Michigan State of Mind

Every summer at the NHL Draft, players are selected from a variety of amateur teams and development leagues located all across the globe. No major program or farthest outpost goes unturned, but this year, scouts found a bounty in Ann Arbor, MI.
The University of Michigan hockey program will feature three players from its roster last season who not only will be picked in the first round but are likely to be among the first 10 selections during the Draft's opening night July 23.

Defenseman Owen Power, center Matthew Beniers and winger Kent Johnson are all ranked high in NHL Central Scouting's draft rankings. They won't wait long to hear their names called.
Adding to the Michigan top-of-first-round influence is defenseman Luke Hughes who is committed to play at Michigan this coming season and also in the mix as a top-five to top-10 selection.
There is potential for Division I Wolverines to snag 40 percent of the draft's first ten picks.
Michigan has long been a college hockey power and has sent several players to the NHL. The school has won a record nine NCAA Championships while appearing in 25 Frozen Fours.
The program enjoyed seeing five players be inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall-Of-Fame, plus two Hobey Baker Awards as NCAA players of the year - Brendan Morrison (1997) and Kevin Porter (2008).
Current NHLers such as Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin are among many Michigan alums still playing in the league.
Former Michigan players can be found in all areas of the NHL, including front offices. Seattle Kraken assistant general manager Jason Botterill played for the Wolverines from 1993 through 1997 and was part of the 1996 National Championship team. Botterill was a first-round NHL draft pick himself - selected by the Dallas Stars 20th overall during the 1994 Draft.
As prolific a hockey factory as Michigan has been, never have three Wolverines been drafted in the top 10 of the same Draft. Next week's draft is expected to make history.

On four occasions, two Michigan players have gone in the first round of the same draft, but not in the top 10 together. If any of the Michigan crew are drafted first overall this year-Power is considered to be most likely by media members- he would make history as the first Michigan player selected at the top of the draft.
Ranked as the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, Power stands six-foot-five and 214 pounds, Power has drawn comparisons to two-time Cup winner Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman and 2020 playoffs MVP based on his size and skill set.
Power's play on the ice has been noticeable. Power was named to the Big Ten All-rookie team last year after he recorded 16 points in 26 games.
"He had a great year at Michigan," says teammate Beniers. "He's such an all-around great player. He's so big, can move his feet and is definitely a No. 1 pick contender. Not sure what's going happen but I hope he goes as high as he can."
Power further solidified himself by playing for Canada at the IIHF World Championships. That gave him a chance to play against older pro players and he performed well, helping Canada win gold.
"The World Championships was good for me to kind of see where I was when playing with and against pros," Power says. "I think it gave me a better idea of how ready I was to play pro hockey."
Beniers is the sixth-ranked North American skater per NHL's Central Scouting. Many draft watchers in the media have indicated the Michigan center will be picked sooner than the sixth slot.
Known as a two-way center who can contribute in all facets of the game, Beniers is an impressive prospect who turned in a freshman year that included 10 goals and 14 points in 24 games. He played for the U.S. in the World Junior Championships in January.
A case could be made he was the top American center at the World Juniors. Like his teammate Power, Beniers played in the World Championships and held his own with NHL-caliber players.
"It's obviously really nice to be able to play with a guy who takes care of the ice 200 feet," Michigan teammate Kent Johnson says about Beniers. "He is obviously buzzing around there the whole game. He's so good at transitioning the puck, getting out of our D-zone and then getting into the O-zone. I was really lucky to get to play [on the same forward line] with him."

With Seattle picking No. 2, there is some media speculation Beniers could hear his name called by Kraken GM Ron Francis on draft day.
"I think it'd be a lot of fun to play for a new organization, a new team," Beniers said during an NHL-sanctioned Zoom call with media. "I think that would be really cool, especially because I'm sure the city is really excited to get a hockey team."
Johnson, ranked as the third best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He is a creative scoring forward and comfortable playing center or wing. Growing up in North Vancouver, Johnson has some Northwest connections as he was drafted in round 10 of the 2017 WHL Draft by the Everett Silvertips.
He chose the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) - where he dominated the 2018-2019 season with 41 goals and 61 assists for 101 points in 52 games -- and then took the NCAA route to Michigan. He has continued to grow his impressive offensive game.
"He's a great person and great player," Beniers says. "Super skill, as I like to say, really good at scoring goals and can make plays. You know you get a lot of offensive skill and just a great linemate and teammate."
Players selected first overall in the draft almost always go straight to the NHL to begin their careers. Power has dropped hints about wishing to return for one more year at Michigan. All three of the Wolverines say a NCAA return is in the cards but ultimately will discuss the matter with the NHL team selecting them.
There is no wrong or right answer about whether an extra year in college is best for a prospect's long-term development. It is something Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol knows a thing or two about.
He worked 11 seasons coaching in college with the University of North Dakota, going to seven Frozen Fours. He had his fair share of drafted players in similar situations.
"It depends on the individual, not just the ability of the player," Hakstol says. "Where is he on his development path? What is his makeup? All of those things. I don't think there's any ideal formula in terms of progression, but the proper progression is really important.
With Ron and the staff and the amateur scouting staff, they're going to know the right pathway for those guys that are picked."
No matter which three NHL teams end up with the Michigan players - plus the incoming freshman Hughes - the Wolverines will come away from July 23's first round with a historic day for its hockey program. Those players may not be in the NHL this fall, but the clock is ticking on their arrival and the wait doesn't look to be long.