockey and brother, Dylan St. Cyr, also a goaltender and thorn in the side of Michigan hockey, look for Dakoda to continue to strive to be a solid well-rounded defenseman. Based on the lack of depth on Michigan's blueline, look for him to start next season as a bottom pair defenseman.

 

Hunter Hady

Chicago Steel 

6'4"/205

Right Defense - Shoots Right

Where he's from: Hunter Hady hails from Rochester, MN and is currently playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL. 

What he brings: The latest commit to the Wolverines will add much needed depth and size to the blueline. Hady is a defensive defenseman that has the mindset and skillset needed to protect a one goal lead in the last minute of a game. He reads the ice well and can make hard, accurate breakout passes or if necessary, lug the puck out of the zone. He's a beast in board battles and does a good job using his size to box out opposing forwards in the front of the net and doing it without taking penalties. Offensively, you won't see him wind up for the big clapper from the blueline very often, but he does a good job of pinching down the wall to keep plays alive in the offensive zone.

'Crystal Puck' Projection: Look for Hunter Hady to start next season as a 6th or 7th defenseman at the start of the season, and as he adjusts more to the speed of the NCAA, look to see him used in specific shutdown situations and eventually be lined up to play against the opposition’s top forwards.