After an up-and-down season between the pipes, with two goaltenders graduating and a third transferring, the Michigan hockey team has been looking for a new starting goaltender. On Tuesday, it added a candidate to the mix.
The Wolverines landed a commitment from Northern Michigan goaltender Julian Molinaro, announced via Molinaro’s Instagram on Tuesday. Molinaro is the first goaltender to officially announce his transfer to Michigan so far this offseason.
Originally from Ontario, Molinaro only appeared in one game in his lone freshman season with the Wildcats. Despite not seeing the ice much in total, Molinaro made good on his one opportunity by saving 22 of 23 shots against Bowling Green.
Before heading to Northern Michigan, Molinaro won an Alberta Junior Hockey League title with the Calgary Canucks in the 2023-24 season. He recorded a save percentage of .916 in 45 regular-season games, and kept up his high level throughout the postseason.
In Ann Arbor, Molinaro will be reuniting with junior defenseman Josh Orrico, who was a teammate of his on the Toronto Red Wings U16 team. Former Wolverines star Adam Fantilli alsoplayed alongside Molinaro on the Red Wings.
With one incoming freshman goaltender and another transfer potentially on the way according to reports, Michigan’s goaltender personnel for next season is beginning to take shape. It’s too early to say if Molinaro is the answer to last year’s inconsistencies in net, but with his commitment, he has thrown his hat in the ring.
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