The Wolverine

December 2020

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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52 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2020   MICHIGAN HOCKEY "We've had more intense and com- petitive practices with scrimmages than we've had in the past," he noted. "Sometimes you have to force it, but not with this group; they've embraced it from the get-go. Strauss also had to settle in last year, and he's dialed in now. "This group's competitiveness and intensity will give us a better chance of being ready early." FIVE KEY RETURNEES FOR MICHIGAN Sophomore forward Johnny Beecher His 16 points were deadlocked for the fourth most on last year's team, while his nine goals were tied for second. "Johnny started to play well during the second half of last season, and he's taken another step," head coach Mel Pearson said. "He has a chance to be a dominant player on the ice every night." Junior defenseman Nick Blankenburg His total of 12 assists stood third on the roster last winter, while his 43 blocks checked in fifth. The Washing- ton, Mich., native earned Big Ten hon- orable mention status at year's end. Sophomore forward Nick Granowicz He was one of three names Pearson mentioned Nov. 9 when asked which returnees he thinks could be in store for a significant leap forward this season. "Nick didn't play the whole first half, and then came on in the second half and was productive," the U-M head coach noted. "He's someone else who has made tremendous strides from his freshman to sophomore year." Junior forward Jimmy Lambert Lambert's was the first name Pear- son singled out in a Nov. 9 Zoom call when asked which players he pre- dicts will make notable progress this year. The junior finished last season with two goals and 11 assists. "He's made a full recovery from his shoulder surgery that sidelined him," Pearson said. Sophomore defenseman Cam York His 11 assists in 2019-20 were tied for the fourth most on the team, while his five goals checked in eighth. York was also a finalist for the Big Ten's Rookie of the Year Award. MICHIGAN'S TOP NEWCOMERS Freshman forward Matty Beniers He racked up 41 points last season with the U.S. National Team Develop- ment Program, which were the sec- ond most on the squad. He was also ranked fifth among draft-eligible play- ers in the 2021 NHL Draft rankings by The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "Matty Beniers has been noticeable on both ends of the rink and he plays the game the right away," head coach Mel Pearson said. "He looks like a mature veteran who has bought in to playing good solid defense." Freshman forward Thomas Bordeleau He spent each of the last two cam- paigns with the U.S. National Team Development Program, and gained a reputation for his speed and excel- lent vision. "Thomas constantly makes plays and makes those around him better," Pearson noted. "He's one guy I can- not wait to watch play this season." Freshman forward Kent Johnson He checked in at No. 3 in Pron- man's rankings of the best 2021 draft- eligible players. Johnson has elite stick-handling skills, per Pronman, along with a high offensive IQ. He also made College Hockey News' watch list for the top newcomers in the nation this season. "Kent shows flashes every day of how good he is, and he's young," Pear- son said. "Owen Power might be the youngest player in college hockey, but Kent isn't far behind. Kent has really figured out how to pick up his speed and is playing with a lot of pace." Freshman goaltender Erik Portillo He led the United States Hockey League with a 2.11 goals against av- erage last year, and is expected to serve as junior goaltender Strauss Mann's backup. "Erik has a battle on his hands with Strauss and is an elite goalten- der as well," Pearson revealed. "He has shown well and we have to get him in there. When you have Strauss though, it's easier said than done." Freshman defenseman Owen Power Power clocked in at No. 2 on Pron- man's list of the top players eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft. His 6-5, 214-pound physique has garnered comparisons to Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hed- man, who stands a similar 6-6, 223. "Owen Power is as good as ad- vertised," Pearson said. "He has the puck a lot and is poised with it, and moves extremely well. He'll make an immediate impact for us." ❏ Rookie Owen Power was tabbed as the USHL Defenseman of the Year last season after lead- ing all league players at his position with 40 points. PHOTO BY JOHNATHAN KNIGHT Head coach Mel Pearson has high hopes for junior forward Jimmy Lambert, who has made a full recovery from shoulder surgery. PHOTO BY JOHNATHAN KNIGHT

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