The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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ing Service's final 2015 NHL Entry Draft rankings, with a fifth rookie, goalie Chad Catt, emerging later in his hockey career; he will up the Wol- verines' average age as a 21-year-old freshman. Shelby Township, Mich., forward Kyle Connor is this year's headliner. The 6-1, 175-pound center spent the past three seasons with the United States Hockey League's Youngstown Phantoms, scoring 82 goals with 113 assists in 174 games. He led the entire USHL in points (80) this past season. "Kyle would be equivalent to, if there was in hockey, and we've had some here in the past and have some here now, a five-tool baseball player," Michigan assistant coach Brian Wiseman said. "He does a lot of things extremely well: skating, goal-scoring, hockey IQ, work-ethic, competitiveness. "He has a chance to be a big-time player." Though their style of play differs, Connor compares favorably to U-M rising sophomore Dylan Larkin in terms of offensive ability, and the likelihood of production as a fresh- man; Larkin ranked second among the Wolverines in goals (15) and points (47) this past year. "Kyle should be able to impact our team offensively early in his fresh- man year," Wiseman said. "How much, and how will that measure up against Larkin remains to be seen. "Dylan is obviously talented, but he found himself in a great situation playing alongside our most produc- tive player [departing senior Zach Hyman], and you can't say if Kyle's situation will be as ideal. "But he has the ability to score goals and be an impact player, and we're expecting him to come in and produce as a freshman." Michigan is losing forwards that combined for 43 goals in 2014-15 (and possibly more if Larkin signs with the Detroit Red Wings), and will need Connor and freshman class- mate Brendan Warren to contribute for next year 's offense to reach its potential. The 6-0, 191-pound Warren is the Central Scouting Service's No. 66 North American prospect, and while he's not the dominant offensive player Connor portends to be, he knows how to hit the back of the net, scoring 32 goals in 112 games for the U.S. Na- tional Development Program's Un- der-17 and Under-18 teams. "He has a chance to produce for us because he plays a very high level, high-intensity game," Wiseman said. "He can skate and he is not afraid to go to the hard areas on the ice. Those guys usually find a way to make the most of their opportunities. "He has the ability and skill set to be productive, and he'll have every opportunity to do that. We feel ex- tremely encouraged that he will con- tribute early, and then throughout the course of his career." Warren's greatest value, however, may lie in his all-around game. "He plays a 200-foot hockey game, meaning he can play along the boards, play in front of both nets, play in all three zones, and is very responsible defensively," Wiseman said. "He provides us a real complete