The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/653976
the team, outworking his most fero‑ cious teammates in practice and also opponents on the ice to create offense or stifle a rival defensively. In any other season, Compher 's 52 points would draw consider‑ able praise — only Zach Hyman (54 points in 2014‑15) has tallied more over the past five years if not for Connor — but compared to the gaudy statistics of his linemates, Compher is trailing in the "wow" factor. But that's not his game. His game is more meat and potatoes, not the flashy appetizers or tantalizing desserts. "There are so many intangible qualities. It's the leadership. It's the defensive‑zone responsibility, it's the selflessness," said Trainor, who voted for Compher in the slimmest of margins over Motte. "The thing that tipped the scales for me is that J.T.'s teammates voted him captain and that speaks to the respect in the locker room. "With all else being equal, that says a lot to me." So who will it be? Who stands out above the rest? Compher may be Michigan's best overall player, and Motte its most valuable but with U‑M finishing the regular season with a sweep of Penn State thanks to four goals from Connor, it's hard to imagine the "C" on Compher's jersey will be enough. Motte will remain in the hunt if he keeps scoring at a prolific level, but from USCHO.com to CollegeHock‑ eyNews.com to PuckDaddy.com, everyone seems to be swept up by Michigan's freshman. On March 31, expect Connor to be included in the Hobey Hat Trick with Motte a potential finalist, too. The winner will be announced April 8 during the weekend of the Frozen Four. Michigan has had two winners in 35 years, Porter and Brendan Mor‑ rison in 1997. Connor is a good bet to become the third, if he can hold off his linemates. ❏ Junior center J.T. Compher is Michigan's team captain and ranked second nationally in points per game (1.53) through March 14, despite totaling just 13 goals. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL