Michigan Hockey is well-positioned to bounce back after a letdown 2024-25 season, even if the Wolverines miss out on super phenom Gavin McKenna. Here is how head coach Brandon Naurato could configure his lines to start the season:
How do the Michigan Wolverines rebound from their disappointing 2024-25 campaign, which saw them miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019?
Head coach Brandon Naurato has a solid, veteran group of returners, a talented and deep freshman class, and an influx of OHL commitments. There are rumors that elite prospect Gavin McKenna could head to Penn State, and that would change everything for a program that was once favored to land him.
But for now, here is how the Wolverines could line up to start next season.
Forward Line #1
Will Horcoff – TJ Hughes – Michael Hage
Naurato may opt to spread out his two most dynamic forwards in Hughes and Hage, both of whom were the only Michigan skaters to top 30 points last year (Hughes had 15 goals and 23 assists, while Hage tallied 13 goals and 21 assists). They are dangerous and creative puck-handlers and would benefit from a big-bodied, net-front presence like Horcoff, who can win in the ugly areas.
Hage is a natural center and playing him on the wing may diminish his value, but this trio would cause nightmares for opposing defensemen. Michigan has also not been afraid to load up on top-line scoring, and this group would stack up with the best lines in the nation.
Forward Line #2
Malcolm Spence – Cole McKinney – Jayden Perron
The newcomers line includes two freshmen (Spence and McKinney) and a junior transfer from North Dakota (Perron). Spence has good size at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and plays a surprisingly refined game for someone who won’t turn 19 until September. His forechecking, defensive responsibility and offensive zone senses will fit in nicely on any line.
McKinney , another potential first-round pick in the NHL Draft , is a strong defensive center with enough scoring pop to earn top-six minutes. His relentless pursuit of the puck would wreak havoc alongside Spence.
Then there is Perron, who netted 21 goals in 70 games for the Fighting Hawks. That shot and familiarity with the physicality and speed of the NCAA game will help ease the transitions for the youngsters.
Forward Line #3
Garrett Schifsky – Aidan Park – Nick Moldenhauer
Schifsky had a solid sophomore season with 11 goals and nine assists and saw plenty of time as a top-six winger. However, given the incoming talent, supplementing the depth scoring may be a better fit for him in 2025-26.
Park is a savvy freshman with enough instincts and hockey IQ to center a couple experienced wingers. His non-stop movement would pair nicely with Schifsky and Moldenhauer, both of whom skate well.
Finally, Moldenhauer will look to get back on track as a scorer (three goals, seven assists last season; eight goals, 13 assists as a freshman), but does not need the heavy expectations of a top-line point-producer.
Forward Line #4
Tanner Rowe – Kienan Draper- Josh Eernisse
The hustle, checking line features three upperclassmen who can play heavy games. The Wolverines struggled at times against more physical opponents, and having a line filled with tough forwards would be a nice depth option.
These three combined for just eight goals and 12 assists in 2024-25, but that is not their main objective. They need to inflict pain on defensemen below the goal line and play that wear-and-tear style that opens things up for the scoring lines.
Defensively, this is a responsible group that Naurato should feel confident rolling out in a variety of situations.
Defense Pair #1
Ben Robertson – Luca Fantilli
A lefty-heavy defense core will likely end up with someone playing on their offside. Fantilli, now entering his senior season, feels like a good bet. He is a smooth skater and confident with the puck. Robertson — a Cornell transfer — has great anticipation and is a proven top-four defenseman in the NCAA.
Without a Jacob Truscott or Ethan Edwards-like No. 1 defensemen, Naurato will have to get creative with these pairings. For now, partnering two veterans with complementary skills looks like the best choice.
Defense Pair #2
Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen – Henry Mews
“DKR” showed flashes as a freshman, particularly with his strong skating and solid defensive play. His offensive game is still growing (three goals, six assists), but another year should do wonders for his development.
Mews is a 6-foot-1 righty who showed off his offensive prowess with 68 assists in 68 OHL games in 2024-25. He still needs work in the defensive zone, but his fluid passing would make for a fun combination with DKR’s mobility.
Defense Pair #3
Asher Barnett – Hunter Hady
This is where it gets a little more complicated. Hady should be a fixture after appearing in 32 games as a freshman. At 6-foot-4, the right-hander has great range and a mean streak necessary to survive in the Big Ten. He still needs to develop a more confident offensive game to blossom into a star, but he has all the physical tools.
Barnett is a freshman from the USNTDP program (alongside McKinney, as the two will play together for the 10th consecutive season ) with a reliable, structured defensive mindset. He will likely battle with fellow USNTDP alum Drew Schock IV for minutes early on, but let’s go with the safer pick in Barnett for now.
Goaltender
Jack Ivankovic – Julian Molinaro
All signs point toward Ivankovic as the opening day starter between the pipes. The freshman from the OHL and a competitor for Team Canada’s U20/U18 teams already has an impressive international resume. He has big-game experience at the World Juniors and should settle in comfortably to the raucous Midwest environments.
Molinaro could vie for starts, too, but he played in just one game for Northern Michigan in 2024-25. The Wolverines had to navigate a Logan Stein-Cameron Korpi split last year and can ideally lean on Ivankovic for a big workload.
Scratches who can still earn playing time
D Drew Schock, Fr
D Josh Orrico, Jr
F Teddy Spitznagel, Fr