The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2025 ❱ MICHIGAN HOCKEY BY CLAYTON SAYFIE W hen it became clear in March that Michigan hockey's NCAA Tour- nament chances were slim, head coach Brandon Naurato made a vow: "Michigan will never be in this spot again … ever, ever, ever, ever, as long as I'm here. We know the core of [the issues]. It'll never happen again." Coming off three straight Frozen Four appearances, the Wolverines missed the postseason tournament for the first time in Naurato's tenure, which began in 2022-23, and first time overall since 2018-19. It's one thing to make a pledge like that, but another to back it up — and that process began as soon as last season ended. It wasn't just players training harder than ever before, but the coaches mak- ing sure the Wolverines have the right individuals in the building to have suc- cess this coming winter and spring. The 40-year-old fourth-year head coach and his staff worked tirelessly in the offsea- son to build a roster, strengthen the cul- ture and improve in every area on the ice. "You got me smirking after that ques- tion," Naurato told The Wolverine after being asked how last season fueled him and the Wolverines. "We are very, very motivated after last season. I've talked about it with the players in the past, but a lot of growth in general. "You can go through success, but man, you grow way more through failure or road bumps or adversity, whatever you want to call it. "What I'm really excited about is right away in the spring term, we did a book club. We read 'Legacy' by James Kerr. It's not about the book; there are a lot of good messages in there. But it was player-led, and it reset the foundation for our culture. And not like, 'Oh, there are issues, we've got to do this or that.' But we have a really good culture, and we want it to be the best in college hockey and college sports, so it's always some- thing that we're constantly working on every day and the relationships and kind of going through it together. "Guys made major strides in the gym. [Head strength and conditioning coach] Joe Maher did a great job this spring and summer with our guys, and those are all the returners. Plus all of the new guys coming in … in a nutshell, I'm very, very, very excited about this group." There are 14 new players in total, on a 27-man roster. "Fourteen new guys is a lot, so for me to feel as excited as I am at this time — I know it's only September — they're just guys, they're hockey players," Naurato said. "I think we've got more skill. I think we have more depth than we've had at ev- ery position. And other teams should, too. "The Big Ten's going to be loaded in an exciting way for healthy competition. I'm just excited to go to battle with these kids. I think we have the right people, and that's what you're trying to protect every year with all this turnover in every sport. Culture is everything." Senior center and team captain T.J. Hughes decided to come back to Michigan (again), intent on leading the Wolverines back to the Frozen Four. He paced the team in points (38), goals (15) and assists (23) last season, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY TIME TO RESPOND Michigan Hockey Is Working To Bounce Back