The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2025 BY ANTHONY BROOME I ce hockey forward Kevin Porter (2005- 08) was one of five former U-M ath- letes to be inducted to the 2025 Hall Of Honor Class, along with men's cross country and track and field athlete Brian Diemer (1980-83), field hockey's Kristi Gannon Fisher (2000-03), football player Jon Jansen (1995-98) and men's golfer Lion Kim (2008-11), along with two former coaches in softball's Carol Hutchins (1985-2022) and men's track and field coach Jack Harvey (1975-99). The class was honored at an induction ceremony on Oct. 17 at the U-M Golf Course and also saluted during the foot- ball team's 24-7 win over Washington the following day at the Big House. Porter, who led the Wolverines to the Frozen Four in 2007-08 as a team captain and Hobey Baker Award winner, said that getting the call from Michigan was an honor he could not have believed. "When [athletics director Warde Manuel] called, it was a big surprise," Porter told Jansen on an MGoBlue pod- cast. "I'd known a couple of people who had been inducted and had never even dreamt of being inducted. So, when he called me, it was pretty special. It was pretty emotional." Porter, a Northville, Mich., native, was recruited by legendary head coach Red Berenson to join the program, and went against his older brothers — two MSU Spartans — to head to Ann Arbor. "Red is a legend," Porter said. "So, to have him come to the games and watch when he's in the stands, you definitely want to play your best. At the time, my oldest brother was going to Michigan State. Both of my older brothers attended Michigan State, so it was actually a really tough decision. I just thought it would be a better fit to come play at Michigan for the way I played and the way Red and his staff coached. So, it ended up working out just fine. "I wasn't sure whether I wanted to play college hockey or play in the Cana- dian Hockey League growing up, because the Plymouth Whalers were right down the street. I grew up watching them, and after doing some research and being at the national program, it felt like going to college was going to be the best route. "I ended up choosing Michigan, and it couldn't have been a better decision. It was a great four years. I met some life- long friends who are still best buddies, people who stood up in my wedding, and I still talk to them today. Going onto campus in 2004, not knowing a whole lot was scary, but it was also really exciting." Porter was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Draft after playing two seasons for the USA Hockey National Team Devel- opment Program in Ann Arbor, but he elected to spend all four of his college- eligible seasons at Michigan. "Hockey is just a little bit different than some of the other sports where you're drafted before you go into col- lege, so you have a choice to make," Por- ter said. "Most guys play a few years of college or at least a couple. And then they sign professionally after that. But I knew I wanted to come and play a couple of years of college at least. "I loved it so much that I stayed all four years and wanted to get my degree. That was a big part of it, and then I signed professionally. But there were oppor- tunities after my sophomore year and junior year to go play professionally. And it just wasn't the right time. It wasn't the right fit, and ultimately I decided to stay and try and come back and win a national championship." Porter's freshman season saw him join ❱ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Former Hockey Star Kevin Porter Talks Hall Of Honor Nod After U-M, Porter played 13 seasons of professional hockey with four NHL and five AHL teams. He currently serves as an assistant coach with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and is head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team. PHOTO COURTESY USA HOCKEY