The Michigan Wolverines ended national championship droughts recently in football (2023) and men's basketball in April, but after the recent commitment of expected No. 1 overall pick Landon DuPont, maybe Michigan hockey will be next.
DuPont is an elite junior hockey player from Canada. Just like Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State before the 2025-26 season, DuPont will play his 2026-27 season for the Michigan Wolverines, a program that is fresh off another trip to the Frozen Four.
DuPont, a 17-year-old defenseman, scored 73 points in 63 games last season playing in the WHL. Michigan hockey has reached the Frozen Four in four of the past five seasons, but hasn't been able to win the national championship. Young players like DuPont have been great for the Wolverines, who have sent tons of talent to the NHL, however, sending talent to the league, and winning championships are two different things.
Projected top-pick of the 2027 NHL Draft, Landon DuPont, has committed to the University of Michigan for the 26-27 season, per multiple sources.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 24, 2026
The 17-year-old defenceman put up 73 points in 63 games for the Everett Silvertips this season. pic.twitter.com/ehxekOjA3S
Brandon Naurato will have to deal with high expectations. They were high before, but now it feels like national title or bust for Michigan hockey.
4-star LB trending to Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is poised to land another 2027 commitment as four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford has started trending with expert projections to land with the Wolverines.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound linebacker is ranked No. 224 overall in the 2027 class, via the 247 Sports composite rankings. He's ranked No. 192 in the Top247.
Ford would be Michigan football's 19th commitment in the 2027 class. The Wolverines have 13 blue-chip prospects currently committed, Ford would make it No. 14. He would also be the first blue-chip linebacker commit in the past two classes, so it would fill a major need.
Nimari Burnett gets NBA opportunity
Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara got the attention on Thursday night as all three players were selected in the NBA draft lottery. However, another Wolverine is getting an NBA opportunity as Nimari Burnett, who started every game for Michigan this past season, signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors.
Nimari Burnett has signed an exhibit-10 contract with the @raptors! pic.twitter.com/dDTWgSU8il
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) June 25, 2026
Burnett started 109 games for the Michigan basketball program over the past three seasons. His contributions have gone overlooked, but they shouldn't. His defense and 3-point shooting were essential for the Wolverines.
Burnett shot 40 percent from 3-point range as a junior, making 1.8 per game. Last season, he made 1.5 per game while shooting 37.5 percent. The defensive stalwart made 209 career 3-pointers, with 178 makes for the Wolverines. At 6-foot-5, he can guard multiple positions and is an excellent on-ball defender.
Burnett could find a role as a three-and-def guy, and he will be another former Wolverine to track this summer as he tries to earn a full-time role with the Raptors, or at least a two-way contract.
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