Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know that Michigan Hockey's 2020-21 season has come to a close due to positive COVID tests within the program just days before they were slated to take on Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA Tournament. It's an extremely disappointing end to what was a solid season, and the conclusion of the season means that this will be the final Hockey Weekly column of the year. To commemorate the close of the campaign, I'm going to touch on three main topics in this piece: a roster review of each player, general thoughts on the season/trajectory of the program, and what to expect next season/a preview of the incoming freshman class. 

 

Roster Review 

Forwards

Matty Beniers, C - Fr.: Beniers finished at exactly a point per game, posting a 10-14-24 line in 24 games. Though Beniers was a late addition to the roster, only committing after Harvard canceled their hockey season, it's hard to imagine what this team would've looked like without him. From pretty much the get-go Beniers was one of the team's key playdrivers, anchoring a line with fellow top prospect Kent Johnson and while both have NHL toolkits, anyone who watched a significant chunk of the season knows it was Beniers who made the line go. He's a savvy playmaker, a great competitor, and played a 200 foot game from the moment he arrived in Ann Arbor, playing real minutes on both the PK and the PP. Even with the 2021 NHL Draft being the most unsettled draft in at least a decade, Beniers is as close to a lock as you can be at going in the top five this July. Few people think he's NHL-ready, which simply means whether he returns to Michigan in 2021-22 comes down to whether the team who drafts him wants him to continue developing in the AHL or the NCAA. TBD on that, but if he's back, he should be in the Hobey conversation next year. 

Kent Johnson, F - Fr.: KJ was Beniers' linemate and he's the team's most creative player. Johnson was second on the team in scoring with a 9-18-27 line in 26 games, but that doesn't tell the full story. An inordinate amount of Johnson's points were secondary assists, and as mentioned above, he was not the playdriver on his line. Still, his mix of skill and hockey IQ made him a valuable weapon in the offensive zone and there were moments of brilliance. Two plays against Minnesota come to mind. KJ's season was also somewhat frustrating, as he struggled at times to adjust to the NCAA's playing speed and often seemed to be trying to do too much, when an easier and better play was more available. All of that said, there's enough on tape for some NHL teams to see him as a Trevor Zegras-lite, which means he's slated to go in the top 15 of the NHL Draft. He's the least NHL-ready of Michigan's draft eligibles in my mind, which consequently means he's probably the most likely to get a second year at Michigan. 

Thomas Bordeleau, C - Fr.: Michigan's leading scorer from this season, Bordeleau was simply magnificent. He put up an 8-22-30 line in 24 games for a 1.25 points per game clip and the eye test generally agreed. Bordeleau got more dynamic as the year went along, and simply put, San Jose Sharks fans should be very excited about Bordeleau's future. His hands are as soft as a baby's bottom and he sees the ice so well. His success as a freshman means there is a chance that the Sharks move him to the AHL next season to continue his development, but like Beniers, there's also a chance he's back in Ann Arbor. If he is, we will be on Hobey-watch. 

Brendan Brisson, RW - Fr.: Brisson was probably Michigan's most improved player from the start of the year to the end. The freshman tied with Beniers for the team lead in goals (10) but he progressed mightily. Back in November Brisson was mostly Just A Shooter who lacked the ability to play in his own end and who struggled with taking bad penalties. By the end of the year he had found chemistry with Bordeleau, was dangerous on his own in the OZone, and had begun to fix his discipline issue. Given that he didn't explode this year (21 points in 24 games), I think it's more likely than not that Brisson is back in Ann Arbor for a sophomore campaign, but as with all of these guys, don't bank on it. 

Eric Ciccolini, F - So.: There was a substantial drop off in scoring between the Big Four listed above and the next group of depth scorers. Ciccolini is one of the most promising of that group, starting cold in the fall but heating up in the second half, as he finished with 10 points in the 16 games he appeared in in 2021. That provides a promising springboard for next season. As a 7th round pick of a franchise loaded with young prospects (New York Rangers), Ciccolini is quite likely to spend four years in Ann Arbor unless he blows up next season, which obviously would be very welcome. And something I think is possible. We've seen flashes from Ciccolini, and if he gets to play with, say, Beniers or Bordeleau next season, I could see him making an upperclassmen jump. 

