Michigan's Top NHL Draft Picks Returning for 2021-22 Season
8/20/2021 7:17:00 PM | Ice Hockey
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson announced Friday (Aug. 20) that they will return to the University of Michigan for the 2021-22 season. Power was the No. 1 overall selection in July's 2021 NHL Draft, while Beniers was selected No. 2 and Johnson No. 4.
The trio will be joined by three other first-round selections on the Wolverines roster, including incoming freshmen Luke Hughes (No. 4), Mackie Samoskevich (No. 24), junior Johnny Beecher (No. 30, 2019), sophomore Brendan Brisson (No. 29, 2020) along with five other NHL Draft picks.
Power, the No. 1 selection of the Buffalo Sabres, was the top-scoring rookie defenseman in the league last season with 16 points. He was on the ice for 31 of Michigan's goals and was a +18 rating. Power led the Maize and Blue in blocked shots with 40 and took just three penalties. Tabbed the College Hockey News Rookie of the Year, Power was a finalist for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was named to the conference's All-Freshman Team and was named second team All-Big Ten.
Selected as the first draft pick of the expansion Seattle Kraken with the No. 2 overall pick, Beniers led the Big Ten in on-ice rating in his freshman campaign with a +21. He scored 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games and ranked fourth in the NCAA in rookie points per game. Beniers won two medals with USA Hockey in a six-month span, capturing gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship and a bronze at the World Championship.
Johnson, chosen fifth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, made his debut with Michigan last season with a four-assist game. He was second on the team in scoring with 27 points (nine goals and 18 assists) in 26 games played, ranking him third in the nation in rookie points per game. He finished a +16 and was a Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection and honorable mention All-Big Ten. Johnson recently took part in the Hockey Canada summer development camp.
The Wolverines are slated to open the season on Friday, Oct. 8, hosting a two-game series with Lake Superior State at Yost Ice Arena.
