Michigan to Host U.S. National Development Team on Wednesday

Wednesday, February 2

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

U.S. NTDP U-18 Team (ex)

Thomas Bordeleau (Michigan Photography)

Michigan to Host U.S. National Development Team on Wednesday

2/1/2022 8:33:00 PM | Ice Hockey

By: Kristy McNeil

» Seven members of the Michigan team hail from the USNTDP.
» The USNTDP features four future Michigan Wolverines.
» Michigan is 15-4 in the all-time series but is 0-2 in the last two meetings

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

PROMOTIONS
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Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the University of Michigan has instituted a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative-test protocol for indoor athletic events. Face masks continue to be required and must be worn during all home indoor athletic events. [ U-M Vaccination Policy ]

The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (21-7-1) hosts the United States National Team Development Program in an exhibition game on Wednesday (Feb. 2) at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drops is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.

Wolverine Bites

• Michigan is 21-7-1 after sweeping Wisconsin last weekend (Jan. 28-29) to finish off a 7-1 month of January.

• Seventeen different Wolverines made the scoresheet at Wisconsin in the balanced offensive effort.

• U-M checks in at No. 3 in the USCHO poll and No. 4 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine rankings.

• Michigan will be without Matty Beniers, Brendan Brisson (United States) and Owen Power, Kent Johnson (Canada) -- all of who have reported for the Olympics.

• The quartet of Olympians leads the team in scoring -- Beniers (36 points), Brisson (32), Johnson (30), Power (26). Fifth on the team in scoring is sophomore Thomas Bordeleau with 24 points on seven goals and 17 assists. Luke Hughes, who leads the nation's rookie defensemen in scoring, follows with 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists. Fifth-year Michael Pastujov and freshman Mackie Samoskevich add 18 points apiece, while three others have reach double-digits in scoring.

• Sophomore Erik Portillo has started every game in net for the Wolverines, assembling a 21-7-1 record with two shutouts, a .926 save percentage, and a 2.20 goals-against average. The Swedish stalwart leads the NCAA with 793 saves, while sitting second at 21 wins.

Scouting the USNTDP

• There are four members of the USNDTP team that have signed National Letters of Intent with Michigan, including: Hunter Brzustewicz, Seamus Casey, Rutger McGroarty and Frank Nazar III.

• Hunter Brzustewicz, a defenseman from Washington Township, Mich., has scored twice this season in addition to nine assists with a +17 rating.

• Rutger McGroarty recently was named MVP at the BioSteel All-American Game for his effort, including a critical late goal. He has been a staple in the top-six, scoring 15 goals with 17 assists for 32 points in 28 games.

• Frank Nazar III leads the team in scoring with 42 points with 16 goals and 26 assists in his 35 games played.

• Seamus Casey is a right-handed blueliner with five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 33 games.

• This year's U-18 group has knocked off a number of Division I opponents, including North Dakota, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, Wisconsin and Boston University.

• Behind Nazar in scoring are Isaac Howard and Jimmy Snuggerud, tied for second with 40 points apiece. Logan Cooley sits fourth with 37 points, but he does pace the team with 1.37 points/gm and represented the US at the World Juniors.

• Puck-mover Lane Hutson leads NTDP D-men in points with 31 while Casey is second with 21.

• Tyler Muszelik (14-4-2) and Dylan Silverstein (8-5) have split goaltending duties.

Up Next

Friday, Feb. 11 -- vs. Michigan State (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 12 -- vs. Michigan State - Duel in the D (Detroit, Mich.), 7 p.m.