Michigan hockey defenseman Owen Power is considered a good bet to go No. 1 overall in the upcoming NHL Draft, but he's in no rush to leave. He said three weeks ago he was leaning toward a return, and he reiterated that again Wednesday.

"I think from my perspective, I'm still kind of thinking the same way," he said.

Power was ranked No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters after helping lead U-M to a 15-10-1 record in his first year. He led all freshman defensemen with 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and was consistently on the ice.

"I think I got a lot better defensively," he said. "Offensively, my game just continued to grow, so I think all that ... being more comfortable, having more confidence helped with me growing my game as the year went on."

Powers said he's interviewed with 10 to 15 NHL teams, and many of them have questioned his next move since he said returning to Michigan was an option.

"They've asked me. I've kind of said what I thought and they just kind of sit there and listen," he said. "They give me advice on what they think and stuff like that.

"When a team drafts me, that's something that we will go in depth with and talk a little more about."

Michigan's coaching staff, meanwhile, has told him to stay focused on hockey rather than anything else.

"Keep doing what you're supposed to be doing, keep working hard and trying to get better through the whole thing," he said. "I think that's the biggest message. They've always said, 'make sure you don't get too busy where it interferes.'"

Ultimately, he noted, the final decision will come after the draft. Michigan fans would love to see him in maize and blue for one more season, but it's no guarantee ... far from it.

"It's what the team that picks me thinks; my family and advisors think, as well," he said. "That would be a conversation. Just the opportunity to win at Michigan, trying to get a true college experience is all a sign that's going to factor in."

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