University of Michigan Hockey Roster: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Michigan boasts a storied tradition in varsity hockey, dating back to the 1922 school year. This article delves into the composition of the team, providing information about players, their backgrounds, and the program's history.

Current Roster Breakdown

The University of Michigan hockey team's roster includes a diverse group of players spanning various positions and experience levels. The roster includes both returning veterans and promising newcomers.

Goaltenders

The team features several goaltenders vying for playing time. These include:

Jack Ivankovic, a young talent born in 2007 from Mississauga, ON, CAN.
Julian Molinaro, born in 2003 also from Mississauga, ON, CAN.
Grant Neuhardt, a local player from Traverse City, MI, USA, born in 2004, expected to stay until 2025/26.
Stephen Peck, born in 2005 from New York, NY, USA.

Defensemen

The defensive corps consists of a mix of seasoned players and rising stars:

Asher Barnett, a defenseman born in 2007 from Wilmette, IL, USA.
Tyler Duke, an alternate captain ("A") born in 2004 from Strongsville, OH, USA.
Luca Fantilli, another alternate captain ("A") born in 2002 from Nobleton, ON, CAN, expected to stay until 2025/26.
Miles Gust, born in 2004 from Chicago, IL, USA.
Hunter Hady, born in 2004 from Rochester, MN, USA.
Matthew Mania, born in 2005 from Brandon, FL, USA.
Henry Mews, born in 2006 from Ottawa, ON, CAN.
Joshua Orrico, born in 2003 from Woodbridge, ON, CAN.
Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen, born in 2006 from Northville, MI, USA.
Ben Robertson, born in 2004 from Potomac Falls, VA, USA.
Drew Schock, born in 2007 from Green Bay, WI, USA.

Forwards

The forward lines are comprised of a range of players with diverse skill sets:

Kienan Draper, an alternate captain ("A") born in 2002 from Royal Oak, MI, USA, expected to stay until 2025/26.
Joshua Eernisse, born in 2001 from Apple Valley, MN, USA, expected to stay until 2025/26.
Michael Hage, born in 2006 from Mississauga, ON, CAN.
William Horcoff, born in 2007 from Birmingham, MI, USA.

Historical Roster Data

The University of Michigan hockey program has a comprehensive database containing over 1,600 player/year records. Each record represents a year an individual was a member of the team. For instance, a player who played for four years will have four records. The database spans from the 1922 school year to the present. Some years, such as 1943-1945 and 1945-1947, have five records.

Data Standardization and Sources

The database standardizes names, with last names and first name-middle name/initial in separate fields. Variant spellings of last names have been adjusted, and first names are presented in a consistent form (e.g., "Jim" to "James"). When only last names were available on rosters, efforts were made to determine the first name from other sources. The athletic department, alumni association necrology files, and newspaper clippings served as valuable resources.

Roster Information

The database includes the player's uniform number, although this data is only available from the 1938 season onwards. It also indicates whether the individual was awarded a letter (varsity letter). A blank field signifies a non-letter winner. Additional information, such as class designation (e.g., Senior) is also included.

Hometowns

Player hometowns are listed using standard US postal abbreviations for states. It's important to note that some players and their families changed "hometowns" during their college careers. In such cases, information from team media guides, game programs, or other sources was used. If high school information is available, the high school location is used as the hometown name.

Data Limitations

The database is not without its limitations. The primary source of information is the Official List of Letterwinners. As a result, many non-letter-winning players may not be listed. It's also possible for a player to win a freshman letter and then not win a varsity letter until their senior season. In such cases, the player might not be listed in the database for their sophomore and junior years, even if they were a member of the team. The "All-Freshman" letter was first awarded in 1930. Freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition in all years. Efforts to address these gaps and update the database are ongoing.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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