Michigan Hockey: Loaded Roster Brings Championship Expectations

Will the current roster, which is loaded with NHL talent, finally put an end to Michigan hockey’s championship drought?

In this year’s NHL’s Draft, Michigan Hockey accomplished something that has never happened before and may never happen again.

Four of the top five picks were Wolverines and the Wolverines had five first-round picks in total. Last week, three of the Wolverines top five picks, Owen Power, Matthew Beniers, and Kent Johnson, announced they were returning to Ann Arbor next season.

The Wolverines received more good news when top prospect Adam Fantilli announced his commitment. The 6-foot-2 forward is regarded as an elite prospect, who should go early in the 2023 NHL Draft. Fantilli will not be able to help Michigan this season, however it should be just fine without him.

Actually, Michigan will have one of the most stacked teams that college hockey has seen in quite some time.

In addition to Power, Beniers, and Johnson, Michigan also have four other first-round picks in incoming freshman Luke Hughes, Mackie Samoskevich, junior Johnny Beecher, and sophomore Brendan Brisson. Michigan will also have five other NHL draft picks.

While having a roster full of future NHL talent is nice, it also brings heightened expectations for this season. Michigan will have a strong argument as the preseason No. 1 team in the country. However, it is more important the Wolverines finish the season No. 1.

Since winning two national titles in a three year span from 1996 to 1998, Michigan has not won the national title since. It also has not won a conference regular-season championship since 2010-11 and last won a conference tournament championship in 2016.

For one of hockey’s most storied programs, those are droughts that Michigan needs to end. Michigan was denied the opportunity to make a run in the NCAA Tournament last season because of Covid-19.

The Wolverines will be more experienced and battle-tested in 2021, which will pay dividends as talent alone does not win in hockey. Any dual Michigan hockey/Red Wings fan will tell you that.

The Wolverines will need strong goaltending and also will likely need to get hot at the right time. Goalie Erik Portillo did not play a ton in 2020-21 but the results were promising. The Buffalo Sabres draftee had a 1.67 GAA, a .935 save percentage, and a 4-1 record in 7 games. Robert Morris transfer Noah West will join him in net.

If Michigan gets solid goaltending to match what should be a high-scoring offense, it will have a good chance to win the Big Ten’s regular-season and conference tournament championships. Winning the conference tournament championship could give the momentum Michigan needs to reach the Frozen Four and win the national championship.