'We're not just happy to be there' ... Michigan hockey in it to win it at the Frozen Four

Michigan hockey played its ‘C’ game against Denver last year after making the Frozen Four, losing 3-2 in overtime. This year’s Wolverines — the youngest team in the country — are intent on avoiding the repeat, newly anointed permanent head coach Brandon Naurato said before his team left for Tampa.

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They’re also focused on winning it all for the first time since 1998. Michigan hasn’t gotten the bounces or the luck since — it usually takes both to win when you get to this point where the teams are so evenly matched — and it seems overdue.

“We’re not happy just to be there,” Naurato said. “We want to win it. Even the group last year — because of COVID and then the year before COVID — they didn’t have the opportunity to get those experiences, so it was all new.

“We have 12 freshmen, but I think a lot of those guys are saying the right things. It’s not some event or some party. It’s the same thing we’ve been doing all year — just focus on the game and what we can control.  I keep saying this. It sounds so cliché, but you have to.”

And … perhaps they don’t know any better. Few gave them a chance to win at Minnesota for the Big Ten Tournament title, for example, but they withstood an early barrage and responded with a flurry, taking over the game for a 4-3 win. That was in front of an extremely hostile crowd.

The Wolverines will likely have their share of fans in Tampa, a Michigan-friendly state. That could help them in their quest for a record 10th NCAA title. They’re currently tied with Denver at 9 after the Denver won it all last year.

“I felt like we were a little bit nervous for whatever reason — even with all those big names — last year in the first period against Denver,” Naurato said. “We kind of got away from what we had talked about.

“I don’t have a super secret answer of how I can get them to play the right way. But I’ll probably just try and have a calmer demeanor so that they can just be themselves and do their thing.”

It could take some patience Thursday night against Quinnipiac. The No. 2 overall seed can score, but the Bobcats are outstanding defensively.

“Probably a mix of Notre Dame and Ohio State,” Naurato said when asked who they reminded him of. “They sit back in the neutral zone in that 1-3-1. There very predictable and structured in their defense but hunt pucks like an Ohio State, and they have guys who can score. They can still put up offense.

“They’re a good team, obviously.”

But — so is Michigan … obviously. Minnesota or Boston U. awaits the Quinnipiac – U-M winner Saturday, and that would be a tough one. The Wolverines only have eyes on the Bobcats.

“Give the captains and the leadership group all the credit for that. We’re going to Tampa … beautiful weather,” Naurato said. “I’m sure there’s a lot to do. They’re looking at it like it’s a business trip and just talking about all the little things like staying away from distractions.

“I’ve got 30 people going; they all want to have a coffee or talk. We’re just trying to stay dialed in on what our job is and take care of business so you can enjoy it forever.”

Naurato thrilled to be Michigan hockey’s permanent leader

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel broke it to the team last week that Naurato was finally named permanent coach after carrying the interim tag all season.

“I knew a few days before. I just had a meeting with Warde, and he gave me the good news,” Naurato said. “Obviously, I was super excited, and it was tough to keep it down for a couple of days before he talked to the guys. But I thought that was an awesome idea by him to share with the players first — it was great.”

They reacted enthusiastically, as you’d expect. It’s clear they have great admiration and respect for their coach.

Naurato had already been recruiting well. Now, though, he can take it to another level with kids knowing he’s going to be there.

“It’s kind of a weight off your shoulders — not that it was some big load, because we’ve had a lot of things to think about the last month,” he said. “It’s just good to know that there will be no distractions when we get there, more for the players — they don’t need to be talking about that stuff. They just need to focus on the game.

“I’ve been lucky to walk into a school, a team like Michigan and what guys like Red Berenson have built here. I’m trying to put my stamp on it and leave it better than when I found it. I think we’ve done a lot of great things this year. We’ve really just focused on the players and the people, and sometimes you have to pinch yourself that we’re at this time of year.

“Do I have butterflies thinking about it all day every day and can’t sleep in a good way? Yeah, absolutely. But we’re just trying to go about our business and enjoy the ride.”