KENT JOHNSON

1 overall pick in Michigan history picked up his first NHL penalty as well for cross-checking forward Jordan Kyrou. Power had three goals and 29 assists in 33 games this season as a sophomore at Michigan. 2 overall pick to make an impact for the Seattle Kraken. 5 overall pick last year played just 11:05 in his debut Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, but 1:23 came on the power play. 38 overall pick in 2020 recorded an assist on his pro shift with the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate.

The exodus of Michigan hockey NHL draft picks leaving for the pros continued Wednesday. Junior forward Johnny Beecher, 21, became the eighth Wolverine and fifth first-round pick to depart this offseason, signing an amateur tryout agreement with the Boston Bruins. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound center will immediately join the Providence Bruins, Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate, according to general manager Don Sweeney. “The Bruins and Johnny are leaving all options open with regards to his availability for the remainder of this season and playoffs. Michigan’s only first-round picks who haven’t signed pro deals since last Thursday’s loss to the Pioneers are freshman defenseman Luke Hughes (No.

Two of the Michigan hockey team’s top contributors for the 2021-22 season are headed to the Columbus Blue Jackets. 5 overall pick last July, signed a three-year, entry-level deal on Friday, while senior defenseman Nick Blankenburg, the Wolverines’ captain, inked a one-year, entry-level deal for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. “Kent Johnson is a remarkable young man both on and off the ice,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. The undrafted defenseman finished with 25 goals and 43 assists in 133 games over four seasons at Michigan. RELATED: Michigan hockey enters uncertain offseason after Frozen Four overtime loss to Denver

Owen Power is trading in Michigan maize and blue for the blue and gold of the Buffalo Sabres, and he is far from the only Wolverine making the leap to the NHL. The Michigan exodus is underway less than 24 hours after the loaded Wolverines were knocked out of the Frozen Four short of a national title. Before Power inked his deal with Buffalo on Friday, teammates Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Michigan’s hockey team had high expectations for the 2021-22 season from the moment it stepped onto the ice for its first practice. Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Power played two seasons with the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League. In the six games Power missed while in Beijing from Jan. 28-Feb. 19, Luke had seven goals and three assists. MORE: Michigan’s ‘old veteran’ ready for one last rideHow Michigan fared in last 10 NCAA appearancesIt’s Frozen Four or bust for Michigan’s star-studded hockey teamMichigan hockey racks up Big Ten honorsNick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captainSee how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 years‘Rock star’ goalie Erik Portillo a difference-maker for Michigan hockeyNew assistant’s analytical approach paying dividends for No. 3 Michigan hockeyLaw firm investigates Michigan hockey over allegations of COVID deception, toxic environment

8 Notre Dame on Saturday, head coach Mel Pearson sat down with his three Olympian forwards to discuss what his expectations were of them moving forward. Matty Beniers drives the line, does some good things and ‘Bris’, he was good. “I’m not sure if any other team has that combination of players on one line,” Beniers said. You don’t want to give them much time or space or room because they can make you pay.”MORE MICHIGAN HOCKEY: Nick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captainIt’s Frozen Four or bust for Michigan’s star-studded hockey teamMichigan hockey’s Olympians describe Beijing experience: ‘It was a wild journey’See how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 years‘Rock star’ goalie Erik Portillo a difference-maker for Michigan hockeyNew assistant’s analytical approach paying dividends for No. 3 Michigan hockeyLaw firm investigates Michigan hockey over allegations of COVID deception, toxic environment

The month of February was a whirlwind for the Michigan hockey team’s four Olympians. We weren’t allowed to do much other than that.”With Canada holding a training camp before the Beijing games, Johnson and Power missed six Michigan games from Jan. 29-Feb. 19. Despite the Olympians being Michigan’s four leading scorers before leaving for Beijing, the fifth-ranked Wolverines (25-9-1) won every game without them. We’ve won a lot of games, so I’m not too concerned.”MORE MICHIGAN HOCKEY: Nick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captainSee how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 years‘Rock star’ goalie Erik Portillo a difference-maker for Michigan hockeyNew assistant’s analytical approach paying dividends for No. 3 Michigan hockeyLaw firm investigates Michigan hockey over allegations of COVID deception, toxic environment

