The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/299859
MICHIGAN HOCKEY and the second-best save percent- age (.929) regardless of class. Rookie of the Year/Top Defen- sive Forward — J.T. Compher: Named the Big Ten Rookie of the Year, Compher was, arguably, Michigan's top overall forward and one of its three best players. The Northbrook, Ill., native led U-M in points with 31, including a team- high 20 assists. Showing off a com- plete game, he had three power- play goals and three shorthanded markers among his 11 total tallies. Among forwards, he ranked third in the Big Ten in blocked shots with 34 and sixth in plus/minus at plus-13. Best Defenseman — Mac Bennett: The senior captain was the steadiest player on a blue line that experienced too many peaks and valleys this past year. Though not overly physical, the 6-0, 189-pounder used his body deftly, creating an obstacle between his goal and opposing forwards. Terrific at breaking the puck out of his own zone, Bennett added two goals and 12 assists, and he was second on the team (and first amongst defensemen) with a plus/minus of plus-12. On The Rise — Zach Hyman: One of the top players in Canada — he was named the National Junior Player of the Year — Hyman arrived at Michigan with consider- able hype. He struggled his first two seasons to find his role, skating mostly on the fourth line as a defensive forward in racking up just six goals and 11 assists. This past year, the junior evolved into a complete player, tallying career highs in goals (seven), assists (10) and points (17) while maintaining the edge defensively that makes him so difficult to play against. Future Captain — Andrew Copp: An alternate in his sophomore year, Copp is a lock to wear the 'C' next season with the departure of Bennett and alternate Derek DeBlois. In doing so, he'd become the ninth Wolverine in school history to receive such an honor during his junior season, and the fifth in head coach Red Berenson's 30-year career. Copp led Michigan in goals (15) and was second in points (29) while occupying the center position on the No. 1 line most of the season. He's an elite two-way for- ward, and he competes with the intensity, determination and leadership worthy of captaining Michigan. — Michael Spath Goalie Zach Nagelvoort posted the best goals- against average (2.20) ever by a U-M freshman. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL