# 2021–22 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season

The 2021–22 Michigan Wolverines men's hockey team was the Wolverines' 100th season of play. They represented the University of Michigan in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. They were coached by Mel Pearson, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines won the 2022 Big Ten men's ice hockey tournament and received an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, where they reached their NCAA record 26th Frozen Four and were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual national champion Denver.

## Previous season

During the 2020–21 season, Michigan went 15–10–1, including 11–9–0 in Big Ten play. They received an at-large bid to the 2021 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, however, they were removed from the tournament due to positive COVID-19 test results within the program.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Jack Becker | Forward | Canada | Graduate transfer to Arizona State |
| Josh Groll | Forward | Canada | Transferred to Minnesota State |
| Strauss Mann | Goaltender | United States | Signed professional contract (Skellefteå AIK) |
| Dakota Raabe | Forward | United States | Graduate transfer to Sacred Heart |
| Cameron York | Defenseman | United States | Signed professional contract (Philadelphia Flyers) |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Dylan Duke | Forward | United States | 18 | Strongsville, OH; selected 126th overall in 2021 |
| Ethan Edwards | Forward | Canada | 19 | Grande Prairie, AB; selected 120th overall in 2020 |
| Mark Estapa | Forward | United States | 19 | St. Clair, MI |
| Luke Hughes | Defenseman | United States | 18 | Manchester, NH; selected 4th overall in 2021 |
| Mackie Samoskevich | Forward | United States | 18 | Newtown, CT; selected 24th overall in 2021 |
| Noah West | Goaltender | United States | 20 | Pittsboro, IN; transfer from Robert Morris |

## Roster

As of August 30, 2021.

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position coached | Seasons at Michigan |
| Mel Pearson | Head Coach | 5th |
| Bill Muckalt | Associate Head Coach | 5th |
| Brandon Naurato | Assistant Coach | 1st |
| Bryan Hogan | Volunteer Assistant Coach | 1st |
| Rick Bancroft | Director of Hockey Operations | 4th |
| Joe Maher | Head Strength and Conditioning Coach | 9th |
| Reference: ||||