ANN ARBOR – Despite missing its top four scorers Friday, Michigan’s hockey team kept on humming. The fourth-ranked Wolverines extended their win streak to four games, beating Michigan State 6-2 at Yost Ice Arena. With Friday’s win, the Wolverines pull into a first-place tie with Ohio State and still have two games in hand. 1 pick Owen Power named to Canada Olympic roster; Kent Johnson an alternateNick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captainSee how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 yearsNew assistant’s analytical approach paying dividends for No. 3 Michigan hockeyLaw firm investigates Michigan hockey over allegations of COVID deception, toxic environment

It didn’t take long for Michigan sophomore forwards Brendan Brisson and Matty Beniers to find the scoresheet at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 2 overall pick by the Seattle Kraken picked the top corner with a wrist shot to extend the lead to 7-0. With no NHL players participating in the winter games, Beniers and Brisson are two of 15 NCAA players on USA’s roster. RELATED: Michigan hockey’s Brisson, Beniers excited for ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity at 2022 OlympicsMeanwhile, former Michigan defenseman Steven Kampfer recorded an assist and was a plus-3. 3 Michigan hockeyLaw firm investigates Michigan hockey over allegations of COVID deception, toxic environment

Two more Michigan hockey players are headed to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres, was named to Team Canada’s 25-player roster on Tuesday, while sophomore forward Kent Johnson, the No. Their Olympic invites stem from the NHL’s decision to not participate in the 2022 Games because of COVID-19 and scheduling concerns. MORE MICHIGAN HOCKEY: Nick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captainSee how the Michigan hockey sweater has evolved over 97 yearsNew assistant’s analytical approach paying dividends for No. 3 Michigan hockey

Michigan’s hockey team is back in the top five of the U.S. College Hockey Online rankings after a weekend sweep over defending national champion UMass. The team opened the second half of their season last weekend with 4-1 and 4-2 victories over No. The wins vaulted Michigan into the top five for the first time since the Dec. 13 USCHO poll. The Wolverines benefitted from having five key players back in the lineup after they missed the team’s previous game Dec. 29 against Michigan Tech. They are the top three scorers on the team and all rank in the top-10 nationally in scoring.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s hockey team tied a program record this year with five players competing at the World Junior Championship, an annual showcase of national under-20 hockey teams from around the world. 6 Michigan hockey past defending national champsWith the NHL opting out of participating in the 2022 Beijing Olympics that begin next month, countries will have to look elsewhere to fill their rosters, including NCAA teams. With a rich talent pool in Ann Arbor this year, Olympic teams could be enticed by a handful of Wolverines. More Michigan players could receive invites as the process unfolds. Johnson, who leads the team with 26 points, is on a long list of candidates for Canada, according to The Athletic.

Johnson, who competed for Team Canada at the WJC, scored on a feed from Brisson on a three-on-one to give No. With 3:12 remaining, the line capitalized on another odd-man rush, this time with Brisson finishing a pass from Beniers, a member of Team USA. “They’re three of the top players in the leaguem and they definitely showed it tonight,” Michigan freshman defenseman Ethan Edwards said. Just 75 seconds in, Johnson set up Brisson, who rifled a one-timer from the slot past UMass goalie Matt Murray. Johnson, Brisson and Beniers are the team’s three leading scorers with 26, 25 and 24 points, respectively.

A four-game win streak has propelled Michigan’s hockey team back into the No. 1 on Monday in the U.S. College Hockey Online and USA Hockey polls after sweeping No. Michigan, the only college team ever with seven NHL first-round picks on its roster, last held the No. 1 spot on Oct. 18 after starting 4-0 but dropped the following week after a split against Western Michigan. The team has outscored opponents 21-7 during its four-game win streak, including 5-1 and 6-2 wins on the road against the Nittany Lions.

Forwards Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson and defenseman Owen Power and Luke Hughes – all top-five picks in the 2021 NHL draft – each recorded at least three points Friday in a 6-2 win over Penn State in State College. 1 overall, is now fifth with 18 points after he had a goal and two assists Friday. Hughes, drafted fifth by the New Jersey Devils, scored two goals Friday, with his first giving Michigan a 2-1 lead at the 2:44 mark of the second period. He also assisted on Thomas Bordeleau’s goal late in the second period that extended the lead to 4-1. The Wolverines, who lead the nation in scoring, have won six of their past seven and have a three-point cushion in the Big Ten.

