percent of NCAA alumni in the NHL played three years of college
hockey and 40 percent played all four —something that bodes
well for Pearson and the Michigan faithful.
"Players that play three years of college hockey have a realistic
shot at an NHL career, especially if you look at all the players that
left after one or two years," he said.
"You are on the ice a lot. You get 40 to 45 games. You have a
nice schedule of practices. You have time while you are there to
get bigger and stronger. It helps you when you get to the profes-
sional ranks."
The Michigan coaching staff emphasizes player development
as much as winning, and that can make for a smoother transition
to the NHL. Obviously, the players have bought in.
"When you go to practice with all these elite players every sin-
gle day, you will get better," said Beniers, who played two seasons
with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.
"We have a lot of eyes on us this year.
We like the pressure. We want to prove
we are the team everyone says we are."
Mackie Samoskevich
NOV/DEC 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
//
33
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PHOTOS BY Getty Images; Images On Ice; University Of Michigan
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