The most anticipated Michigan hockey season in five years is upon us! After a heartbreaking double-overtime defeat in the Frozen Four back in the spring, Michigan returns one of the best rosters in the country, aiming to reclaim the sport’s crown for the first time since 1998.
Up first in 2026 is a home-and-home series with Bowling Green. The resurgent Falcons are on the opposite end of the success spectrum compared to their abominable football team and offer an interesting litmus test for the Wolverines
to begin the season.
Michigan loses its leading scorer in T.J. Hughes — who is currently on PP-1 with the Avalanche even after going undrafted — but returns the next nine leading scorers from last season and 10 of the top-11. Michael Hage is the headliner and must be considered a Hobey Baker frontrunner. His surprising return was quickly echoed by fellow NHL Draft first-rounder and last year’s top goal-scorer, Will Horcoff.
Other returning forwards to know before puck drop are Jayden Perron, who is arguably the most skilled player on the team. Garrett Schifsky, whose fearless, relentless style of play earned him the “C” on his sweater. Nick Moldenhauer is the top returner in +/- and is a player whose game always rises after the winter break. Adam Valentini is a pit bull on the ice, and Malcom Spence is a hard-skill extraordinaire.
On the blue line, Ben Robertson is an adult-in-the-room D-man with a vision that borders on clairvoyant. Asher Barnett is a rising sophomore phenom and the youngest alternate captain on the team. Henry Mews, who was the top power-play quarterback before his season-ending injury last November, brings a dynamic versatility to both ends of the ice.
In net, Jack Ivankovic is the anchor of this team and one of the three best starting goalies in all of college hockey. This alone would make this team a national title contender, but we haven’t even mentioned the rockstar freshman class.
J.P. Hurlbert, Brandt Harper, Jack Nesbitt, Cam Reid, Kieren Dervin, Nic Sima and Landon DuPont — the latter being the most highly touted recruit in program history — will all have an opportunity to see the ice this season. It’s hard to place expectations on this group, but the excitement is through the roof. For more on this team and the freshmen especially, check out my interview with head coach Brandon Naurato from August.
Bowling Green
This is far from a pushover season-opener. While ranked outside the top-20, Bowling Green would technically be ranked 24 in an expanded poll and was picked to finish second in the CCHA. In his second stint behind the bench, head coach Dennis Williams has brought the Falcons back to relevance.
After three straight losing seasons, Bowling Green has won 18 games in each of the last two years and is looking to break that barrier and reach the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Falcons fell short in the conference tournament, but were 1-0-3 against Big Ten competition and have actually won the last two meetings against the Wolverines in 2013 and 2018.
Although not known for offense, keep an eye on Brody Waters, who has scored more than half his career goals on the power play, and Ben Doran, their top returning scorer and a force in the face-off circle. Defensively, Breck McKinley is the Falcons’ best player. McKinley was second among all defensemen nationally with 24 assists during the regular season and eighth in points last season.
Between the pipes, sophomore Jacob Steinman showed immense potential in 15 games last year, posting 352 saves and a .921 save percentage. Steinman will be viewed as the guy long-term, although he may be on an early-season “pitch count” after suffering a season-ending injury on Valentine’s Day last year.
Key to the Game
Set the tone. For this game and the season ahead, set the tone early with physicality and speed. October hockey is often sloppy, but mistakes can be overcome and compensated for with intense effort. The Wolverines have talent advantages at every position, and until they can consistently exploit those with sustained sharp skill and chemistry, they need to win with energy. It sounds rudimentary, but it is easy to get caught flat-footed after such a long layoff from live play. Just ask Michigan football.
However, high energy does not have to translate to high penalties. Bowling Green will be looking for every opportunity to get to the man-advantage to mitigate the talent disparity. If Michigan can keep the mistakes low and energy high, it should be 2-0 by this time next week.
Game 1
- When: Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Yost Ice Arena; Ann Arbor, MI
- How to watch: BIG+
- How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
- When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m. ET
- Where: Slater Family Ice Arena; Bowling Green, Ohio
- How to watch: CCHATV
- How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
