Michigan to Get Back in Action Saturday in Exhibition Against USNTDP U-18 Squad

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (8-7-3) returns to the ice after more than a month off when they take on the United States National Team Development Program U-18 squad in an exhibition contest on Saturday (Jan. 6) at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Opening faceoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on USAHockeyTV.com.

Notes

• Michigan is 17-4 in exhibition games against the USNTDP since 2000. The teams have faced off just one other time at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., on Dec. 2, 2017, a 7-3 Wolverine victory.

• There are three block Ms on the USNTDP line chart, as Michigan commits. They include Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, Kristian Epperson and Christian Humphreys. Another familiar name is Noah Lapointe, an Arizona State commit and brother of Michigan's Philippe.

• Michigan is 8-7-3 overall and ranked No. 15 in the latest USCHO poll. The Wolverines have been idle since splitting with Notre Dame on Dec. 1-2, due to its Big Ten bye week coupled with the holiday break.

• Four Wolverines are vying for medals at the 2024 World Junior Championships with Team USA. The medal round is slated for Friday (Jan. 5) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Gavin Brindley leads all skaters in the tournament in goals with six and Frank Nazar III ranks second among all skaters in assists with eight. Captain Rutger McGroarty is 4-3-7 and Seamus Casey has five assists in the four games he has played, with all four U-M participants well over one point per game.

• Averaging four goals per game, Michigan ranks fourth nationally in scoring offense. Casey leads the team with 23 points (4-19-23), followed by T.J. Hughes with 22 points (9-13-22). Dylan Duke has reached 20 points (8-12-20) with half of his goals being game-winning tallies. Three others have 18 points including leading goal scorer Brindley, who has 10 lamp lighters.

• Michigan's power play has converted on 31.5 percent of its chances (23-for-73) to rank second in the nation. Hughes leads the way with 15 points on the power play with five goals and 10 helpers.

• The Wolverines have had great success at the faceoff dot this season and rank eighth in the country at 54.3 percent. Mark Estapa has the best percentage at 63 followed by Hughes at 59.7 percent. Nazar has won the most, 188 total and is 56.6 percent.