The Wolverine

October 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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OCTOBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 65 HOCKEY PREVIEW Michigan's Top Returners 1. Sophomore forward Will Lockwood: In 30 games last season, he scored eight goals and notched 12 assists, good for second on the team in points. He was a third-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2016 and came in last year as one of the more highly regarded recruits in the country. He was named Michigan's team MVP and top rookie last season after he led the team in game-winning (three) and shorthanded goals (two). His father, Joe Lockwood, played under Red Berenson at Michigan and tallied 36 goals and 69 points in 147 games. 2. Sophomore defenseman Luke Martin: As a freshman, he led Michigan in blocked shots with 76. He played in all 35 games and finished the season with a team-high plus/minus of plus-2. His strong season got him drafted in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. He is expected to be a leader once again on the blue line and could be paired with senior Sam Piazza, who almost made this list, or freshman Quinn Hughes. 3. Junior forward Cooper Marody: He was aca- demically ineligible for the first half of last season, therefore he only played in 18 games. However, he was still fifth on the team in scoring, with five goals and 10 assists. A Philadelphia Flyers' sixth-round pick in 2015, Marody is loaded with talent and will finally have a whole season to take the next step. He's a candidate to lead the team in scoring if he turns that potential into production. ROOKIE TO WATCH Freshman forward Josh Norris: A 2017 first- round pick (No. 19 overall) by the San Jose Sharks, he is a skilled skater that can play the whole length of the ice. He will be active on faceoffs and on the power play, and should serve as a boost to a Michigan offense that was lacking last season. Head coach Mel Pearson has said Norris has looked good in the short time he's seen him play and is living up the hype. "I think that a big part of my game is offense," Norris said. "I'm going to come in here and try to put up a little more offense, I know they struggled last year, but they were young and I feel like we have a good group here." Norris could see time as Michi- gan's top center, but he will see plenty of chances no matter which line he ends up on this year. He said he feels comfortable with his game and doesn't expect there to be as much adjustment to the college game as one might normally face, due to the level of hockey he played at before Michigan. He was part of the United States National Team Development Program and tallied 23 goals and 28 assists in 52 games for the U-18 squad last year. 30 Hayden Lavigne G 6-3 200 So. Will battle with Jack LaFontaine for the starting goalie job after playing in 13 games last season. 31 Chad Catt G 5-10 190 Jr. Likely won't see much, if any, playing time since he's stuck be- hind two talented young goalies. 33 Joseph Cecconi D 6-2 205 Jr. Played in 33 games and had 69 blocked shots last season, and will be counted on heavily again this season; a fifth-round pick of the Stars in 2015. 43 Quinn Hughes D 5-10 175 Fr. Another highly touted recruit that is projected to be taken in the first round next year; will play a lot of minutes. 45 Jack LaFontaine G 6-3 197 So. Third-round pick by the Hurricanes in 2016; will compete for the starting job with Lavigne. 47 Christian Meike D 6-0 172 So. Played in six games last season. 61 James Sanchez F 6-1 184 So. Will be counted on the take another step forward this season after scoring six goals in 34 games last year. 74 Nicholas Boka D 6-1 200 Jr. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 draft by the Minnesota Wild; played in 34 games last season. 88 Steven Merl F 6-4 207 So. Scored one goal in 15 games last season; will provide depth. 90 Dexter Dancs F 6-2 205 Sr. Had 12 points in 31 games last season; will have the opportu- nity to earn more playing time. 91 Nick Pastujov F 6-0 202 So. Is one of the players head coach Mel Pearson wants more out of this season after scoring one goal in 28 games last season; could be a key contributor. No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Elig. No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Elig. PHOTO COURTESY USA HOCKEY NICK PASTUJOV PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

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