The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1508023
OCTOBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 57 ❱ MICHIGAN HOCKEY said. "Not because he's a first-round draft pick, but because he's a game- breaker." PRIORITY ON DEFENSE Having a full offseason allowed Nau- rato to put his own staff in place, and he did so while addressing areas that must improve. Last season, the Wolverines ranked second nationally with 4.17 goals per game but 43rd in scoring defense, giving up 3.1 per tilt. "We just had young kids, and young kids don't know how to defend like older guys do — and that's what we need to be better at going into this season," Naurato remarked. Naurato's passion and area of exper- tise is offense, and the Wolverines have been great there. But he knew something had to change defensively, leading to the hires of goalie coach Kevin Reiter and de- fensive specialist Matt Deschamps. Rob Rassey, an assistant last season, was pro- moted to associate head coach, and he hones in on recruiting and special teams. "It's aces in their places," Naurato said. "They're experts in their space. It's just so cool to see the kids gravitating to- wards them. "I don't think we've had a defenseman coach [and] coach the defense at Michi- gan since the early '90s. Defense wins championships. And in my world, of- fense does, too. My passion for offense is Kevin Reiter and Matt Deschamps' pas- sion for defense. That's what they see, that's what they do." Senior Jacob Truscott, who missed the end of last season with an injury, and junior Ethan Edwards, who led the team with 54 blocked shots, highlight the Wolverines' blueliners. "Having a healthy Jacob Truscott … we missed him so much," Naurato said. "He's such an under-the-radar player, and the leadership that he's going to bring this year [will be great]. Ethan Ed- wards is going to take a huge step." Boston College graduate transfer Mar- shall Warren has loads of experience, too, with 130 collegiate games and 57 career points under his belt. Sophomore Sea- mus Casey put up 8 goals and 21 assists with 24 blocks a year ago. Perhaps the most important piece will be who's in net. After Erik Portillo left for the pros, a pair of Michigan goalten- ders are battling it out in the preseason, a competition that could last all year. Canisius graduate transfer Jacob Barc- zewski has played in 100 career games, with a .917 save percentage and 2.60 goals-against average. Senior Noah West has appeared in five contests over two seasons with the Maize and Blue, posting a .920 save percentage after transferring in from Robert Morris. "We have two veteran goalies that can both be starters and help put us in posi- tion to win a championship, and we're just gonna see who takes it," Naurato said. The staff won't rush into a decision, either. "If they're both really good all year, they'll split all year. We'll see. I'm not a one-goalie person or a split-goalie per- son — I'm whatever is best for our team at that time." ❑ 2023-24 MICHIGAN HOCKEY SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time (ET) Sept. 30 Simon Fraser (Exhib.) 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Providence 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Providence 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at UMass TBA Oct. 14 at UMass TBA Oct. 20 Ohio State TBA Oct. 21 Ohio State TBA Oct. 27 Lindenwood 7 p.m. Oct. 28 Lindenwood 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Wisconsin TBA Nov. 4 at Wisconsin TBA Nov. 10 Minnesota TBA Nov. 11 Minnesota TBA Nov. 17 Penn State TBA Nov. 18 Penn State TBA Nov. 24 at St. Cloud State 8:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at St. Cloud State 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Notre Dame TBA Dec. 2 at Notre Dame TBA Jan. 6 at U.S. NTDP U-18 Team (Exhib.) 7 p.m. Jan. 12 Stonehill 7 p.m. Jan. 13 Stonehill 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Michigan State TBA Jan. 20 Michigan State TBA Jan. 26 Wisconsin TBA Jan. 27 Wisconsin TBA Feb. 2 at Ohio State TBA Feb. 3 at Ohio State TBA Feb. 9 Michigan State TBA Feb. 10 vs. Michigan State^ TBA Feb. 16 at Penn State TBA Feb. 17 at Penn State TBA Feb. 23 Notre Dame TBA Feb. 24 Notre Dame TBA Mar. 1 at Minnesota TBA Mar. 2 at Minnesota TBA Mar. 8-10 Big Ten Quarterfinals TBA Mar. 16 Big Ten Semifinal TBA Mar. 23 Big Ten Championship TBA ^ Duel in the D, Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit Ten Newcomers Here's a snapshot look at the newest members of Michigan hockey — six transfers and four freshmen: • Graduate goalie Andrew Albano (6-0, 171): The transfer from Division III Norwich recorded a 12-4-2 record with a .928 save percentage and a 1.71 goals-against average in four seasons. • Graduate goalie Jacob Barczewski (6-1, 180): The Canisius transfer led his previous team to the 2023 Atlantic Hockey Championship and NCAA Tournament in 2023 … First-team all-conference in 2021-22 and third team in 2022-23 … Owns a 44-42-8 record in 94 games. • Sophomore defenseman Tyler Duke (5-9, 180): The Ohio State transfer joins his brother, junior forward Dylan Duke, on the U-M roster … Finished with 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 40 games for the Buckeyes last season. • Sophomore forward Josh Eernisse (6-2, 205): The St. Thomas transfer finished second on his team with 21 points (14 goals, 7 assists) last season. • Freshman forward Nick Moldenhauer (5-10, 170): Second on the USHL's Chicago Steel with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 50 games in 2022-23. • Freshman defenseman Josh Orrico (5-9, 165): Posted 15 points with the Janesville Jets of the NAHL. • Graduate forward Chase Pletzke (5-11, 175): The Miami (Ohio) transfer appeared in 100 career games, totaling 15 goals and 19 assists. • Freshman forward Tanner Rowe (6-1, 179): Totaled 10 goals and 16 assists in two seasons with the USHL's Omaha Lancers, serving as alternate captain in 2022-23. • Freshman forward Garrett Schifsky (5-9, 174): Named third-team All-USHL last season, his second with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL … Paced the team in scoring each of the last two seasons — 46 points in 2021-22 and 52 in 2022-23. • Graduate defenseman Marshall Warren (6-0, 195): A team captain at Boston College, he posted 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) and added 35 blocks in his fourth season with the Eagles in 2022-23. — Clayton Sayfie