19 Penn State 5-2 on Thursday in State College to improve 9-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, moving ahead of Minnesota for first place. 2 overall pick in July by the Seattle Kraken, remains red-hot, scoring twice on the power play. He has six goals on his past three games and now leads the team with eight this season. Michigan, the only college team ever with seven first-round picks on its roster, leads the nation with 46 goals this season. The two teams conclude the two-game series at 7 p.m. Friday in State College.

Michigan’s hockey team made history in July with four players drafted in the first five picks of the NHL draft. All four showed why they were high draft picks Friday, combining for 10 points in a 7-2 win over Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena. Hughes also had an assist, while sophomore defenseman Owen Power, the top pick by the Buffalo Sabres added two assists. Then just over seven minutes later, Johnson set Beniers up with a one-timer for a five-on-three power-play goal. Sophomore Brendan Brisson, a 2020 first-round pick of the Golden Knights, and Hughes scored less than two minutes apart to give Michigan a 4-1 lead heading into the third.

Michigan’s hockey team opened Big Ten play with a 3-0 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday at Yost Ice Arena. Johnson, the fifth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in July, also set up defenseman Nick Blankenburg in front for Michigan’s second goal late in the second period. 1 overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres, added some insurance with his second goal of the season 3:26 into the third period. “Every point is huge in the Big Ten,” head coach Mel Pearson said. Good way to start the Big Ten season off.”The Wolverines, who were predicted to finish second in the Big Ten this season by conference coaches, host the Badgers (2-5) again at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Michigan hockey team’s 4-0 start is drawing national attention. 1 in Monday’s U.S. College Hockey Online poll. Michigan, the only college team ever with seven first-round picks on its roster, is living up to the preseason hype so far. Michigan ranks second nationally averaging 5.3 goals per game, while goalie Erik Portillo has only allowed eight goals on 113 shots this season. The Wolverines return to the ice Friday at home against Western Michigan.

Just an all-around good player that we really think is going to continue to get better and better. 1 pick in Michigan hockey history, kicked off an unprecedented first round of draft for the Wolverines’ program. Three freshmen from last season – Power, forward Matty Beniers and forward Kent Johnson – went in the first five picks. Adams believes Power could play in the NHL this fall but said the goal is to decide what is best for his long-term development. I just know as a former player, when you’re going every day against the top players in practice, you get better.”

The talented University of Michigan forward was a part of history when the Seattle Kraken selected him second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. Michigan forward Kent Johnson was taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. With Johnson off the board, Michigan became the first program with three current players taken in the first round of a single draft. To have so many first-round draft picks on one team, I mean I don’t even know if there would be something comparable in junior hockey. However, Power said they didn’t discuss the draft much amongst each other until Friday morning when they talked over FaceTime.

The Wolverines are the first NCAA program to have five players/recruits selected in the first round of one draft as the Florida Panthers picked incoming freshman forward Mackie Samoskevich at No. Michigan also became the first college team to produce the first two picks of the draft as defenseman Owen Power went No. 1 to the Buffalo Sabres and forward Matty Beniers was taken by the Seattle Kraken with the second pick. Samoskevich will join a loaded Michigan team this fall that could feature seven first-round picks on the roster. We feel he has a very bright future with the ability to be an elite player here at Michigan.”

The Detroit Red Wings have selected defenseman Simon Edvinsson at 6th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday night.

Michigan’s hockey program continues to make waves at the 2021 NHL Draft. With the Columbus Blue Jackets selecting forward Kent Johnson with the No. 5 overall pick on Friday night, the Wolverines become the first NCAA program to have three current players taken in the first round of a single draft. Two more incoming freshmen, forwards Mackie Samoskevich and Dylan Duke, are expected to be early-round picks. If either are selected in the first round, the Wolverines would become the first school with five players/recruits taken in the first round of one draft.

The Buffalo Sabres have selected University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power at 1st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.

University of Michigan dominates start of NHL draft with defenseman Owen Power and forward Matthew Beniers becoming the first teammates selected first and second overall since 1969.

The 6th overall pick may not be the player anyone has high on their draft prospects lists.