Johnny Beecher, C - So.: Few players have been more frustrating than Johnny Beecher during his time at Michigan. The 2019 first round pick of the Boston Bruins showed flashes of his talent in an up-and-down freshman season last year and Mel Pearson clearly thought highly of him entering this season. Throughout the fall he kept trying to put Beecher in big spots, centering the top line and playing on PP1, but it quickly became apparent that he was not one of Michigan's two best centers. Like Ciccolini, Beecher was significantly better in the second half of the season but his year ended early with injury. Perhaps more alarmingly, Beecher's PPG clip (0.50) was lower than it was in 2019-20. At this point it's fair to say he simply doesn't have the skill level of Bordeleau or Beniers, but there is still real talent: Beecher's a big body who skates well and can handle the puck. If Beecher is back as a junior, Michigan needs more from him. If he can't create chances with skill, he's got to find some other way to do it. The question is whether Boston chooses to move him to the AHL or somewhere else to jumpstart his stagnant development, or if they still trust Pearson's group to unearth Beecher. I don't have an answer to that. 

 

[AFTER THE JUMP: More Roster Review, the recruits, and feelings]

 

​The other half of the forwards did more of this [JD Scott]

Nick Granowicz, F - So.: Granowicz entered the season expecting to play a complimentary role and he was basically that. He scored 11 points in 25 games, very similar to his freshman year, and most of those goals were in familiar fashion: greasy rebounds in front of the net. His production is admirable given that it came almost totally at 5v5 (he had little PP time) and we basically know what Granowicz is: a solid middle six winger who knows his role. Nothing special but a solid piece who Michigan should expect to have in the lineup for two more years. 

Michael Pastujov, F - Sr.: Unless Pastujov comes back for a COVID-redshirted 5th year, the reign of Pastujovs in Ann Arbor is over. For the third time in his four years in the Maize and Blue, Pastujov finished with exactly 9 points. Unlike some of the younger players on this team, Pastujov was stronger in the first half and then faded in the second half. His 7 goals were timely early on, but Mikey Pasta simply never became a high-impact player at Michigan and so replacing him should not be terribly difficult. 

Jack Becker, F - Sr.: Captain Jack is departing Michigan as a grad transfer and it makes sense: though he scored 9 points in 23 games, Becker has always been a complimentary player and his playing time may have been slated to go down with more talent arriving next year. He rode in the sidecar next to Johnson and Beniers and got PP time, but it still didn't result in significant production due to his limited offensive touch and athletic abilities. Becker was a good program guy who helped build the early Pearson regime, but like Pastujov, I don't see replacing him as much of an issue for the 2021-22 squad. 

Luke Morgan, F - Sr.: Continuing this brigade of offensively limited seniors, Morgan scored 8 points in 26 games. Luke was a good skater, which allowed him to mesh with some of the wunderkind freshmen. Unfortunately, his offensive abilities meant he struggled to finish many of the chances his speed produced, perhaps the NCAA version of Darren Helm. Again, the Wolverines will have plenty of more talented guys to fill this hole next season. 

Jimmy Lambert, F - Jr.: Mel Pearson has long been fond of Lambert, but I often struggle to see his upside. Lambert posted a 1-6-7 line in 22 games this season and that kind of feels like the player he is at this point in his career. He can pass a little bit but isn't a good shooter, and simply lacks high-end collegiate skill. Is there a role for him on the third line? Maybe. But as Michigan's roster gets more talented next season, he may get crowded out of a role. 

Nolan Moyle, F - Jr.: The first component of the famed Moyle-GVW-Raabe line, Moyle is Michigan's scrappiest and most physical player. He likes to hit and is a swarming forechecker with a knack for scoring big time goals. Now headed into his senior year, he should be a leader on Michigan's fourth line and I expect him to be sewn to the hip with Van Whye for a fourth straight year. 

Garrett Van Whye, C - Jr.: GVW just completed his third season as Michigan's fourth line center and he's pretty much fit his role perfectly every year. Though he only scored 5 points in 21 games, Van Whye does everything that's required for him: winning faceoffs, grinding on the forecheck, and killing penalties. I see no reason why he shouldn't be back in that role next to Moyle next year, albeit probably looking for a new winger. 

Dakota Raabe, F - Sr.: Raabe continued to be his usual self when he got to play, as he spent half of the year dealing with injuries. He's a lightning quick fourth liner who doesn't have a ton of offensive skill. He kills penalties and is good for the occasional breakaway, and if he is indeed done at Michigan, he's another player who is very replaceable. 

Philippe LaPointe, F - Fr.: Phil LaPointe got to play a bit during the middle stretch of the season. He showed a bit of touch around the net but rarely jumped off the screen, scoring just two points in 14 games. With some degree of forward attrition upcoming, expect LaPointe to get a chance to have a bigger role next season. 

 

Defensemen 

​It will be big for Michigan if Owen Power puts on the Block M again next year [JD Scott]

Cam York, D - So.: York is the first Michigan underclassman who we know is gone for sure, having signed with the Flyers already. York improved in his second season and his 20 points led defensemen in scoring. Though he doesn't have the pure offensive touch that Quinn Hughes did, I thought he was better than Hughes defensively, and his ability to move the puck on the PP and activate offensively makes him an interesting player as an NHL prospect. I don't see 1D NHL upside, but he should comfortably fit into an NHL top-four capacity within a couple seasons. York will be difficult to replace given the amount of minutes and difficult situations he played, but then again, Michigan won't be lacking in defensive talent in 2021-22 (more on that later). 

Owen Power, D - Fr.: Power was the player who every Michigan fan was most interested in watching this season, as he's long been seen as a contender for the #1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. It's unclear if he will be picked 1OA, but at the very least, he seems a lock to go top five-ish (like Beniers). Power frustrated at some points but he's still got a lot of raw upside. He's not a burner but is still a smooth skater with long, powerful strides, is good in transition, and seemed comfortable activating in the offensive zone. Defensively there were some bumps but his long reach helps to nullify a lot of plays that he sometimes can lose initially with his shaky gap control (which could improve). I'd like to see him get a bit more physical in his own end and win more puck battles, but he played this whole season at 18 (his first games were at age 17). Point is, he's very young. I could easily see him back at Michigan for a second year, but he could also be in the AHL. A jump to the NHL seems less likely. 

Nick Blankenburg, D - Jr.: Blankenburg is a guy who I continue to think is the favorite to be Michigan's captain next season. He's been a great team player and program-builder since he arrived on campus two years ago and his wide range of skills makes him a team leader by example. Blankenburg is small, yes, but he can skate really well for an undrafted overager, is one of Michigan's better defensive defensemen, has a wicked wrist shot and a good slapshot, and can move the puck. I've long thought there's a chance he gets a look at an AHL/ECHL contract after he leaves Michigan, but that may hinge on next year. With York leaving and Power in question until the draft, Blankenburg is going to be Michigan's most important pillar on defense and I expect to see him play big minutes in all situations for the 2021-22 squad. 

Jack Summers, D - Jr.: Summers had a rather bumpy season, playing extremely poorly in the fall and then suffering an injury that sidelined him for the month of January. He returned in late February playing much better and had a key goal against Minnesota in the game that sealed Michigan's tournament berth. Over his three seasons with Michigan, Summers has been a solid middle or bottom pair defenseman who can score a little bit but is generally defensively solid. Nothing flashy, but outside of the disastrous fall 2020, Summers has been capable and for that reason, I expect to see him in the lineup next year. 

Keaton Pehrson, D - So.: Pehrson is a stay-at-home defenseman who Mel paired with Cam York to help balance out York's offensive tendencies and overall it wasn't terrible. Keaton Pehrson was perhaps the most infuriating player to watch at times because he is a very good defender at defending. As in, when he doesn't have the puck, he's good at stopping the opponent from scoring. His gap control is fine, he wins enough board battles, he blocks shots, etc. But simply defending off-puck is only half of the job of being a stay-at-home defender. The other half is making the first pass and assisting on breakouts and that's where Pehrson struggled. It often seemed like his brain scrambled when he was asked to touch the puck, leading to bad turnovers in all three zones, and too many failed breakouts. If he can just improve at making the first pass to help break the puck out, he could be a terrific defensive defenseman. Let's hope he can make those improvements in the offseason. Regardless, expect him to be in the lineup next season after two years of being a regular. 

Jacob Truscott, D - Fr.: Truscott started the season strong, especially defensively, but then tailed off in terms of noticeability as the season went on. However, sometimes it is better to not get noticed as a defenseman and there were only a few games where he was obviously bad in his own end. For a first year playing at the NCAA level, it could've been a lot worse. Truscott's not a big-time puck mover but he does have a big slap shot and I expect him to see a bigger role next year. 

Jay Keranen, D - So.: Keranen got to play a bit when Summers went down with an injury and he surprised most of us by being very solid. He even scored his first NCAA goal, although some of that goodwill vanished the next day on a brutal late-game meltdown against MSU. I don't see a starting job for Keranen next year with the amount of talent coming in at defense- in addition to the returning defensemen- but you can do a lot worse than Keranen as a depth defenseman. 

