The duo took different paths to Michigan, but both are expected to hit the ground running and contribute right away. In this year’s NHL Entry Draft, York was drafted No. 14 overall by the Philadelphia Flyers and Beecher went No. 30 overall to the Boston Bruins.
Pearson isn’t normally one to voice his frustrations with rules or officiating, but at a meeting of the Big Ten hockey coaches on Wednesday, Pearson hopes they’ll get the ball rolling on a conversation about potential changes. It’s clear there are a few hot-button issues Pearson feels strongly about, including being allowed to add a third full-time assistant coach.
The decision didn’t come easy; it never seems to. But with Lockwood especially, a lot of things came into play. The Wolverines had come into last season with high expectations, coming off a Frozen Four run, and looked to continue that success. However, a 13-16-7 record brought them back to reality and a loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament ended any hope of extending the season.
When Josh Norris decided to leave for the NHL, Michigan coach Mel Pearson knew he was facing an uphill battle to find a replacement.
But as practice began this week, and even before that, a different colored helmet could be spotted — a player donning a white helmet in a white jersey — shooting pucks hours after practice had concluded and all the players trickled off ice to the locker room. It was Kyle Connor.
“Goaltending, save percentage 59th out of 60 teams in the country. That’s not gonna cut it. Penalty killing. We have to get better,” Pearson said. “So we've added Kris Mayotte from Providence who’s brought in some new ideas and given us a different perspective.”
A year after coming within six seconds of playing for a national title, the Wolverines were going home prematurely. Six months to the day later, Michigan coach Mel Pearson strode into the media room at Yost Ice Arena on Monday, fresh from the team’s first practice and ready to get going on a new season.
Josh Norris last played an organized hockey game in Canada more than five months ago. The next time the sophomore forward picks up a stick, it’ll also be up north — Norris signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators, according to the team’s official website.
Michigan’s leading goal scorer from the 2018-19 season will return for his senior year, a team spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday morning.
Senior defenseman Joseph Cecconi has signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s Dallas Stars, as announced by the team on Tuesday.