Roster Breakdown: New season, new faces

It’s a new year, and with that comes an even newer Michigan hockey team.

Big Ten Player of the Year forward Gavin Brindley, high-scoring forward Dylan Duke and star defenseman Seamus Casey are just a few of many Wolverines not returning from last season — including the only two goaltenders that saw the ice.

Overall, Michigan lost five of its top-six point scorers. Although roster turnover comes not only with mass departures, it also brings plenty of new faces, too.

In fact, there are 12 newcomers to the Wolverines this year, five transfers and seven freshmen. The ability of the newcomers to adapt and step into bigger roles will play a large part in setting the course of Michigan’s season.

And to figure out just which players those might be, The Michigan Daily breaks down Michigan’s roster for the 2024-25 season.

Goaltending

With starting netminder Jake Barczewski gone, along with his backup Noah West, whoever takes the net for Michigan to start Friday’s game against Minnesota State will be a new face.

In fact, whoever of freshman Cameron Korpi, graduate Andrew Albano and graduate Logan Stein, a Ferris State transfer, gets the nod will not only be new to the Wolverines — they’ll be making their debut at the high major level.

Between the three goalies, the decision is likely to come down to Stein and Korpi, who are on opposite sides of the experience spectrum. Stein has four years and 77 games under his belt with the Bulldogs, and while his 15-47-5 record is unimpressive on the surface, he wasn’t getting much help. Ferris State’s offense scored just 2.31 goals per game last year, good for third-worst in Division I.

Stein was a capable netminder for the Bulldogs in his first three years, but in his senior year he took a leap. His 2023-24 save percentage of .910 and goals against average of 2.90 were both career bests.

Korpi, on the other hand, is much greener. His statistics from the last two years with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm — a .889 save percentage and 3.09 GAA — are respectable, but don’t quite leap off the page. Korpi did make a name for himself with the Storm, though, earning three USHL Goaltender of the Week awards.

With the ongoing competition for the starting spot happening in practice, it remains to be seen which Michigan goalie will see the ice first on Friday, and moving forward.

Defensemen

In comparison to the goaltenders, this season’s Wolverines defensemen will look a bit more familiar.

Graduate Jacob Truscott highlights the group, a returning captain and leader both on and off the ice. Truscott finished last season playing in a pairing with Casey, though, and will now have to rebuild chemistry with a new linemate.

One candidate to play alongside Truscott is graduate Arizona State transfer Tim Lovell, who rivals Truscott’s experience with 119 NCAA games played in his career. Lovell and Casey are somewhat similar, too, both in their undersized 5-foot-10 frames and their offensive contributions — each of the pair was in the top two on their respective teams in assists a year ago.

Another newcomer expected to make an impact is Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen, one of four incoming freshmen defenders. At just 17 years old, Rhéaume-Mullen is certainly just as green as any Michigan rookie, but he also may be just as talented. Hunter Hady is another freshman defenseman that could make noise this season, bringing a bigger 6-foot-4 frame to an otherwise smaller position group.

Alongside Truscott, junior Tyler Duke and senior Ethan Edwards returned to the Wolverines. Between the three of them, there will be plenty of Michigan pedigree to spread to the new, young defensemen.

Forwards

Having to replace four of your top five goal-scorers is no easy task. And with the departures of Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, Frank Nazar III and Dylan Duke, the Wolverines find themselves facing that exact challenge. The only returner from last season’s top five is junior T.J. Hughes, who is now poised to be a leader among the forwards, many of whom will be stepping into bigger roles.

Sophomores Nick Moldenhauer and Garrett Schifsky are two forwards who could take a jump this season. Schifsky in particular had an especially productive freshman season, tying for a team-best 17 plus-minus while netting 16 goals.

As for the newcomers, freshman Michael Hage is one Michigan hopes can make an immediate impact. The 21st overall pick in June’s NHL Draft, Hage has the potential to slot into a first or second-line center role from day one, and his effectiveness could play a big role in determining the Wolverines’ ceiling this year.

Sophomore William Whitelaw will be a key new piece among the forwards group, too. He notched 10 goals and seven assists with Wisconsin last season, and will hope to take a sophomore leap this season alongside Moldenhauer and Schifsky.

With speedster junior Jackson Hallum coming back from injury, as well as veteran depth pieces like junior Josh Eernisse and senior Mark Estapa returning, Michigan should have the talent at forward to put enough goals on the board — even if there is a drop-off in production from last season.

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There are plenty of new faces on the Wolverines’ roster this year, and therefore, lots of uncertainty looms. Although that uncertainty comes with risk and worry, it also means there’s potential. It’s that potential that Michigan hopes it can unlock this year.

This level of roster turnover isn’t new to the Wolverines, either. In fact, it’s not even new to Michigan coach Brandon Naurato. Going into the 2022-23 season, the Wolverines had lost five of their top six point scorers from the prior season, just like they did this season.

That Michigan team adjusted quickly, though, starting out with an 8-1 record. It finished strong, too, placing second in the Big Ten and reaching the Frozen Four.

Like in that 2022-23 season, this year’s edition of the Wolverines has lots of questions entering their opening game. But if a select few players can step up, take leaps and fill roles — whether rookies or veterans — a fourth-consecutive Frozen Four just might be in reach.

Line Predictions

Forwards

William Whitelaw – T.J. Hughes – Garrett Schifsky

Jackson Hallum – Michael Hage – Evan Werner

Josh Eernisse – Mark Estapa – Nick Moldenhauer

Tanner Rowe – Kienan Draper – Philippe Lapointe

Defense

Jacob Truscott – Tim Lovell

Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen – Ethan Edwards

Tyler Duke – Hunter Hady

Extra Skater

Christian Humphreys

Goaltender

Logan Stein

Cameron Korpi

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