The Michigan hockey team may have taken a spear to the heart when its captain, Andrew Copp, decided to forgo his senior season and join the Winnipeg Jets.
But there is a silver lining. Copp’s absence in the lineup will provide opportunities for others to fill his production — he tallied 31 points this past season.
Look no further than blue-chip recruit Kyle Connor. The Shelby Township, Michigan native has torn up the United States Hockey League the past three years — registering 195 points in three seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms — and that has Michigan coach Red Berenson excited.
“Kyle Connor, he’ll be a player to watch,” Berenson said. “Right now, he’ll be the main recruit to watch.”
More notably, Berenson wouldn’t rule out Connor having a similar freshman season to that of Dylan Larkin, who was just named a second-team All American and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He notched 47 points in his sensational freshman campaign.
“Maybe he could,” Berenson said of Connor’s chances of emulating Larkin. “He’s that type of player.”
That could be premature. But if Connor’s USHL stats are any indication, he has the tools to become an impact player for the Wolverines.
Connor just put an exclamation point on his final season with the Phantoms, scoring his 33rd and 34th goals in his final game. His 80 points are already a personal record and lead the USHL this year. More impressively, his 195 points in three seasons are the sixth-most in USHL history, and he still has playoff games to raise his total.
Clearly, the USHL is becoming too easy for Connor and he needs more of a challenge. He’ll be joining a Michigan team that has failed to make the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons after qualifying for the post season 22 straight years before.
But that doesn’t faze Connor.
“I think that is something I’m definitely coming in to do, trying to get them back in the right direction,” Connor said. “I think I can step in right away and go out there and try to compete and help us get back to the tournament.”
Back in November, Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen gushed about his star. He told the Daily that Connor has an “NHL release on his shot,” possesses “an elite skill level” and is a “student of the game.”
Though it’s bittersweet for Noreen to lose Connor, he knows Connor will be in good hands with the legendary Berenson.
And Connor is also excited to play for Berenson, who will be in his 32nd season behind Michigan’s bench when Connor first takes the ice in a winged helmet.
“Red Berenson, his pedigree and resume speaks for itself,” Connor said. “He is such a great guy, and it’s going to be fun playing for him next year. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Connor grew up a Michigan fan, and he has watched Wolverine hockey games for most of his life. And when he joins the squad this fall, he’ll know a face or two.
Connor grew up playing travel hockey for Belle Tire alongside freshman forward Dylan Larkin and freshman defenseman Zach Werenski. The trio won a national championship together, and Connor sees no reason why they can’t do the same thing in Ann Arbor.
Larkin still hasn’t announced his return to the program for next season, as he could potentially leave to join the Detroit Red Wings organization.
“I’m still just trying to figure it out,” Larkin told the Daily on Monday. “It’s straight down the middle. Every day it changes and things come into play. I don’t really know yet.”
Connor and Larkin played on the same line for Belle Tire. The two had success there, and Connor would love to rejoin his old linemate while in a Michigan sweater.
“We clicked right away, and we’ve been good friends,” Connor said. “We played roller hockey way back in the day. It would be pretty fun playing with him.”
Added Larkin: “He’s a dynamic player who finds a way to score at every level he has played at. I’m hoping he can come in and have an impact. Speaking as a freshman, you never want the pressure on you, but I think he will handle that well. He’s a mature kid. We’re excited to have him. I have talked to him a little bit, and it would be fun to play with him.”
Even if Larkin isn’t at Michigan next season, Connor will still be excited to don the block ‘M.’ An expected first-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft, Connor said no NHL team could convince him to join its organization. The same can be said for Saginaw Spirit, who own his Ontario Hockey League rights.
“That’s where I want to play,” Connor said of Michigan. “I want to play at Michigan, and I’ve wanted to play there for a long time.”