The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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with 61, 16 ahead of Compher and 51 ahead of Connor. "He plays a complete 200‑foot game," Trainor said. "Plenty of play‑ ers would be content to lead the country in scoring, but Tyler is deter‑ mined to lead the country in fewest goals scored against when he's on the ice. "He's extremely responsible defen‑ sively, and he's willing to sell out his body to prevent scoring chances, as evidenced by his willingness to get in front of the puck." A fourth‑round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, Motte wasn't even on Chicago's radar com‑ ing into the season, having scored just nine goals apiece each of his first two campaigns (albeit with 22 assists in 2014‑15). However, a scout rep‑ resenting the organization recently shared that Motte is exactly the type of prospect Chicago wants. "He could step in and play on a fourth line because there is a gritti‑ ness to his game, a defensive aware‑ ness," the scout said, asking for ano‑ nymity. "That was maybe sort of his ceiling in the NHL, but what he's shown this year is an ability to score in all situations, with a great shot, with a willingness to grind and crash the net for rebounds. He's evolved into a complete player that could be a third‑ or even second‑line wing someday." Motte is expected to make the Hobey final 10 (The Wolverine went to print March 15, but visit TheWol‑ verine.com for an update March 17) and should have a strong chance at making the final three if he contin‑ ues to be one of the top goal scorers nationally. "He does so much more than put the puck in the back of the net, but if he's at 34, 35 goals when the com‑ mittee gets together to vote, that will probably catch their attention," Moffie said. "The thing that is going to work against him is that there seems to be a lot more praise for Kyle Connor." THE CASE FOR KYLE CONNOR Motte enjoyed a 16‑game point streak from Dec. 30 to March 7, in‑ cluding a 12‑game goal-scoring streak that represented the longest in Berenson's 32‑year tenure. Over‑ shadowing Motte, though, Con‑ Junior right wing Tyler Motte ranked sec‑ ond nationally in goals with 29 in 34 games through March 14, and led U‑M forwards in blocked shots with 61. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL