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Thursday, July 2, 2015
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com SPORTS
Hyman signs NHL entry deal
with hometown Maple Leafs
Six selected
in 2015
NHL draft
By BRAD WHIPPLE
Daily Sports Writer
After a breakthrough senior season,
former Michigan forward Zach Hyman
is looking to stand out on a stacked ros-
ter once again.
This time, it will be on hockey’s big-
gest stage for his hometown team.
On Saturday, the Toronto Maples
Leafs announced that Hyman would
join the organization as the result of
a trade between the Maples Leafs and
the Florida Panthers, the team that ini-
tially drafted him in 2011. In exchange
for forward Greg McKegg, Toronto
signed Hyman to a two-year entry level
contract and received a conditional
seventh round pick in the 2017 NHL
Draft.
A Toronto native who spent his
childhood watching
Leafs’ games with his
brothers and friends,
Hyman will now get
the chance to repre-
sent his favorite NHL
team.
“I’m really excited
and honored to be
a part of the Maple
Leaf’s organization,”
Hyman said. “I grew
up
idolizing
those
players. It’s pretty incredible and really
humbling to be a part of this organiza-
tion after growing up and watching so
many great players. Now to be a part of
it is pretty amazing and really special.”
Hyman will spend the rest of the
summer prepping for the rookie and
training camps at the end of August
and into the beginning of September,
which will determine if he makes the
team. The Maple Leafs are now under
the leadership of new head coach Mike
Babcock, who will also be making the
transition from Michi-
gan to Ontario with
Hyman after spending
10 seasons as coach of
the Detroit Red Wings.
Given
Babcock’s
close relationship with
Michigan coach Red
Berenson, Hyman may
find some leadership
similarities
between
the two to help ease the transition and
earn a spot on the roster.
“He’s one of the best coaches in the
game, if not the best,” Hyman said. “To
go from Coach Beren-
son to Coach Babcock —
two great coaches — is
special.”
Before
his
senior
year, Hyman wasn’t on
many teams’ radar at
the collegiate or pro-
fessional level, but that
didn’t deter him from
making a lasting impact
during his final sea-
son. The Hobey Baker
Award finalist finished the year with
22 goals, 32 assists and a Big-Ten lead-
ing 54 points — the first Michigan play-
er to reach the 50-point mark in one
season since current New York Ranger
Carl Hagelin in 2010.
“Coach always said seniors have to
step up,” Hyman
said. “You already
have three years
under your belt. …
That’s what hap-
pens when you’re
confident, you’ve
worked hard and
you’ve put in the
work and time.
I was fortunate
enough to have a
really good (first)
weekend,
and
obviously it helps
playing
with
great
linemates
and great team-
mates.”
Hyman
was
also
a
crucial
component
in
the
Wolverines
capturing
their
16th Great Lakes
invitational
Championship in
December, when
Hyman
scored
game-winning
goals in the semi-
finals and final against Michigan Tech
and Michigan State, respectively.
But the efforts of the eventual Big
Ten scoring champion wasn’t enough
to push Michigan past the regular sea-
son and into the NCAA Tournament, as
the Wolverines missed
out on the chance for
the third year in a
row. Still, Hyman sees
great
potential
for
next year’s squad.
“Every year Michi-
gan reloads,” Hyman
said. “We lost a lot of
guys this year … (But)
you got a lot of really
great players coming back and a great
leadership core with (JT Compher),
(Boo Nieves), and (Justin Selman).
Those guys are gonna take the reins,
and I’m sure the team will follow. It’s
gonna be a great year for them.”
Even with the success of his senior
year, though, it’s back to Square one
for the Hyman. Two weeks ago, he was
named an Academic All American. Two
weeks past, he’s a rookie trying to earn
his spot on an professional team.
Given Hyman’s history, however, the
forward may have no trouble exceeding
expectations yet again.
“Nothing is really given, you just
have to go out there and work for it,”
Hyman said. “That’s how it is for any
club and that’s how it is for Michigan.
“Coach Berenson always said ‘Noth-
ing is given to you. You work for what-
ever you get.’ ”
By ZACH SHAW
Summer Managing Sports Editor
Many of his peers graduated from high
school just a few weeks ago, but Zach
Werenski showed he is more than ready for
the road ahead.
After leaving high school a year early and
leading the Michigan hockey team’s defense
in an exceptional freshman season, earning
praise from scouts nationwide, the 17-year
old was taken with the eighth pick of Fri-
day’s 2015 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue
Jackets.
With the selection, Werenski is Michi-
gan’s highest draft selection since Jack
Johnson was taken third overall by the Car-
olina Hurricanes in 2005
“It’s unbelievable,” Werenski said. “I still
can’t believe it happened. I’m very fortunate
for the Columbus Blue Jackets to select me.”
Despite being just the youngest player
in all of college hockey, Werenski showed
why he was one of the world’s top prospects
with Michigan. He led all Big Ten defense-
man with nine goals, and was named to the
All-Big Ten First Team and Rookie Team.
He also led the Wolverines with 59 blocked
shots in 37 games, and showcased speed and
versatility
Shortly
after
Werenski
was
taken
by
Columbus,
Michigan
recruit
and
Youngstown Phantoms forward Kyle Con-
nor was taken by the Winnipeg Jets with
the 17th overall pick. This past season, Con-
nor was named the United States Hockey
League’s Player of the Year after winning
the league’s scoring title with 34 goals and
80 points in 56 games. The 18-year-old Con-
nor has signed his Letter of Intent with
Michigan and is expected to join the Wol-
verines in the fall.
Though Werenski now has the opportu-
nity to join the Blue Jackets if he signs by
July 1, many expect him to remain with the
Wolverines for his sophomore season or join
the OHL’s London Knights.
“I haven’t thought too much about it,”
Werenski said about his options. “I’m just
living in the moment, it’s pretty surreal
right now.”
Over the course of the draft, six current
and future Wolverines are expected to be
selected — tied for third all time.
In addition to Connor and Werenski,
Cooper Marody, Brendan Warren, Joe Cec-
coni, and Nicholas Boka were taken on Day
2 of the draft.
All six Wolverines plan to put their pro-
fessional careers on hold however, to attend
Michigan for at least one season.
JAMES COLLER/Daily
In addition to Hyman, sophomore defenseman Zach Werenski and five Wolverine signees earned professional deals (see right).
“I grew up
idolizing those
players ... It is
pretty amazing.”
“You just have
to go out there
and work for it.”