## Standings

2021–22 Big Ten ice hockey Standingsvte :
| | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | 3/SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #5 Minnesota † | 24 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 90 | 50 | 39 | 26 | 13 | 0 | 138 | 91 |
| #2 Michigan * | 24 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 91 | 59 | 42 | 31 | 10 | 1 | 167 | 94 |
| #9 Notre Dame | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 74 | 55 | 40 | 28 | 12 | 0 | 122 | 75 |
| #16 Ohio State | 24 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 76 | 59 | 37 | 22 | 13 | 2 | 125 | 87 |
| Penn State | 24 | 6 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 63 | 92 | 38 | 17 | 20 | 1 | 117 | 122 |
| Wisconsin | 24 | 6 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 53 | 96 | 37 | 10 | 24 | 3 | 76 | 132 |
| Michigan State | 24 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 51 | 87 | 36 | 12 | 23 | 1 | 76 | 119 |
| Championship: March 19, 2022 † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 7, 2022 |||||||||||||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Rank$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Exhibition ||||||||||
| October 2 | 7:00 PM | Bowling Green* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Exhibition) | BTN+ | Portillo | W 7–1 | 5,407 | — |
| Regular season ||||||||||
| October 8 | 7:30 PM | Lake Superior State* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 6–1 | 5,246 | 1–0 |
| October 9 | 7:00 PM | Lake Superior State* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 7–4 | 5,141 | 2–0 |
| Ice Breaker Tournament ||||||||||
| October 15 | 8:35 PM | at #5 Minnesota Duluth* | #3 | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, MN (Ice Breaker Semifinal) | NCHC.tv | Portillo | W 5–1 | 5,940 | 3–0 |
| October 16 | 4:07 PM | vs. #1 Minnesota State* | #3 | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, MN (Ice Breaker Championship) | NCHC.tv | Portillo | W 3–2 | — | 4–0 |
| Regular season ||||||||||
| October 22 | 7:30 PM | #17 Western Michigan* | #1 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | L 2–5 | 5,800 | 4–1 |
| October 23 | 7:05 PM | at #17 Western Michigan* | #1 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, MI | NCHC.tv | Portillo | W 3–2 $^{OT}$ | 3,369 | 5–1 |
| October 28 | 7:00 PM | Wisconsin | #2 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN | Portillo | W 3–0 | 5,338 | 6–1 (1–0) |
| October 29 | 7:30 PM | Wisconsin | #2 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | L 2–4 | 5,598 | 6–2 (1–1) |
| November 5 | 7:30 PM | Michigan State | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN | Portillo | W 7–2 | 5,800 | 7–2 (2–1) |
| November 6 | 7:30 PM | at Michigan State | #3 | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, MI (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Portillo | W 3–2 | 6,705 | 8–2 (3–1) |
| November 11 | 8:30 PM | at #19 Penn State | #2 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, PA | BTN | Portillo | W 5–1 | 6,128 | 9–2 (4–1) |
| November 12 | 7:00 PM | at #19 Penn State | #2 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, PA | BTN+ | Portillo | W 6–2 | 6,437 | 10–2 (5–1) |
| November 19 | 7:30 PM | #14 Notre Dame | #1 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Portillo | L 2–3 $^{OT}$ | 5,800 | 10–3 (5–2) |
| November 20 | 8:00 PM | #14 Notre Dame | #1 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Portillo | L 4–5 $^{OT}$ | 5,800 | 10–4 (5–3) |
| November 26 | 7:30 PM | Niagara* | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 6–1 | 5,800 | 11–4 |
| November 27 | 7:00 PM | Niagara* | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 4–1 | 5,800 | 12–4 |
| December 3 | 6:30 PM | #11 Minnesota | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN | Portillo | L 1–5 | 5,800 | 12–5 (5–4) |
| December 4 | 7:00 PM | #11 Minnesota | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN | Portillo | W 6–2 | 5,613 | 13–5 (6–4) |
| December 10 | 7:00 PM | at #17 Ohio State | #3 | Value City Arena • Columbus, OH | BTN | Portillo | W 5–2 | 7,324 | 14–5 (7–4) |
| December 11 | 8:00 PM | at #17 Ohio State | #3 | Value City Arena • Columbus, OH | BTN | Portillo | L 1–6 | 6,928 | 14–6 (7–5) |
| Great Lakes Invitational ||||||||||
| December 29 | 7:00 PM | #18 Michigan Tech* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Great Lakes Invitational) | BTN+ | Portillo | T 0–0 $^{OT}$ | 5,800 | 14–6–1 |
| December 30 | 7:00 PM | #4 Western Michigan* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Great Lakes Invitational) | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Regular season ||||||||||
| January 8 | 5:00 PM | #10 Massachusetts* | #6 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN | Portillo | W 4–1 | 5,800 | 15–6–1 |
| January 9 | 4:00 PM | #10 Massachusetts* | #6 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | ESPNU | Portillo | W 4–2 | 5,800 | 16–6–1 |
| January 14 | 7:30 PM | Penn State | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 3–2 | 5,800 | 17–6–1 (8–5) |
| January 15 | 7:00 PM | Penn State | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 4–3 | 5,800 | 18–6–1 (9–5) |
| January 21 | 9:00 PM | at #11 Minnesota | #3 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, MN, (Rivalry) | ESPNU | Portillo | L 1–2 $^{OT}$ | 8,204 | 18–7–1 (9–6) |
| January 22 | 7:30 PM | at #11 Minnesota | #3 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, MN (Rivalry) | BTN | Portillo | W 4–1 | 8,046 | 19–7–1 (10–6) |
| January 28 | 7:00 PM | at Wisconsin | #4 | Kohl Center • Madison, WI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 5–1 | 9,994 | 20–7–1 (11–6) |
| January 29 | 9:00 PM | at Wisconsin | #4 | Kohl Center • Madison, WI | BTN | Portillo | W 6–2 | 12,231 | 21–7–1 (12–6) |
| February 2 | 7:00 PM | USNTDP* | #3 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Exhibition) | BTN+ | Portillo | W 4–3 $^{OT}$ | 5,176 | — |
| February 11 | 7:30 PM | Michigan State | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Portillo | W 6–2 | 5,800 | 22–7–1 (13–6) |
| February 12 | 7:00 PM | Michigan State | #4 | Little Caesars Arena • Detroit, MI (Duel in the D) | BSD | Portillo | W 7–3 | 16,289 | 23–7–1 (14–6) |
| February 18 | 7:30 PM | #11 Ohio State | #2 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN+ | Portillo | W 5–3 | 5,800 | 24–7–1 (15–6) |
| February 19 | 8:30 PM | #11 Ohio State | #2 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI | BTN | Portillo | W 3–0 | 5,800 | 25–7–1 (16–6) |
| February 25 | 7:30 PM | at #9 Notre Dame | #2 | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, IN (Rivalry) | Peacock | Portillo | L 1–4 | 5,633 | 25–8–1 (16–7) |
| February 26 | 6:00 PM | at #9 Notre Dame | #2 | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, IN (Rivalry) | Peacock | Portillo | L 1–2 | 4,903 | 25–9–1 (16–8) |
| Big Ten Tournament ||||||||||
| March 4 | 7:00 PM | Michigan State | #5 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Quarterfinals) | FS2 | Portillo | W 4–1 | 3,741 | 26–9–1 |
| March 5 | 7:00 PM | Michigan State | #5 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Quarterfinals) | BSD | Portillo | W 8–0 | 5,429 | 27–9–1 |
| March 12 | 6:30 PM | #8 Notre Dame | #4 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, MI (Semifinals) | BTN | Portillo | W 2–1 | 5,800 | 28–9–1 |
| March 19 | 8:00 PM | at #2 Minnesota | #4 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, MN (Championship) | BTN | Portillo | W 4–3 | 10,774 | 29–9–1 |
| NCAA Tournament ||||||||||
| March 25 | 3:00 PM | vs. #18 American International | #2 | PPL Center • Allentown, PA (Regional semifinals) | ESPNU | Portillo | W 5–3 | 2,155 | 30–9–1 |
| March 27 | 6:30 PM | vs. #8 Quinnipiac | #2 | PPL Center • Allentown, PA (Regional final) | ESPN2 | Portillo | W 7–4 | 3,256 | 31–9–1 |
| April 7 | 5:00 PM | vs. #3 Denver | #2 | TD Garden • Boston, MA (National semifinals) | ESPN2 | Portillo | L 2–3 $^{OT}$ | 17,850 | 31–10–1 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 (Final) |
| USCHO.com | 3 (11) | 3 (8) | 3 (16) | 1 (45) | 2 (17) | 3 | 2 (3) | 1 (42) | 4 (1) | 3 (5) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 (3) | 3 (4) | 4 (3) | 3 (6) | 4 (4) | 2 (8) | 2 (10) | 5 | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 2 (14) | 2 (14)^ | 3 |
| USA Today | 2 (4) | 3 (6) | 3 (9) | 1 (34) | 3 (6) | 4 | 2 | 1 (24) | 3 (3) | 2 (3) | 3 (1) | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 (4) | 4 | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 2 (5) | 2 (4) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 (13) | 2 (7) | 3 |
^USCHO.com did not release a Week 24 poll.

