The 2020–21 Michigan Wolverines men's hockey team was the Wolverines' 99th season. They represented the University of Michigan in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The team was coached by Mel Pearson, in his fourth year as head coach, and played their home games at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines received an at-large bid to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, however, they were removed from the tournament due to positive COVID-19 test results within the program.
Previous season During the 2019–20 ice hockey season, Michigan went 18–14–4, including 11–10–3–2 in Big Ten play in a shortened season that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Season As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of North Dakota's players would lose a season of play. However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.
Departures Jacob Hayhurst Forward Graduation (signed with Greenville Swamp Rabbits) Hayden Lavigne Goaltender Graduation (signed with Birmingham Bulls) Will Lockwood Forward Graduation (signed with Vancouver Canucks) Griffin Luce Defenseman Graduation (signed with Rapid City Rush) Luke Martin Defenseman Graduation (signed with Greenville Swamp Rabbits) Emil Öhrvall Forward Transferred to Sacred Heart Jack Olmstead Forward Transferred to Miami Nick Pastujov Forward Graduation (signed with Kansas City Mavericks) Jake Slaker Forward Graduation (signed with Greenville Swamp Rabbits) Shane Switzer Defenseman Graduation (signed with Tulsa Oilers) Adam Winborg Forward Graduation (signed with Segeltorps IF)
Recruiting Matty Beniers Forward 17 Hingham, MA Thomas Bordeleau Forward 18 Houston, TX; Selected 38th overall in 2020 Brendan Brisson Forward 18 Manhattan Beach, CA; Selected 29th overall in 2020 Josh Groll Forward 19 San Diego, CA Steve Holtz Defenseman 21 White Lake, MI Kent Johnson Forward 17 Port Moody, BC Philippe Lapointe Forward 20 Hinsdale, IL Erik Portillo Goaltender 20 Göteborg, SWE; Selected 67th overall in 2019 Owen Power Defenseman 17 Mississauga, ON Jacob Truscott Defenseman 18 Fort Gratiot, MI; Selected 144th overall in 2020
Roster As of September 1, 2020
Coaching staff
Mel Pearson Head Coach 4th Bill Muckalt Associate head coach 4th Kris Mayotte Assistant Coach 2nd Matt Hunwick Volunteer Assistant Coach 2nd Steve Shields Program Assistant 3rd Rick Bancroft Director of Hockey Operations 3rd Joe Maher Head Strength and Conditioning Coach 8thReference:
Standings
Schedule and results
!colspan=12 style=";" | Regular season
|- style="background:#bbbbbb" | March 10 | TBA | at Michigan State | | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, MI (Rivalry) | colspan=5 rowspan=1 style="text-align:center"|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |- !colspan=12 style=";" |
!colspan=12 style=";" | |- style="background:#bbbbbb" | March 26 | 4:00 PM | vs. #9 Minnesota Duluth | align=center|#8 | Scheels Arena • Fargo, ND (Regional semifinals) | ESPNU | colspan=5 rowspan=1 style="text-align:center"|Cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols
Rankings
PollWeekPre123456789101112131415161718192021 (Final) USCHO.com126475678998778777678—9 USA Today126375678910977867776899 USCHO did not release a poll in week 20.
Awards and honors Thomas Bordeleau Tim Taylor Award Cameron York AHCA West First Team All-American Cameron York Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Thomas Bordeleau Big Ten Freshman of the Year Cameron York Big Ten First Team Thomas Bordeleau Big Ten Second Team Strauss Mann Owen Power Matty Beniers Big Ten Freshman Team Thomas Bordeleau Kent Johnson Owen Power
Players drafted into the NHL Michigan had four players selected in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Brendan Brisson was drafted in the first-round, becoming the 25th first-round NHL Draft selection for Michigan, which leads all NCAA teams. Michigan had three players drafted in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Owen Power became the first Wolverine to be drafted first overall.
2021 1 1 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres 2021 1 2 Matty Beniers Seattle Kraken 2021 1 5 Kent Johnson Columbus Blue Jackets 2020 1 29 Brendan Brisson Vegas Golden Knights 2020 2 38 Thomas Bordeleau San Jose Sharks 2020 4 120 Ethan Edwards New Jersey Devils 2020 5 144 Jacob Truscott Vancouver Canucks
References
External links Official Website