Michigan Hockey: Update on the ProBlue Wolverines

In the past few weeks, more Michigan hockey players signed and moved onto their professional careers. Let’s take a look into how the ProBlue Wolverines performed

In my previous article, I talked about the Michigan hockey players who were still considering coming back to the Wolverines or moving onto their professional careers. Since then, all three of the players mentioned signed professional contracts.

Thomas Bordeleau signed with the AHL affiliate of the Sharks, the Barracuda. A few games later, Bordeleau signed with the San Jose Sharks on an entry level contract.

Brendan Brisson signed with the AHL affiliate of the Golden Knights, the Henderson Silver Knights. After the Las Vegas Golden Knights season ended, they signed Brisson to a three year, entry level contract.

Meanwhile, Johnny Beecher signed with the Providence Bruins. After the Boston Bruins lost in the first round, they signed Beecher to an entry level contract as well. He will be a great addition to add depth to the team. Especially with the possibility of the Bruins losing their veteran forwards.

Not to mention, senior forward Garrett Van Wyhe, signed with the New Jersey Devils affiliate, the Utica Comets. As well as Jimmy Lambert signing with the New York Islanders affiliate, Bridgeport Islanders.

How are the ProBlue guys doing?

Safe to say the guys who went pro killed it in the big league. Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Kent Johnson, and Nick Blankenburg all signed with their perspective teams as soon as the Michigan hockey season ended.

Let’s look into how they played, as well as the others.

Owen Power: The first overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft made his NHL debut just the next week after Michigan’s loss in the Frozen Four. In 8 games, he had two goals and one assist. But Buffalo improved immensely with the addition of Power. Buffalo went 6-2 with Power on the team. He is sure to be a top defensemen on that team by next season.

Kent Johnson & Nick Blankenburg: Kent Johnson, who got drafted 5th overall by Columbus signed with the Blue Jackets as expected. As a shock to many, Nick Blankenburg who was undrafted, signed as an undrafted free agent. Blankenburg went from doing an extra year of juniors and a walk-on his freshman year to the captain of the team who made the Frozen Four. Blankenburg was one of the strongest defensemen on the team, and it was a huge deal when he got signed.

Blankenburg performed incredible in his short time with Columbus. He got an assist in this first NHL game, with his former Michigan hockey teammates cheering him on in the stands. He got a game winning goal against Edmonton, where he got the chance to defend Connor McDavid. Blanks is now playing for Team USA in IIHF Worlds alongside former teammates Thomas Bordeleau, Luke Hughes and even Strauss Mann.

Kent Johnson had a more underwhelming debut, but still played outstanding. In nine games, he had three assists but is sure to make much more of an impact next season.

Matty Beniers: Beniers was one of the standouts from the new signees. At only 19 years old, he signed with the Seattle Kraken and made an immediate impact. With the struggling Kraken, Beniers tallied three goals and six assists in 10 games played. Seattle fans love him, and he is going to be a star next season on that team.

Thomas Bordeleau: After a few games with the San Jose Barracuda, Bordeleau signed an NHL contract. “Bordy” as everyone calls him put on a show in the NHL. He tallied an assist in his first pro game, and five assists overall in eight games played. And he even got the game winning goal in the shootout against the Vegas Golden Knights. He has a very bright future in the league. Now that the Sharks season is over, Bordeleau is now representing Team USA in IIHF World Championship. He scored a shorthanded goal in the first game. Safe to say, Bordeleau is making a huge impact both in the NHL, as well as on a global stage for Team USA

Brendan Brisson: Brisson has been the standout on the Henderson Silver Knights. He has had three goals in three games. Two of those goals being one-timers from his signature spot, a shot Michigan fans had seen a lot from Brisson this past season. Overall, in seven games played, he had eight points (3 G, 5 A). Watch out for Brisson making his NHL debut next season with the Golden Knights.

Johnny Beecher: Beecher had three goals and two assists in his time with the Providence Bruins, one of them being a game winning goal. He is going to be a major asset to the Boston Bruins come next season. His physicality and ability to play defense as well as score goals as a forward is going to be very beneficial to Boston.

The Wolverines from team 100 are killing it in the league and making Michigan fans proud. Michigan produces NHL stars and they are going to have a long career in the NHL.

Michigan fans will sure miss watching them at Yost, me included.. From playing in the Frozen Four, and being Big Ten Champions to now playing in the National Hockey League, they sure do have a lot to be proud of.