The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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inside michigan athletics Five Chosen In NHL Draft And Six In MLB Draft Both Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League held their drafts in June, creating future opportunities for 10 Wolverines. Five current or future U-M hockey players heard their names called while six baseball players were also chosen, among them graduating senior Patrick Biondi and junior Michael O'Neill, who has already signed with the New York Yankees, foregoing his final year in Ann Arbor. MLB conducted its First-Year Player Draft June 6-8, with O'Neill going in the third round. The 6-1, 195-pounder signed a contract with the Yankees June 18. In three seasons with the Maize and Blue, the outfielder hit .331 with 13 home runs, 97 RBI and 72 stolen bases, ranking fourth all time in steals. He was previously selected by the Yankees in the 42nd round of the 2010 draft. Pos. F D F F D Michigan's all-time leader in stolen bases with 103, Biondi finished his career with a .303 batting average, 53 extra-base hits, 189 runs (second in the U-M annals) and 252 hits (sixth). He was a ninth-round pick of the New York Mets, improving upon the 35th-round pick that he was in 2009 (Detroit Tigers). Additionally, four future Wolverines were taken in the MLB Draft (see chart). Incoming freshman J.T. Compher was the first off the board for the Maize and Blue in the NHL Draft June 30, going to the Buffalo Sabres with the third pick of the second round. The 6-0, 165-pound center is not expected to be a flight risk, and should center one of the Wolverines' top three lines this season. Defenseman Michael Downing, who will also be a rookie this year, was one of three Wolverines to go in the fourth NHL Draft Picks Skater J.T. Compher Michael Downing Andrew Copp Tyler Motte Nolan De Jong Team Round Buffalo Sabres 2nd Florida Panthers 4th Winnipeg Jets 4th Chicago Blackhawks 4th Minnesota Wild 7th MLB Draft Picks Pos.Player OF Michael O'Neill OF Patrick Biondi OF/P Jackson Lamb OF/P Johnny Slater IF Ramsey Romano C Harrison Wenson Team New York Yankees New York Mets Texas Rangers Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Detroit Tigers Round 3rd 9th 20th 31st 35th 38th