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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.”