The Detroit Red Wings have the No. The Red Wings also need a goaltender with high-end potential, which they lack in their system. This is the third time in four years the Red Wings select sixth and their fifth consecutive year with a top-10 pick. The Red Wings have nine more selections on Saturday, including two each in the second, third, fourth and fifth rounds. Red Wings might be intrigued by Kent Johnson’s skillsTiming could be right for Red Wings to take goalie with top pickDylan Guenther would upgrade skill level in organizationWilliam Eklund would bring speed, energy to Red WingsTwo-way center from Michigan could appeal to Red WingsRed Wings might have shot at latest Hughes brotherWill this big defenseman be available to Red Wings?

The Detroit Red Wings, who pick sixth, might be tempted by Johnson’s scoring ability. “Johnson is that rare breed of natural scorer who you always see on highlight reels,” Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said. “He sees the ice well, really good stick skills, can score goals, make plays, pass the puck. “It was good to see a lot of my offensive instincts and a lot of my plays translating to creating offense in college. “They make really subtle plays, like for Kane he’s really good at delaying when he enters the zone, often kind of pulling D-men to him and finding open guys.

They would become the highest draft picks in Michigan history, moving ahead of defenseman Jack Johnson, who went No. “I think unprecedented is the right word for it,” said Chris Peters, editor of Hockey Sense on Substack and former NHL draft and prospects analyst for ESPN. “Matty Beniers is probably the best all-around center in this draft,” Peters said. To have so many first-round draft picks on one team, I mean I don’t even know if there would be something comparable in junior hockey. Peters said college players should be well-represented in this year’s draft, partly because they played more games than most prospects playing junior hockey.

As NHL draft nears, top prospects ponder turning pro or returning to MichiganOwen Power and Matty Beniers were instrumental in helping Michigan’s hockey team earn a No. The Wolverines should have a strong returning core if Power, Beniers and Johnson all come back. “I saw some of the football players at Michigan kind of jumping into that,” Beniers said. “If I’m ready hockey-wise and if I’m ready mentally as a person -- it’s a big step,” Beniers said of turning pro. I’d love to be in college, kind of have a college life, especially after last year, we didn’t really get the full college experience.

Michigan’s hockey program has had 10 players selected in the topo 10 of the NHL draft in its history. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its final rankings of North American skaters for the 2021 draft, and three Wolverines are in the top six. Defenseman Jack Johnson is currently the highest draft pick in program history, going No. The Detroit Red Wings likely will have a shot at drafting at least one of the Michigan players. The NHL Draft Lottery is Wednesday, and the Wings have a 7.6% chance at landing the No.

Michigan and Ohio State never had a chance to face off in the Big Ten hockey tournament last year as the season was canceled just before their semifinal matchup. His shot deflected off sophomore defenseman Cam York’s skate for a 2-0 lead midway through the second. Cam York on the doorstep to redirect a Luke Morgan drive and Michigan takes a 2-0 lead! Few of the shots he faced came from high-danger areas until mid-way through the third period when Morgan was assessed a five-minute major penalty. Even the third period, we got off to a good start and then just didn’t like the penalty we took.

The Michigan hockey team’s offense entered Thursday’s game against Notre Dame red-hot, scoring 20 goals in its previous four games. The Wolverines’ torrid scoring pace continued against the Irish, scoring the first five goals in a 5-1 victory in South Bend, Indiana. Erik Portillo, a 2019 third-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, made 29 saves for his second win in his second career start. Johnson leads the team with 18 points, followed by Bordeleau with 16 and Beniers with 13. The win also moves the Wolverines into third place in the Big Ten – two points ahead of the Irish (7-7-1, 5-5-1-0-1-1).

Michigan freshmen Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson went a month without any practice time together over winter break. When the Wolverines retuned to the ice Friday against Michigan State, Beniers, Johnson and fellow linemate Jack Becker didn’t miss a beat. RELATED: Refueled Michigan hockey starts 2nd half of season with 9-goal outburstMichigan (6-6, 4-6-0-1 Big Ten) already has eight draft picks on its roster and is expected to have several more selected in 2021. Power, Beniers and Johnson all have played at least 10 games for Michigan this season, but other top prospects in the draft have yet to begin play. “I think he’s just a player that sees the ice really well and has a lot of skill.

