Michigan Ice Hockey Newcomer Spotlight: The Forwards
9/19/2018 4:36:00 PM | Ice Hockey, Features
In the weeks leading up to the 2018-19 season, MGoBlue.com will introduce the University of Michigan ice hockey team's 10-man freshman class and help fans get to know a little more about them. The final installment in the series highlights the five forwards, Jack Olmstead, Jimmy Lambert, Nolan Moyle, Jack Randl, and Garrett Van Wyhe.
Olmstead joins the Wolverines after spending the 2017-18 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he led the team in points and goals with 23 goals and 30 assists, tallying 53 points in 58 games. He also was named NAHL (East) Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: The academics and athletics, nothing is better than the combination we have here.
Q: When did you start playing hockey, and what got you hooked?
A: I started skating at the age of 2 and was playing by 3. The fact that I had all of my best friends playing with me got me hooked. Every Sunday we had games, and I definitely looked forward to them each week.
Q: Who is your favorite current or former Michigan athlete?
A: Tom Brady
Q: What is your first or favorite memory of Yost as a child?
A: I used to come to all the home games when I was younger, and I can remember since the very beginning that I always dreamed of playing here one day.
Q: What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to most?
A: As far as the team, we think we're good enough to win it all this year, so that is our main goal. Individually, just work hard and get better every single day in practice.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your hockey career thus far?
A: My dad has been the most influential throughout my career. Also, Vladislav Namestnikov, who plays for the New York Rangers, helped get me started with hockey and made me love the sport.
Q: Do you have any pregame routines that you do before every game?
A: Yes, I like to nap before the games, and two hours prior to puck drop I will always eat a Clif bar and a banana.
Lambert comes to Michigan after spending last season with the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) where he led the team in points with 61 (23 goals, 38 assists) in 55 games. Lambert's uncle, Lane Lambert, won the 2018 Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: I chose Michigan because of the incredible school history, regarding both the academics and athletics, as well as the incredible feeling I get every time I step on campus.
Q: When did you start playing hockey, and what got you hooked?
A: I started skating when I was 2 years old, and I think the challenging fast pace is what got me hooked.
Q: Who is your favorite current or former Michigan athlete?
A: Tom Brady
Q: What are two interesting things about yourself that are not related to hockey?
A: I was born in the United Kingdom and I play golf competitively.
Q: What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to most?
A: My No. 1 goal is to win a national championship and also to have a positive impact on the team throughout the whole season.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your hockey career thus far?
A: Both of my parents, they've been there since day one. They have driven me to practice every day, and they also pay for the expenses that come along with the sport of hockey.
Q: Do you have any pregame routines that you do before every game?
A: No, I just try to stay relaxed and have fun with the boys. When it comes close to game time, I like to zone in and focus.
Moyle joins the Maize and Blue after spending the past two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2017-18 season, Moyle netted 19 goals and 26 assists in 45 games with the Gamblers.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: It is a great school for both athletics and academics.
Q: When did you start playing hockey, and what got you hooked?
A: I started playing when I was 5 years old, and I just absolutely loved skating when I was little.
Q: Who is your favorite current or former Michigan athlete?
A: Tom Brady
Q: Beyond hockey, what could you see yourself doing in the future? What are you interested in?
A: Something business related.
Q: What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to most?
A: My goal is for us to win a national championship and academically, make honor roll. I am looking forward to my first game at Yost and playing in that atmosphere.
Q: Which of the returning players do you look up to the most? Who has had the biggest impact on you so far?
A: Jake Slaker. I was here over the summer and so was he. He has been a great leader and given me a lot of information that I have been able to absorb.
Q: Do you have any pregame routines that you do before every game?
A: Usually eat chicken and pasta before every game. Put the left side of my gear on first.
Randl spent the 2017-18 season with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) where he recorded 32 points (20 goals, 12 assists) in 49 games played. He was also awarded the Team Rookie of the year during the 2016-17 season and won the Team Leadership Award two years in a row.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: I chose Michigan because the coaches were really interested in me and when I visited I fell in love with the campus life, the rink atmosphere and the fantastic facilities.
Q: When did you start playing hockey, and what got you hooked?
A: I started when I was about 4 years old and instantly fell in love with being around the rink and being on the ice.
Q: Who is your favorite current or former Michigan athlete?
A: Moritz Wagner
Q: Which of the returning players do you look up to the most? Who has had the biggest impact on you so far?
A: Will Lockwood. I sit next to him in the locker room. He's a great player and I have been able to pick his brain on a lot of things.
Q: What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to most?
A: For us to win a national championship, and I want to make an impact and a difference for this team. Stepping on the ice for the first time in front of the fans and the band.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your hockey career thus far?
A: My dad. He played hockey and taught me how to skate and the game. He has always helped me out and supported me along the way.
Q: Beyond hockey, what else are you interested?
A: I like baseball and football. I am a big Cubs and Bears fan.
Van Wyhe joins the Wolverines after spending last season with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) where he helped lead the team to the USHL Championship with 10 goals and had 13 assists in 59 games.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: I chose the Maize and Blue because I wanted to become part of the Michigan hockey family, all while furthering my hockey career.
Q: When did you start playing hockey, and what got you hooked?
A: I started playing when I was 5 years old and absolutely loved the fast-paced nature of the game and the fact that I could hit people -- I found that really exciting.
Q: Who is your favorite current or former Michigan athlete?
A: Carl Hagelin
Q: Do you have nickname and is there a story behind it?
A: I've always had the nickname "Tugs" because of my middle name.
Q: What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to most?
A: To contribute on and off the ice as much as I can to the team. To be able to be a part of the Michigan hockey tradition and history and add a 10th banner to the rafters.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your hockey career thus far?
A: John Lafontaine, my coach in the NAHL in Muskegon. I was definitely not the best player there, but he believed in my potential.
Q: Do you have any pregame routines that you do before every game?
A: In between periods I usually have a Snickers and Gatorade one period and eat the rest the following intermission.
Q: What was it like growing up in Seattle playing hockey and the thoughts on them getting an NHL team?
A: Even though hockey isn't as prominent, the hockey they do have they have has a rabid fan base. With the new NHL team, I think they will have no problem having a great fan base. Look at the Sounders and Seahawks and how crazy those games are. I always embrace representing Seattle as my hometown and am honored when it's announced alongside my name.
