Live updates: Tracking Michigan hockey offseason changes
The Michigan hockey offseason continues to be a busy one. Multiple have already announced their return and some have announced their departure, but one key player still has a big decision to make.
Additionally, Michigan has already landed two commitments through the Transfer Portal.
Below is a full breakdown of all the changes of Michigan hockey's offseason.
Players who have announced they are departing
F Frank Nazar III
Just two days after Michigan's season ended in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the Frozen Four, Nazar III signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. The signed officially ended his tenure at Michigan.
The day after he signed with the Blackhawks, Nazar III, in his NHL debut, scored his first career NHL goal.
F Gavin Brindley
Brindley wasn't as quick to sign his NHL contract (with the Columbus Blue Jackets), but the Big Ten Player of the Year ultimately ended up forgoing his remaining two seasons of eligibility in favor of the professional route.
He made his NHL debut for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday in a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
D Dylan Duke
Duke signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after three years in Ann Arbor. He made his AHL debut with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning's AHL affiliate, on Wednesday.
D Seamus Casey
Casey waited longer than any other Michigan player to announce an official decision, but on Monday morning, the New Jersey Devils welcomed Casey to the professional ranks via a social media post, meaning Casey opted to head to the NHL rather than return to school.
In his two years at Michigan, Casey tallied 74 points (15 goals, 59 assists). He appeared in two Frozen Fours with the Wolverines. He will now head to New Jersey, where he will play alongside former teammate Luke Hughes.
Players who have announced they are returning
F Rutger McGroarty
McGroarty will return to Michigan for his junior season. He was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but after reported discussions with the franchise, McGroarty ultimately decided to return for a third season in Ann Arbor.
He is a member of Michigan's top line and his return is one of the biggest moves of the offseason.
D Jacob Truscott
Michigan hockey announced on Wednesday, April 17, that Jacob Truscott will return to Michigan for his fifth season. The captain's return to the program is a huge addition for the Wolverines heading into 2024-25.
F T.J. Hughes
On Thursday, April 18, Michigan also announced the return of junior forward T.J. Hughes. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward has totaled 84 points (32 goals, 52 assists) in his two seasons at Michigan.
Hughes will be a big piece for Michigan next season.
F Philippe Lapointe
The Michigan Hockey program has announced that senior forward Philippe Lapointe is returning to school for his fifth and final year of his collegiate career. The 24-year-old totaled seven points (one goal, six assists) last season as a senior.
In his time at Michigan, he's tallied 18 points. He served as an alternate captain in 2023-24, and he will bring a high level of experience back to Ann Arbor.
Incoming transfers committed to Michigan
G Logan Stein
Ferris State's Logan Stein has committed to Michigan. The fifth-year senior had a .910 save percentage and a 2.90 goals allowed average last season with the Bulldogs. Ferris State finished 63rd in the PairWise rankings out of 64 teams.
With the departures of Jake Barczewski and Noah West (who transferred to Ferris State, ironically), Stein will be an early candidate to be Michigan's starting goaltender next season.
D Tim Lovell
Lovell arrives in Ann Arbor after three seasons at Arizona State. He began his career at Boston College, but he will now play his fifth season of college hockey at Michigan.
He was a Hobey Baker Award nominee in 2023-24 with 37 total points (five goals, 32 assists).
F William Whitelaw
Whitelaw hails from Rosemount, Minnesota, and he will arrive in Ann Arbor after one season at Wisconsin. He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
In his one season with the Badgers, Whitelaw helped the team earn the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Wisconsin was upset by Ohio State in the first round of the conference tournament and the Badgers were then bested by Quinnipiac in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Whitelaw, a 19-year-old, tallied 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) last season for the Badgers.
F Evan Werner
Werner made his pledge to Michigan on Tuesday, May 7. The Flower Mound, Texas, native played his freshman season at Colorado College, where he tallied 19 points (six goals, 13 assists).
He helped the Tigers to a 21-13-3 overall record and an end-of-season ranking of No. 13 in the PairWise rankings. At 21 years of age, Werner brings in more experience than normal for a typical sophomore player.
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