The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542067
JANUARY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 41 BY MARK PANUS H ead coach Brandon Naurato's Wol- verines (16-4 overall, 7-3 Big Ten) held down the No. 1 spot in the Divi- sion I rankings, per the USCHO.com coaches' poll through games of Dec. 15. In its three most recent weekends of action, Michigan posted series sweeps over Ohio State and Harvard before splitting a home-and-home with No. 3 Michigan State. "It's been fun," Naurato said about his team's fast start on U-M's "Conqu'ring Heroes" podcast. "First off, it's all about people, and it's a great group of kids to work with. The staff's really close and all fighting the fight together. "We went through some pain last year, and pain is growth. We learned some things and are doing some things a little bit different. This group's so tight and working for each other; it's the deepest we've been. "I'm proud of what we've done, proud of being No. 1 in December but that's not our goal. Our goal is to be No. 1 af- ter Vegas [host site of this year's NCAA Frozen Four April 9-11]." Winners of 16 of their first 20 games, the Wolverines are clicking on all cyl- inders. Michigan has the nation's high- est-scoring offense (4.8 goals per game — 96 in total) while boasting the ninth- ranked scoring defense (2.05 goals per game allowed). That combination puts U-M second in scoring margin (2.75 goals per game). The Wolverines' power play has been deadly as well, hitting at a 30.5-percent clip, good for third na- tionally through Dec. 15. U-M is led on offense by sophomore forward Will Horcoff (19 goals, 9 as- sists), who ranked third in the country in goals. Horcoff is tied for fifth nation- ally in points per game (1.40, 28 in 20 games) with sophomore forward Mi- chael Hage (10 goals, 18 assists) and se- nior forward T.J. Hughes (9 goals, 19 assists). Hughes also ranked fourth na- tionally with 210 faceoff wins out of 358 draws (58.7 percent). Defensively, the Wolverines are back- stopped by one of the nation's best goaltenders, freshman Jack Ivankovic, who ranks fifth in winning percent- age (80.0), 13th in goals-against aver- age (1.904) and 17th in save percent- age (92.7). Ivankovic has posted three shutouts this season, including a 23- save effort in a series-opening, 3-0 win against Michigan State Dec. 5. Four Wolverines were named to the USA Hockey camp roster for the USA World Junior Championship, which will take place Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Horcoff was joined on the preliminary roster by freshman defense- man Asher Barnett (8 assists), freshman forward Cole McKinney (5 goals, 6 as- sists) and sophomore defenseman Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen (4 goals, 9 assists). Two other Michigan standouts — Ivankovic in goal and Hage at forward —were named to the Hockey Canada roster for the World Juniors. "It's different guys stepping up every weekend," Naurato said, clearly pleased with his team's integration of young tal- ent and veteran leadership. "Our challenge is we always have a target on our back, but now we have a bigger one [as the No. 1 team]. How real are you? Because that's what we want, that's what's going to make us better." Michigan returns to action Jan. 3 for an exhibition game against the U.S. National Team Development Program U-18 Team at Yost Arena. The Wolver- ines start back up in Big Ten Conference play with a homestand against Notre Dame Jan. 9-10. ❏ ❱ MICHIGAN HOCKEY Wolverines Carry No. 1 Ranking Into Winter Break Freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic is already among the nation's top goaltenders this season, ranking 13th in goals-against average (1.904) and 17th in save percentage (92.7). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY 2026 HOCKEY SCHEDULE Jan. 3 U.S. NTDP U-18 Team* Yost Ice Arena Jan. 9 NOTRE DAME Yost Ice Arena Jan. 10 NOTRE DAME Yost Ice Arena Jan. 16 at Minnesota Minneapolis Jan. 17 at Minnesota Minneapolis Jan. 30 at Ohio State Columbus, Ohio Jan. 31 at Ohio State Columbus, Ohio Feb. 6 Michigan State Yost Ice Arena Feb. 7 vs. Michigan State# Detroit Feb. 13 PENN STATE Yost Ice Arena Feb. 14 PENN STATE Yost Ice Arena Feb. 20 at Wisconsin Madison, Wis. Feb. 21 at Wisconsin Madison, Wis. Feb. 26 MINNESOTA Yost Ice Arena Feb. 27 MINNESOTA Yost Ice Arena Mar. 11 Big Ten Quarterfinal TBD Mar. 14 Big Ten Semifinal TBD Mar. 20 Big Ten Championship TBD Mar. 27-29 NCAA Regional TBD Apr. 9-11 NCAA Frozen Four Las Vegas All times TBA * Exhibition game # Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena