The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1479568
OCTOBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 43 heading into the 2022-23 campaign. Bill Muckalt, a former All-American and member of the 1996 and 1998 national championship teams, will be at Naurato's side as the coach's top assistant and as- sociate head coach, back for his fourth season behind the bench. He spent five years playing in the NHL and four years as Pearson's assistant at Michigan Tech, among other coaching stops, before com- ing back to Ann Arbor. In September, Naurato added Rob Rassey to his staff as his second assistant. Rassey, an 11-year coaching veteran, was most recently head coach of the Sioux Fall Stampede in the USHL. He took over as head coach and general manager of the Omaha Lancers (USHL) midseason in 2021-22 and led the team to its first play- off appearance since 2010. Together, the trio will look to keep Michigan one of the premier programs in the nation, perhaps even take it to another level. The Wolverines have had great teams over the last 25 years, but they haven't been able to bring home a na- tional title since 1998. Naurato understands the challenge. Even elite teams aren't guaranteed any- thing. And while his first team includes some of the nation's best players, he also senses great chemistry and team-first mentality on his squad. "It's been awesome," Naurato said. "You'd have to ask them [players and assistants] how they feel, but I think it's been super positive from what they've said to me. I'm excited about this crew. We have 12 freshmen, but a lot of leaders coming in from the freshmen class … a lot of leaders coming back. "It's kind of cliché, but our line this year is 'Good dudes only.' And what that means is you treat people the way you want to be treated. We're always asking each other the question, 'Would a good dude do this?' If it's the right choice, the answer is yes; if it's the wrong one, it's no. … "We're really trying to build up the cul- ture of how we do things." Athletics director Warde Manuel wouldn't have had it any other way. He said in a release he had conversations with "many individuals who care greatly about this program" before making his decision, and he's confident in it. Naurato feels it from the entire Michi- gan community. "There's been an overwhelming re- sponse of positivity," he said. "I think the guys are energized, are excited to go, and they know that they're going to get honest feedback. "We have their best intentions in mind." And winning at the highest level is the expectation as a result. ❏ 2022-23 Michigan Hockey Schedule Date Opponent Time Oct. 1 Windsor (Exhib.) 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Lindenwood 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Lindenwood 7 p.m. Oct. 14 Boston University 7 p.m. Oct. 16 Boston University 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at Lake Superior St. 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Lake Superior St. 6 p.m. Oct. 28 Western Michigan TBA Oct. 29 at Western Michigan TBA Nov. 4 at Penn State TBA Nov. 5 at Penn State TBA Nov. 11 at Notre Dame TBA Nov. 12 at Notre Dame TBA Nov. 17 Minnesota TBA Nov. 18 Minnesota TBA Nov. 25 Harvard TBA Nov. 26 Harvard TBA Dec. 2 at Wisconsin TBA Dec. 3 at Wisconsin TBA Dec. 9 at Michigan State TBA Dec. 10 Michigan State TBA Jan. 6 U.S. NTDP U-18 TBA Jan. 13 Ohio State TBA Jan. 14 Ohio State TBA Jan. 20 at Minnesota TBA Jan. 21 at Minnesota TBA Jan. 27 Penn State TBA Jan. 28 Penn State TBA Feb. 3 Wisconsin TBA Feb. 4 Wisconsin TBA Feb. 10 at Michigan State TBA Feb. 11 Michigan State TBA Feb. 16 at Ohio State TBA Feb. 18 Ohio State TBA Feb. 24 Notre Dame TBA Feb. 25 Notre Dame TBA Mar. 3-18 Big Ten Tournament TBA Mar. 23-26 NCAA Regional TBA April 6-8 NCAA Frozen Four^ TBA ^ Tampa, Fla. Naurato played at Michigan from 2006-09, notching 32 goals and 32 assists. After one year as an assistant back at U-M, he enters the 2022-23 campaign as interim head coach. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY