Postgame of the No. 1 Michigan hockey team’s win over the U.S. National Talent Development Program on Saturday, the Wolverines confirmed that freshman forward Teddy Spitznagel is no longer with the Michigan hockey team. Spitznagel was removed from the Wolverines’ roster page and was not listed as an option for their 7-5 win over USNTDP.
Michigan had no comment on Spitznagel’s departure, but confirmed that the forward has departed the program. Naurato said he and Spitznagel talked on the phone this morning.
Spitznagel had not played for the Wolverines this year, instead serving as the 13th forward. He spent the 2024-25 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, where he helped win the team’s first-ever Clark Cup, posting five points in 14 playoff games and 10 goals and eight assists in 50 regular-season games. The 6-foot-3 left winger was touted for his physicality and energy, but went undrafted in 2024.
His departure means that Michigan no longer has any spare forwards in case of injury. The Wolverines have already needed to draw upon their depth defensively this year after freshman defender Henry Mews suffered a season-ending injury against Notre Dame in October. Michigan cannot add more players by NCAA rules, so if the team loses a forward to injury or otherwise, the Wolverines will be shorthanded with no ability to replace him.
Spitznagel is the third Michigan hockey player in two years to depart the program midseason after the departures of defenseman Tim Lovell and forward Christian Humphreys last season.
Related articles
