The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/447116
MICHIGAN HOCKEY the path of playing in the USHL or, in the best case, for USA Hockey's NTDP program in preparation for his arrival in Ann Arbor. "For the first 10 years of my life, I lived in Germany because my dad played pro hockey there, so my first memories of skating and playing hockey would be going on the ice after my Dad's practices with my two brothers once all the guys were done practicing," Norris recalled. "My first or- ganized hockey team w a s Yo u n g L i o n s Frankfurt [Germany] when I was about 7 years old. "Some of my best memories were being able to play with my older brother Coale, until I was about 10 years old, and even with my younger brother Dalton, for some tournaments." The decision to commit to Michi- gan had to be a difficult one at some level for Norris. His father, Dwayne, played college hockey for Michigan State during the late 1980s and early '90s. He posted 44 goals in 44 games his senior year and was named a Dis- tinguished Spartan Award winner in 2012 for his stellar play in his Michi- gan State career. Josh will have the opportunity to blaze his own trail at Michigan after weighing all his options carefully before giving the Wolverines his commitment. "It was a tough decision for me, choosing which school I wanted to go to," Norris said. "I was fortunate to have opportunities at other schools, and they all have great things to offer. When I talked to Michigan State and saw their campus, it was re- ally nice, as were the other schools. They're all great in- stitutions and are dif- ferent in their own ways. "When I visited Michigan, I felt that it would be a great fit for me. Walking around downtown Ann Arbor was really cool and the campus is very nice. In the end, I just felt that Michigan would be the best place for me to go." The Wolverines will benefit by hav- ing a forward known for his relent- less drive and top-notch hockey IQ. "Michigan has always been a school that I wanted to go to, and it has al- ways been a dream of mine to play college hockey," Norris said. "When the opportunity came up to play for Michigan, I knew that was where I wanted to go. The day that I commit- ted to Michigan was for sure a day that I'll never forget. U-M commitment Josh Norris lik- ens his game to the style played by Jonathan Toews of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. PHOTO COURTESY OAKLAND JUNIOR GRIZZLIES