The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
A nn Arbor's Ice Cube Arena com‑ plex serves as the home of USA Hockey's National Team Develop‑ ment Program (NTDP) Under‑18 and Under‑17 teams. For the 2014‑15 season, the Ice Cube would aptly be nicknamed "Yost Arena Southwest." Sitting about five miles from the University of Michigan home of Yost Ice Arena, "The Cube" will be the hockey home of five Under‑17 team members who are already commit‑ ted to Michigan for the Wolverines' incoming class of 2016 freshmen. The NTDP program has prepared numerous players who have gone on to great college careers at Michigan in the past, names like Jack Johnson and 2008 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner Kevin Porter. Six current Wolverines — sopho‑ more forward J.T. Compher, junior forward Andrew Copp, freshman de‑ fenseman Zach Werenski, sophomore forward Tyler Motte, sophomore for‑ ward Evan Allen and freshman for‑ ward Dylan Larkin — prepped at the NTDP for their careers as Wolverines. Five future Wolverines — forwards Nick Pastujov, William Lockwood and James Sanchez, and defensemen Grif‑ fin Luce and Luke Martin — will play an extensive USHL schedule with the Under‑17 team this season, supple‑ mented by several international tour‑ naments representing USA Hockey. Players are selected for the NTDP teams through a rigorous tryout camp featuring most of the top U.S.‑ born players for their given birth year. Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.), whose younger brother Michael is also com‑ mitted to Michigan for 2016‑17, came up through the ranks of the Hon‑ eybaked developmental system in the Detroit area. A lightning‑quick skater, Pastujov is an elite scorer. Lockwood (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) is a small, quick‑skating, elite puck handler with good hands and vision of the ice. Sanchez (Northbrook, Ill.) is a big 6‑1 forward who always seems to be followed by the puck and plays at a higher level than his perceived skills. Luce (Williamsville, N.Y.), grand‑ son of Buffalo Sabres standout Don Luce, is a stay‑at‑home, tough, shut‑ down defenseman who possesses solid puck skills and skating ability. Martin (St. Louis) is a big, mobile defender who can join an offensive rush when necessary. Although developmental play‑ ers are committing to university programs years in advance of their college matriculation, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) program of Major Junior A hockey is a tempting alternative to a college career. CHL teams play substantially more games in their season at the cost of practice time. The five Under‑17 players commit‑ MICHIGAN HOCKEY Michigan Sees Players Continuing To Develop