 

Goalies

Strauss Mann, G - Jr.: Mann was very good again for the Wolverines, his second straight season of excellence. His .930 SV% and 1.89 GAA speak for themselves, as do his five shutouts. He's established himself as an elite goaltender in NCAA Hockey and the only question is whether he chooses to play one more season in the Maize and Blue. There have been reports by well connected scouts that a number of NHL teams are prepared to offer him a two-way contract to begin his pro career, so the question is not whether there's interest. The question is about if Strauss wants to play one more year in college. We know from Adam Schnepp's profile of him a year ago that Mann grew up a Michigan fan, so it's not inconceivable he could come back to try and win a national title, but he also doesn't have anything left to prove. The door to the AHL is open, it's just a matter of if Mann is ready to walk through it. 

Erik Portillo, G - Fr.: The mammoth Swede didn't make a start until January, relieving Mann a few times before that, but what we got to see of Portillo was very promising. His stats were actually better than that of Mann, but I don't think there was anything in the eye test to justify that discrepancy. They were just as good as the other, with Mann having more experience (which is why he got to start in the postseason). But the fact that Portillo seemed to be just as good as Mann as a freshman is a pretty damn good sign about his future, given how much praise I just lavished on Strauss. Portillo's role in 2021-22 really depends on what Mann chooses to do: if Strauss bolts, Portillo will be your everyday starter, a proposition I feel okay about. If Mann is back, expect a platoon of sorts, because Portillo is only going to get better. 

 

Not mentioned

I didn't mention Jake Gingell, Josh Groll, or Jack Leavy because they simply did not play enough to get a reading. I do not foresee either of Gingell or Leavy having major roles on the team next season, given that they are fringe depth guys, though Groll could play his way into a bigger role since his recruiting profile was promising. He'll have a shot to do so, at least. 

 

The Incoming Freshmen Class

​Luke Hughes headlines the incoming freshman class [Rena Laverty, USA Hockey]

As always in college hockey, you never know for sure which players will actually be on the roster out of the high number of commitments Michigan has. The players who we know are very likely to be on the roster are the following: 

- Luke Hughes, D: Hughes is the brother of Quinn and Jack, the youngest brother, and also the tallest (6'2"). Like his brothers, he's a phenomenal skater and is loaded with skill. He's not seen as quite a creative offensive defenseman as Quinn, but being a bit bigger, Luke has some advantages over Quinn as well. Luke is projected to go in the top five-ish of the 2021 NHL Draft and will show up to Ann Arbor in the fall. He recently suffered a bad knee injury but he should be good to go next year. There will be a major role for Hughes on next year's team. 

- Dylan Duke, C: Duke is a slightly undersized, high skill centerman who has been with Hughes at the USNTDP. Duke is seen as a borderline first round pick who probably is more likely to go in the second round of this summer's NHL Draft. With 44 points in 43 games, Duke is the USNTDP's #2 scorer this season. His high talent-level means he should fit comfortably into Michigan's top six. 

- Mackie Samoskevich, F: Like Owen Power, Samoskevich is a product of the absolutely loaded Chicago Steel program in the USHL. Samoskevich is a late November 2002 birthday, so he's actual rather old for his draft year and is seen as a highly touted draft prospect, likely to go in either the late first round or early second round. Like Duke, I see a top six- or at least top nine- role for Samoskevich on next year's team. 

- Ethan Edwards, D: Edwards is already 18 and was drafted in last fall's NHL Draft in the fourth round by the New Jersey Devils. Currently in the USHL, Edwards has a bit of offensive touch, currently leading his team (Sioux City Musketeers) in scoring by a defenseman. Michigan's blue line could be crowded next season depending on how the offseason turns out, but I would expect a player of Edwards' talent to play. 

- Mark Estapa, F: Michigan flipped Estapa from WMU, a Jan. 2002 birthday and a player currently in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm. Scouts have long liked Estapa but it's in this season that his production has finally matched his hype, jumping from 5 points to 31 points in 2020-21. He's not an NHL prospect but he'll be in the mix to get playing time next season, depending on how the offseason goes. 

- Luca Fantilli, D: Yet another Chicago Steel product, Fantilli is a Canadian defenseman whose commitment attracted more attention because his brother Adam is seen as a top prospect for the 2023 draft. But on his own Luca is a solid player who may well get drafted this summer. Again, the blue line will be cluttered and Luca Fantilli may well be third in line among freshmen to get a spot, but if nothing else he's an interesting developmental piece. 

