Michigan Hockey’s pipeline is loaded, but its reach goes well beyond the NHL. Here is where some of your favorite former Wolverines are playing professionally outside the top league in the world.
American Hockey League
Jack Becker, F
Michigan: 2018-21
Team: Texas Stars
2025-26 stats: 58 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 PTS
Becker put together a strong season in Texas, finishing with 30 points and continuing to show the reliable, hard-nosed game that made him valuable at Michigan. He may not be the flashiest name on this list, but 12 goals and 30 points in the AHL
is a solid year.
Thomas Bordeleau, C
Michigan: 2020-22
Team: Springfield Thunderbirds
2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS
Bordeleau split the season between Utica and Springfield, finishing with 17 points. The skill has never been the question with him. He remains one of the more talented offensive players on this list and is still trying to work his way back into a larger NHL role.
Phillip Di Giuseppe, LW
Michigan: 2011-14
Team: Manitoba Moose
2025-26 stats: 55 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 PTS
Di Giuseppe has been around pro hockey for a long time, and that experience still matters. After spending years bouncing between the NHL and AHL, he gave Manitoba a veteran winger who can produce, play responsibly and help younger players adjust to the pro game.
Ethan Edwards, D
Michigan: 2021-24
Team: Utica Comets
2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 23 PTS
Edwards had one of the better seasons among Michigan’s young pro defensemen. He played a heavy AHL schedule and added 10 goals from the blue line, which is a pretty encouraging sign for a player still early in his professional career.
Luca Fantilli, D
Michigan: 2023-26
Team: Charlotte Checkers
2025-26 pro stats: No pro stats yet
Fantilli signed with Charlotte after finishing his Michigan career, so he does not have 2025-26 professional stats. His first full pro season will be worth watching after he developed into a steady presence on Michigan’s blue line.
Jackson Hallum, F
Michigan: 2021-23
Team: Henderson Silver Knights
2025-26 stats: 58 GP, 9 G, 15 A, 24 PTS
Hallum quietly put together a solid season with Henderson. His speed was always the calling card, and a 24-point AHL season shows he is becoming more than just a forechecker. He is carving out a real role in the Golden Knights organization.
Cooper Marody, C
Michigan: 2016-18
Team: Coachella Valley Firebirds
2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 8 G, 20 A, 28 PTS
Marody split the season between Lehigh Valley and Coachella Valley and remained a productive AHL playmaker. He has been a reliable scorer at this level for years, and even in a season with a midyear move, he still found a way to produce.
Erik Portillo, G
Michigan: 2021-23
Team: Ontario Reign
2025-26 stats: 30 GP, 18-7-3, 2.45 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO
Portillo continues to be one of Michigan’s most notable goalie alums. He won 18 games for Ontario and posted a strong goals against average, keeping himself in the conversation as a legitimate goaltending option for the Kings.
Jacob Truscott, D
Michigan: 2020-25
Team: Grand Rapids Griffins
2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 4 G, 16 A, 20 PTS across AHL/ECHL
Truscott split his first pro season between Grand Rapids and Toledo. The important part is he played a lot and produced from the back end, including three assists in his AHL sample with the Griffins.
Brendan Warren, F
Michigan: 2015-19
Team: Rochester Americans
2025-26 stats: 63 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS
Warren has become a steady AHL veteran. His numbers do not jump off the page, but he has stuck around because he skates well, plays hard and can be trusted in a depth role. There is value in that, especially over a long AHL season.
ECHL
Jake Barczewski, G
Michigan: 2023-24
Team: Idaho Steelheads
2025-26 stats with Idaho: 24 GP, 15-6-2, 2.43 GAA, .922 SV%
Barczewski had a strong season in Idaho after finishing his college career at Michigan. A .922 save percentage is excellent at any professional level and gives him a real foundation as he tries to keep climbing.
Mark Estapa, F
Michigan: 2021-25
Team: Trois-Rivières Lions
2025-26 stats: 63 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 PTS
Estapa was never just about scoring at Michigan, and the same applies in the ECHL. He brings physicality, energy and a willingness to play a heavy game. Fifteen points as a rookie pro is a decent start for a player whose value goes beyond the scoresheet.
Nick Granowicz, F
Michigan: 2019-22
Team: Savannah Ghost Pirates
2025-26 stats: 54 GP, 11 G, 11 A, 22 PTS
Granowicz had a productive year in Savannah with 22 points. He was a dependable depth forward at Michigan and has continued to build a pro career by being reliable, versatile and difficult to play against.
Jack LaFontaine, G
Michigan: 2016-18
Team: Kansas City Mavericks
2025-26 stats: 29 GP, 22-2-3, 1.97 GAA, .928 SV%
LaFontaine had one of the best seasons of any former Wolverine outside the NHL. A .928 save percentage and 1.97 goals against average are outstanding, and his 22 wins helped anchor a dominant Kansas City team.
Keaton Pehrson, D
Michigan: 2018-23
Team: Savannah Ghost Pirates
2025-26 stats: 55 GP, 2 G, 14 A, 16 PTS
Pehrson continued his pro career with a steady season in Savannah. He was never a high-risk offensive defenseman at Michigan, but he moves the puck well enough and gives his team dependable minutes on the back end.
Garrett Van Wyhe, C
Michigan: 2018-22
Team: Toledo Walleye
2025-26 stats: 54 GP, 17 G, 12 A, 29 PTS across Jacksonville and Toledo
Van Wyhe split the season between Jacksonville and Toledo and ended up having one of the better offensive seasons among Michigan’s ECHL alumni. He was especially productive after joining the Walleye, giving Toledo another experienced forward for its playoff push.
International leagues
Joseph Cecconi, D
Michigan: 2015-19
Team: Avangard Omsk
League: KHL
2025-26 stats: 56 GP, 1 G, 15 A, 16 PTS
Cecconi continues to play at a high level overseas, skating in the KHL with Avangard Omsk. His game has always been more about size, defensive responsibility and structure than gaudy point totals, but 16 points from the blue line is a solid season.
Jacob Hayhurst, F
Michigan: 2019-20
Team: Grizzlys Wolfsburg
League: DEL
2025-26 stats: 34 GP, 9 G, 13 A, 22 PTS
Hayhurst has turned his one season at Michigan into a steady pro path. He produced well in Germany, averaging better than a half-point per game and giving Wolfsburg another skilled forward who can create offense.
Jimmy Lambert, C
Michigan: 2018-22
Team: Grizzlys Wolfsburg
League: DEL
2025-26 stats: 55 GP, 13 G, 20 A, 33 PTS
Lambert had a strong year in Germany, finishing with 33 points before moving to Augsburger Panther. He was a dependable center at Michigan, and his speed and energy have translated well overseas.
Griffin Luce, D
Michigan: 2016-20
Team: Dundee Stars
League: EIHL
2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS
Luce’s role has never been about piling up points. The former Michigan defenseman brings size and defensive experience, and he continued his pro career in the United Kingdom with Dundee.
Strauss Mann, G
Michigan: 2018-21
Team: Skellefteå AIK
League: SHL
2025-26 stats: 42 GP, 31 wins, 1.93 GAA, .914 SV%, 10 SO
Mann had a monster season in Sweden. He won 31 games, posted a .914 save percentage and recorded 10 shutouts, making him one of the top goaltenders in the SHL. Among Michigan alumni outside the NHL, this was one of the best individual seasons.
Luke Martin, D
Michigan: 2017-20
Team: Örebro HK
League: SHL
2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 PTS
Martin had a strong offensive season from the blue line in Sweden’s top league. He has quietly built a very solid European career, and 23 points as a defenseman in the SHL is nothing to overlook.
Nick Pastujov, C
Michigan: 2016-20
Team: Herning Blue Fox
League: Metal Ligaen
2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 29 G, 33 A, 62 PTS
Pastujov was one of the biggest offensive standouts on this entire list. He was dominant in Denmark, finishing with 62 points in 45 regular-season games before adding even more production in the playoffs. That is the kind of season that gets noticed.
Dakota Raabe, F
Michigan: 2017-21
Team: Gap Rapaces
League: Ligue Magnus
2025-26 stats: 28 GP, 15 G, 10 A, 25 PTS
Raabe gave Gap strong production in France, scoring 15 goals in just 28 regular-season games. He was a role player at Michigan, but he has found a larger offensive role overseas and made the most of it.