The Wolverines returned to the ice Friday and dominated Michigan State from start to finish, skating away with a 9-0 victory at Yost Ice Arena. It was Michigan’s first game since facing Minnesota on Dec. 9, when it suffered its third straight loss heading into winter break. With his two assists, Mann also was one of seven Michigan players to record multiples points. Kent Johnson gets a little love after his goal pic.twitter.com/tTpb21UVEp — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) January 9, 2021The Spartans (4-5-2, 3-5-1-2) returned from winter break last weekend against Penn State and were coming off a 5-1 victory. With both teams coming into Friday with eight points in the Big Ten, Michigan, which has won five straight against MSU dating back to last season, moves into fourth place.

But the Wolverines’ offensive production has waned since its 4-0 start, especially in this week’s two-game series against first-place Minnesota. 5 Michigan (5-5, 3-5-0-1 Big Ten) was without four of its top five scorers Tuesday and Wednesday as it lost 3-1 and 4-0, respectively. That kinda night pic.twitter.com/km31trpV2T — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) December 10, 2020“You got to get traffic and you got to bear down on the net,” Pearson said of the team’s scoring struggles. “My teams have always been second-half teams,” Pearson said. “We’re looking forward to the second half.”

Michigan head hockey coach Mel Pearson made no excuses after the team’s 3-1 loss to No. “You can’t beat a good team like Minnesota, especially when you’re missing five of your best players. There’s no moral victories or token victories just because we’re missing five real good hockey players. 4 Minnesota with the Gophers taking a 3-1 win in Game 1#GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/NbhvKoNp76 — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) December 9, 2020The Wolverines took five penalties Tuesday, including two for too many men on the ice. I’m not happy with the game, not happy with our penalties, our discipline.

Michigan’s hockey team is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Wolverines’ freshman class continues to lead the way offensively, combining for six points in a 5-2 win at Wisconsin on Thursday. Freshman forward Brendan Brisson, a first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, buried a cross-ice feed from freshman forward Thomas Bordeleau, a second-round pick of the San Jose Sharks, to give Michigan a 2-1 lead late in the second. Take a look at Brisson's first career goal - Bordeleau and York with the apples pic.twitter.com/EiDHrxToHa — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 20, 2020Sophomore forward Eric Ciccolini added a goal with four seconds remaining in the period as No. Brisson and Bordeleau each had two points Thursday, while Beniers had an assist.

The 2019-20 Big Ten Goalie of the Year is off to a strong start this season. Michigan junior Strauss Mann was named the conference’s first Star of the Week after stopping 32 of 33 shots in two victories over Arizona State last weekend. 6 in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll Monday, had another player earn recognition as well. 🎥CLIP: Johnson with the rebound for his career first 🔥👊#GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/E528V4ZqY3 — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 16, 2020“Kent’s a hockey player,” Michigan head coach Mel Pearson said after Sunday’s game. Fun player, fun to watch.

Freshmen shine in Michigan hockey’s season-opening 8-1 win vs. Arizona StateIt didn’t take long for Michigan’s freshman class to get acclimated to the collegiate level. The Wolverines' rookies combined for 11 points in the team’s 8-1 season-opening win over No. Forward Matty Beniers opened the scoring midway through the first and later extended the lead to 7-0 at the 6:59 mark of the third. Sophomore forward Johnny Beecher and sophomore Cam York – both 2019 first-round picks – each scored, while junior defenseman Nick Blakenburg had a goal and an assist. York makes it 5-0 with an assist from Power #GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/vqTHzcNEMg — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 14, 2020Junior Strauss Mann, last year’s Big Ten Goalie of the Year, was 2 minutes, 26 seconds away from recording his seventh career shutout.

Michigan’s hockey program has signed highly touted recruiting classes in the past, but few have generated as much buzz as this year’s group. “Every freshman has proved to our staff they should play,” fourth-year head coach Pearson said Monday in a video call with media. They’ve looked real good as a group.”RELATED: Three University of Michigan players selected in 2020 NHL DraftThat talented group joins a Michigan team that is No. 12 in the U.S. College Hockey Online preseason poll and was predicted to finish second in the Big Ten by the conference’s coaches. The Wolverines began practicing in early September and will get their first chance to validate the preseason hype when they open the season Saturday against No.

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