- Finlay Williams, F: Williams is a BCHL player who we don't have a ton of information on simply because the BCHL hasn't played many games this season. He was a solid player in that league in 2019-20, but that season was a long time ago. He was included on NHL Central Scouting's watch list, so there's a chance he could go in this summer's NHL Draft. 

 

2021-22 Outlook & Thoughts on the Program

​Hopefully more hugs in the future [Marc-Gregor Campredon]

So now that we've gone through the roster and the incoming freshmen, let's take a quick look at what next season holds and also talk about our feelings on Mel and where the program is headed. 

 

Looking to next year

It's very tough to project next season until we know which players will be back. Of the five guys who are most pivotal that could leave (Bordeleau, Brisson, Beniers, KJ, Power), I think it's fair to guess that at least 2-3 will be back. There's a chance that that number could be as high as 4-5, though. It's just tough to know until a while in the future. If you can get one of Beniers or Bordeleau back, that would be terrific because both will be downright terrifying in year 2. If somehow you get both back, well, look out NCAA. Getting Owen Power back would also be huge, simply because he could slide seamlessly into the role that York held, but again, don't bank on it. 

The defense should be sturdy, with Blankenburg, Summers, Truscott, and Pehrson all penciled into my mental brain lineup, as well as Luke Hughes. If Power is back, that's probably your starting six. If he's not back, then add Ethan Edwards or Luca Fantilli to the starting lineup. As mentioned previously, it's either a Mann/Portillo platoon in net, or it's the Portillo show. No matter what, Michigan should be strong there. 

So it really just comes down to the offense. If you get one of your top two centers back, that's a starting point. If you can get one of your top two wingers back, that's also big. Beecher's a bit of a wildcard, but he'll be either 2C or 3C if he's back. Samoskevich will get to play right away in the top six, as will Dylan Duke. Ciccolini should have a top six role and Granowicz may as well. It's really tough to project out our season expectations until we know the roster but there's a high floor with this group given the situation at D/G, so long as they get a couple NHL dudes back. If they get the 4-5 I mentioned earlier, this should be a top five team wire to wire. Only have to weather a Michigan Hockey Summer until we know which. 

 

Feelingsball on Mel and the Program

​Mel Pearson is pointing at YOU [JD Scott]

So after four seasons of Mel Pearson, how do we feel? His record sits at 68-55-15 in four seasons and he's taken the team to the NCAA Tournament twice, with a chance to make it three being wiped out in last year's COVID-canceled season. In terms of the B1G, Michigan has finished 3rd, T-5th, T-2nd, and 3rd. This is all indicative of a program that is basically awaiting liftoff. What I will say on Mel is that he's achieved about what was to be expected, or perhaps maybe a bit better. He definitely exceeded expectations in year 1, guided the team through a lean year in year 2, got them on the fringe of the tourney with a hodgepodge roster last season, and then iced a top 8 team in the country this year once he got some of his guys. That's fine with me. 

The nature of college hockey is such that a coach's recruiting talent often doesn't bear fruits until years 4-5. Players commit at age 14-15, generally speaking, meaning that the guys you are directly recruiting don't show up until they're 18 which is, well, 3-4 years later. This was the first year his guys got to be on the roster, and they were the primary reason this team had a shot to go deep in the tourney before COVID ripped it away from us. There's no question he's one of the NCAA's best recruiters, and just looking down the line suggests that will continue. On the other hand, that's to be expected at an elite program like Michigan. The question will be whether once Mel has his steady pipeline of NHL talent operational (like, starting next year), can he put out a top 10ish team each season? 

If there's one place for Mel to improve, it's getting the team ready for the start of the season. Michigan has consistently slumped in the first half and skidded into Christmas, only to come out roaring in the new year. It would be nice to have a season where the team is high functioning at the beginning of the season. Of course, you want improvement, but obviously I prefer not to be Chicken Little wondering if the sky is falling every December. Playing great in the second half is a lot more fun if you're not having to dig out of a crater from the first half. 

Overall, Mel has Michigan on the right track to dominance. He's recruiting the necessary players to win big and has proven adept at adjusting and making changes. Starting next year he will have 50% of the roster as his guys and it will be his most talented roster at Michigan. If they can get a bit of luck in the offseason, perhaps 2021-22 will be Mel's first B1G title as a head coach.