## Awards and honors

Weekly Awards :
| Player | Award | Date Awarded |
| Brendan Brisson | Big Ten First Star of the Week | October 12, 2021 |
| Owen Power | Big Ten Second Star of the Week | October 12, 2021 |
| Brendan Brisson | Big Ten First Star of the Week | October 19, 2021 |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten First Star of the Week | November 9, 2021 |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten First Star of the Week | November 16, 2021 |
| Owen Power | Big Ten Second Star of the Week | November 16, 2021 |
| Nick Blankenburg | Big Ten First Star of the Week | December 1, 2021 |
| Michael Pastujov | Big Ten First Star of the Week | December 8, 2021 |
| Nick Blankenburg | Big Ten Third Star of the Week | December 14, 2021 |
| Brendan Brisson | Big Ten Second Star of the Week | January 11, 2022 |
| Erik Portillo | Big Ten Third Star of the Week | January 11, 2022 |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten First Star of the Week | January 18, 2022 |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten Second Star of the Week | February 1, 2022 |
| Luke Hughes | Big Ten First Star of the Week | February 15, 2022 |
| Luke Hughes | Big Ten First Star of the Week | February 22, 2022 |
| Player | Award |
| Matty Beniers | AHCA West First Team All-American |
| Luke Hughes | AHCA West Second Team All-American |
| Owen Power | AHCA West Second Team All-American |
| Luke Hughes | Big Ten Freshman of the Year |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten Scoring Champion |
| Erik Portillo | Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player |
| Owen Power | All-Big Ten First Team |
| Matty Beniers | All-Big Ten First Team |
| Erik Portillo | All-Big Ten Second Team |
| Luke Hughes | All-Big Ten Second Team |
| Brendan Brisson | All-Big Ten Second Team |
| Luke Hughes | All-Big Ten Freshman Team |
| Mackie Samoskevich | All-Big Ten Freshman Team |
| Erik Portillo | Big Ten All-Tournament Team |
| Luke Hughes | Big Ten All-Tournament Team |
| Mackie Samoskevich | Big Ten All-Tournament Team |
| Brendan Brisson | Big Ten All-Tournament Team |
| Matty Beniers | Big Ten All-Tournament Team |

## Players drafted into the NHL

Michigan had four players selected in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Brisson was drafted in the first-round, becoming the 25th first-round NHL Draft selection for Michigan, which leads all NCAA teams. Michigan had five players drafted in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Owen Power became the first Wolverine to be drafted first overall. Michigan's 2021–22 roster had an NCAA record seven first round draft picks.
| Year | Round | Pick | Player | NHL team |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | Owen Power | Buffalo Sabres |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 | Matty Beniers | Seattle Kraken |
| 2021 | 1 | 4 | Luke Hughes | New Jersey Devils |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 | Kent Johnson | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 2021 | 1 | 24 | Mackie Samoskevich | Florida Panthers |
| 2020 | 1 | 29 | Brendan Brisson | Vegas Golden Knights |
| 2020 | 2 | 38 | Thomas Bordeleau | San Jose Sharks |
| 2020 | 4 | 120 | Ethan Edwards | New Jersey Devils |
| 2020 | 5 | 144 | Jacob Truscott | Vancouver Canucks |