chase pletzke

As the college hockey season comes to an end, we bid adieu to a number of key players on the Michigan team. Some players are moving on to occupations that they got a degree in college for, while many others will be giving professional hockey a shot. Some of these are players exhausting eligibility and were forgone conclusions to depart, including goaltender Jacob Barczewski, defenseman Marshall Warren, forward Chase Pletzke, and practice goalie Andrew Albano, all of whom completed their 5th year of eligibility. 

But there's also the bucket of star players who are signing prematurely with the NHL teams who hold their draft rights. Michigan is no stranger to these sorts of losses and this year we've got three of them to cover. Like Alex did in past years, lumping them together in one combined the post is the best way to break it down and that's what we will be doing today. Three impact forwards recently signed NHL Entry level contracts and have moved on to the organizations who drafted them, with a rundown of each below: 

Exit: Frank Nazar III

Sophomore Frank Nazar III was a 1st round draft pick (13th overall) in 2022 by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Mount Clemens native came to the Wolverines via the US NTDP Program in Plymouth as part of the 2022 recruiting class. Nazar's profile was built around the promise of his speed, skill, and offensive aptitude, but it took a while for us to see it unleashed due to injury. His freshman season last year was hampered by offseason surgery, as Nazar was unable to play his first game of the season until February 10th. He finished that season with only 13 games played and didn't feel like we ever got a true glimpse of what Nazar could be. 

This season, as a sophomore, Nazar was finally healthy and able to play in all 41 games for the Wolverines. He centered the 2nd line, where it was not uncommon for him to be lined up against the opposition’s top line on a nightly basis. Nazar was one of the best in the nation in the faceoff circle, winning 54.7% of faceoffs he took, leading to heavy deployment. Night in and night out he was the most consistent 200 foot forward for Michigan as he notched 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 41 games. Of those 41 points, one towered above the rest, his sensational between-the-legs pass to Gavin Brindley for his goal 12 seconds after the Wolverines took the lead in the Regional Final against MSU: 

His Pro Hockey Potential: Frank Nazar III has already begun his NHL career, signing with the Blackhawks on April 14th and scoring his first NHL goal 10:05 into the first period on a breakaway. As sensational as this was for him, don’t expect him to start putting up superstar offensive numbers. What the Blackhawks are getting more of a two-way player than an offensive dynamo, one who has a high hockey IQ, quick feet, and a strong stick which will allow him to be in good defensive position and the ability to use those assets to transition the puck up ice into scoring opportunities. As he develops, look for Nazar III to be the Blackhawks shutdown center who will face the opposition’s top line every night, a contrast to Connor Bedard's offensive prowess. He should also be slotted on the top PK unit and also get time on the 2nd PP unit.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Brindley, Duke, and bigger picture thoughts]

CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and other pertinent information and HERE for current Pairwise Rankings.

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan Hockey rocked the Stonehill Stones. They scored early and often and gave up plural power play goals. Not the best third period, but the first two were pretty good. In other words, it went just as expected.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-The most important note of the evening is that Rutger McGroarty and Mark Estapa dressed and did not appear to get hurt on Friday. That is the biggest news of the night for Michigan.

-Tanner Rowe scores his first collegiate goal for Michigan on a nice play off of a faceoff win by Kienan Draper. These games can be big for the Bottom Six to get organized and get confident. Chase Pletzke also scored for break his long goal-less streak. So did Kienan Draper. Unfortunately, the Assist Watch for Pletzke is still going.

-Gavin Brindley scored four goals. LOL.

-These games are tough for everyone. It’s hard to stay up and in a game when it’s 10-1 after the second period. However, learning how to do that might be the difference in bigger games down the stretch. They should have another chance tomorrow night.

Defense Notes.

-Ethan Edwards dressed for Michigan for the first time in a non-exhibition game this season. It was rumored to happening, but it was nice to see him back and on the ice.

-After a strong couple periods to start, the third period got a bit shaky…especially for a team that has had it’s issues in the third period closing games out. They allowed eleven shots, four from the House, in the first two periods. In the third: eight shots, seven from the slot. The game was completely out of hand and not in doubt, but at some point, this Finishing Games thing has got to be addressed.

CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and other pertinent information and HERE for current Pairwise Rankings.

What just happened (TL;DR): The Wolverines hold three separate one goal leads, relinquishing them all…before the third period. Aiden Fink fills a hat trick for Penn State, including an empty netter at the end to seal the game against the under-manned Wolverines.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Despite the numbers evening out across the board, it always felt like Michigan was just hanging on in this one. They converted chances at even strength (!) but just could not get over the top. Penn State mostly lead in shots and House shots all evening. It never felt like this game was going to be about even strength goals for Michigan…despite them getting three. That seems like it should have been enough…if they could do damage on the power play or in transition (which, I guess they did). In the end, it wasn’t enough.

-Garrett Schifsky scored his seventh goal of the year, thanks to the boards and a kick-in by Lion goalie Liam Souliere. Nick Moldenhauer tipped in Seamus Casey’s shot from the point. TJ Hughes also buried his 3v2 chance from the House.

-Chase Pletzke maybe had his best game as a Wolverine. He rang the iron in transition and got into dangerous positions a few times with the puck. It’s a bummer his shot bounced out. It would have been a great time for his first point at Yost.

-They seemed to skate three lines: Dylan/Brindley/TJ Hughes; Nazar/Schifsky/Eernisse; Draper/Lapointe/Pletzke. Then they sprinkled in Moldenhauer and Rowe. By the third period, they seemed to tire and just not have the jump they had especially during the early second period. They jumbling of lines also seemed to get guys out of place at times…but they’re just limited with options right now. Josh Orrico and Brendan Miles both dressed and were listed as forwards, but I did not see either on the ice.

Defense Notes.

-Overall, the defense seemed to start strong…and then fade as the game continued. The second period was the crescendo, as Penn State started piling chances in the Wolverine zone. It leveled in the third as Penn State did not need another goal, but as the healthiest unit on the team…it just needed to be better on Saturday night as a whole.

-While he’s had better nights in Maize and Blue, this was not the best I’ve seen Jacob Truscott play. He fell asleep letting Aiden Fink get behind him for a walk-in chance to tie the game at two. He also had several giveaways in his own zone. There will be better nights, but tonight was not one of them.

-Seamus Casey again poured in a couple of assists. He has 14 points in 20 games (Lindenwood included).

-With so many forwards out, Michigan needed to win this game 2-1 or 3-2. They had both of those leads, but they could not hold them.