No. 16 Michigan got off to a slow start in its exhibition game Friday night against the U.S. Hockey National Team Development Program, but turned it on late to cruise to a 6-3 victory. After the Wolverines went into the first intermission down 1-0, freshman forward Will Lockwood tied the game off a breakaway early in the second period. The two teams traded goals and entered the third period tied at two apiece, before Michigan scored three straight to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
Future Michigan players on the USNTDP
Defenseman Quinn Hughes: Ask Hughes to describe his game and he’ll tell you he’s an offensive defenseman. He’s smaller than some of the blueliners Michigan has signed in the past, coming in at 5-9, but it was clear from the exhibition that Hughes’ description of his game was apt. He skates well and moves the puck, playing the point on power plays and leading a couple odd-man rushes. Michigan has yet to announce his signing, but Hughes clarified after the game that he signed his National Letter of Intent (NLI) last week and will play for Michigan next year.
Goaltender Dylan St. Cyr: The one commitment who has yet to sign his NLI, St. Cyr said he’s trying to take his time in making a decision, although he doesn’t have any visits planned to other schools at the moment. St. Cyr is a smaller goaltender who immediately draws comparison to Shawn Hunwick, who starred for Michigan a few years back. He gave up five goals in his team’s loss, but was put in a tough position on most of them. His commitment status will be worth watching considering Michigan has two freshman goaltenders who rank among the nation’s best in Hayden Lavigne and Jack LaFontaine.
Forward Josh Norris: Norris signed his NLI last week and is one of the more highly touted members of Michigan’s class, projected to go in the top few rounds of the 2017 NHL Draft. He plays on the top line for the USNTDP alongside Boston University commit Brady Tkachuk and Wisconsin commit Sean Dhooghe, and also features on his team’s PP and PK units. He was held without a goal in Friday’s exhibition, but assisted on two of his teammates’ goals to finish with two points against his future team.
“I like [Norris],” Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. “He’s a good-sized centerman. Good skater, good worker, good two-way player. I think he’ll come in and be a solid player right from the get-go."
Forward Michael Pastujov: The younger Pastujov brother sat out the exhibition — like Nick, a U-M freshman, he’s been dealing with some shoulder problems. It would’ve been a rare chance for the two brothers to play against each other, as they played together on the same teams growing up (occasionally on the same line) and will reunite in Ann Arbor next season. Pastujov is a highly regarded prospect, perhaps even more so than his brother, who was taken in the seventh round of the 2016 draft by the New York Islanders. He, along with his teammate Norris, is projected to go early in the draft next spring.
“I think [Michael Pastujov is] going to bring skill to our team,” Berenson said. “He’s a player that should be able to provide offense and become a real good Division I player.”
Quote Of The Week: “I really like [Michael’s] game. I think he’s definitely a smart player. He’s got a lot of skill, and he can definitely finish. So I think he brings a lot to the table, and I’m excited to play with him next year.” - Freshman forward Nick Pastujov on his brother Michael, a signee of Michigan’s 2017-18 class.
Stat Of The Week: 5
That refers to the number of freshmen on Michigan who played for the USNTDP last year: forwards Will Lockwood, Nick Pastujov and James Sanchez, and defensemen Luke Martin and Griffin Luce. The program has been kind to Berenson and the Wolverines over the years, and that doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon even with former USNTDP coach Don Granato at Wisconsin. Lockwood, Pastujov and Sanchez all recorded goals against their former team, while a second-period shot by Martin was deflected by freshman forward Adam Winborg into the net.
Notes & Numbers: Nick Pastujov recorded his first goal since Michigan’s preseason game against Windsor … Goaltender Chad Catt made his first appearance of the season against the USNTDP, making two saves and giving up one goal in the second period … Freshman forward James Sanchez tallied two third-period goals against the USNTDP, scoring unassisted before adding an empty-netter late … Michigan went with three goaltenders against the USNTDP, starting senior Zach Nagelvoort in the first period before switching to Catt in the second and freshman Jack LaFontaine in the third … The trio combined to make 21 saves while allowing three goals.
Up Next: Michigan will take on Lake Superior State next weekend at home in its final two games before the start of conference play. The Lakers started the year 6-1 but are currently on a four-game losing streak. The two teams share a common opponent in Michigan Tech; the Wolverines beat the Huskies 4-3 before ending the series with a 3-3 tie, while Lake State dropped both games against Tech by scores of 6-1 and 4-2.
• Don't forget to join us for our weekly U-M hockey chat on Friday at 1 p.m. inside The Fort.
