It wasn’t the way Jack Campbell wanted to make his Yost Ice Arena debut.

Thirteen seconds into Saturday’s game, the highly touted goaltending recruit watched the Michigan hockey team's first shot, a wrister from sophomore defenseman Brandon Burlon, go past him and into the back of the net.

The Michigan commit and starting goalie for the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team was let his nerves and the crowd get the best of him.

“My nerves never usually negatively affect me,” Campbell said. “But I got a little nervous. I really wanted to show everyone what they’re getting next year.”

Despite Campbell’s rough start to the game, NTDP coach Kurt Kleinendorst said his young netminder did exactly that.

“Michigan fans are in for a treat, because they’re getting an awful good goaltender,” Kleinendorst said. “Jack is going to come in here for four years, and at some point he’s going to fit in, no matter what.”

Campbell may have allowed four goals in the NTDP’s 4-2 loss to the Wolverines, but his presence in the net was definitely felt, grabbing 35 saves in the losing effort.

And instead of providing the normal treatment for an opposing goalie, the Michigan student section was well aware that the 17-year-old goaltender will soon be donning the maize and blue.

Midway through the third period of Saturday’s game as Campbell took his mask off, the student section cheered “handsome goalie," which they usually shout at the Michigan goaltender.

Then, as Campbell made his way to the opposing bench, the students behind him turned their attention again to the Port Huron native.

This time, they cheered, “stay in school," a plea to Campbell in hopes that he will forgo the NHL until he spends a full four years at Michigan. In recent years, highly ranked recruits like Aaron Palushaj, Max Pacioretty and Jack Johnson left with two or more seasons of remaining eligibility.

For Campbell, the attention from the student section only solidified his plans to become a Wolverine next season.

“I was honored,” Campbell said. “They want me here and I want to be here, so it should be a great fit. But they haven’t seen the best of me yet, and hopefully I’ll be able to show them that soon.”

Aside from Campbell, the Wolverines got their first look at three other commitments from the highly anticipated class of 2010.

After Michigan coach Red Berenson said last week that he wanted to give his defensemen more opportunities on offense, defensive recruit Jon Merrill showed off his skills with the puck, scoring one of the NTDP’s two goals on the night. He has two goals in four games for the NTDP.

Just like Campbell, Merrill grew up watching Michigan hockey, hoping that one day he could play at Yost Ice Arena. But even Merrill acknowledges how deep the Michigan defense is this year and presumably will be next year.

“There’s a lot of big players out there,” Merrill said. “Wherever they need me next year, whatever I can do to win games, I’ll do.”

Merrill and Campbell were the two highest-rated Michigan commitments to visit Yost Ice Arena, but Berenson and the Wolverines also got a look at forward Luke Moffatt and defenseman Kevin Clare, who combined for three shots on the night.

Michigan’s coaches and players couldn't comment on the play of Michigan’s recruits since Campbell, Merrill, Clare and Moffatt have yet to sign with the Wolverines. But Michigan fans got their first look at what is slated to be one of the best recruiting classes in recent history.