The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1184078
58 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2019 BY BOB MILLER M ichigan's two top freshmen, de- fenseman Cam York and for- ward Johnny Beecher, share many similarities in their high skill level on the ice. Both were tabbed as first- round draft picks in the 2019 NHL Draft, and both spent the past two years prepping for their future with USA Hockey's National Team Devel- opment Program (NTDP). Founded in 1996 by USA Hockey, the NTDP is composed of two sepa- rate squads of players, the U.S. Na- tional Under-17 and Under-18 teams, which are selected at an annual in- vitational camp in the spring. Those players then live (with local host families) and train together. Both teams compete in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and in several international competitions representing USA Hockey. Originally based in the Ann Ar- bor Ice Cube facility, the program moved to Plymouth, Mich., when USA Hockey purchased Compuware Arena, the former home of the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers. USA Hockey renamed the rink/of- fice complex "USA Arena" and made several renovations to the facility's two ice sheets. Michigan has a long history of re- cruiting players from the NTDP to be part of its program. In addition to York and Beecher, 11 other NHL first- round picks played for the NTDP and later wore maize and blue at Yost Arena: defensemen Jack Johnson, Quinn Hughes, Mike Komisarek, Zach Werenski, Jacob Trouba, Mark Mitera and Chris Summers; forwards Eric Nystrom, Dylan Larkin and Josh Norris; and goaltender Al Montoya. The benefit of having players practice as a team before international competi- tions rather than being called together for a week's preparation is obvious, and the advantages for the individual player's development are an attractive bonus to playing in the NTDP. In addition to a regular USHL schedule, the Under-18 squad plays exhibition games against numerous NCAA programs (including an an- nual game against Michigan) as well as several international tournaments per season. The Under-17 team also competes internationally in three competitions each season. While the advantages of the NTDP system are many, Michigan head coach Mel Pearson cautions that the individual development process is different for each player. "It's just like anywhere. Some are ready for college hockey and some aren't for a lot of reasons," Pearson said. "Every individual is different and coming out of a different situa- tion. You have a guy like Jack Hughes [NHL rookie, NTDP graduate and NHL overall top draft pick in 2019] who's coming out of the [NTDP] pro- gram, and he's not here. He's in the National Hockey League. "You have other guys from their program who are playing another year of junior hockey. Everybody de- velops at a different rate. Just because you're in a certain program does not mean that you're readier than be- ing from another program to step into college hockey. It depends on each individual and the rate of their growth and development." York and Beecher were both sold on the benefits they received as NTDP players. "It was awesome," Beecher said. "Growing up, I got a sense of what the program really was and what it stood for. Once I got there, words can't even describe what it feels like slipping on a jersey that has the USA logo. "You represent so much when you're out there. International com- petition is just so fun. To be out there, playing for your country, trying to win a gold medal with some of your teammates, your best friends, was an unbelievable experience and some- thing I'll never forget. "Coming into Michigan as a true freshman, I think a lot of the first- year guys may be unprepared as to what to expect," Beecher added. "Last year, playing against college and international teams was great. It helped us get our bearings as to where we fit into college hockey and the style of play. "We got to play a couple Big Ten teams. It just helped us get accli- mated to the whole process. To even come here and play at Yost last year was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It contributed to our success as a team last year, playing older and stronger guys." MICHIGAN HOCKEY U-M's National Team Development Program Pipeline Is Still Going Strong Freshmen Cam York (above) and Johnny Beecher are the 12th and 13th NHL first-round picks that took part in the National Team Development Program before coming to Michigan. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL