will add much-needed team leadership during his final crusade. Senior Dexter Dancs and junior Brendan Warren also figure to be offensive catalysts after disappointing drop offs last season compared to previous years. The answer to more shots on goal is likely tied to a group of highly ranked first- year players. Five of the six are forwards, and the most anticipated arrival is freshman Josh Norris. Selected by the San Jose Sharks as the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he played the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program and collected a team-high 51 points in 52 games last year. Freshmen Jack Becker, Michael Pastujov — brother of sophomore forward Nick Pastujov — and Dakota Raabe, and graduate transfer Alex Roos — who spent the last four seasons at Colorado College — round out the new crop of forwards. Pearson expects Norris, along with the other newcomers, to spark the previously underwhelming offense. Defensemen Though Michigan lost captain and defensive mainstay Nolan De Jong, who now plays for the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles, the Wolverines boast eight veterans controlling the blue line. Seniors Cutler Martin and Sam Piazza lead the defensemen. After a junior season at forward, Martin returns to his comfort zone. As a freshman, his only full year as a defenseman, he recorded 15 points and a plus-12 rating, best among Michigan blueliners and second among all defensemen in the Big Ten. Conversely, Piazza is coming off a career year with 14 points — six goals and eight assists — in 32 games and a Big Ten Honorable Mention distinction. Freshman Quinn Hughes is the lone defensive recruit, but the learning curve shouldn’t be too difficult for the likely 2018 first-round NHL Entry Draft pick. The Orlando native played two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program — alongside Norris — and notched 47 points, including 38 assists, in 56 games. Hughes has already shown his presence on the ice, scoring his first collegiate goal in his first collegiate game against St. Lawrence. Junior Joseph Cecconi has also looked strong coming out of the gates, tallying three assists in the exhibition game and one against St. Lawrence. Sophomores Griffin Luce, Christian Meike and Luke Martin, and junior Nicholas Boka complete the rest of the defense. With Martin’s confidence in returning to his true position, Piazza’s evolution last year and Hughes’ track record, the back line seems destined to offset the hole left by De Jong and stay strong against Big Ten offensive juggernauts. Outlook With a strong freshman class and experienced veterans, it’s just a matter of time the two groups mesh within Pearson’s new schemes. This weekend’s series against Vermont is the last opportunity to sync before Big Ten play commences at Penn State. If the players catch their strides at the right time and execute in the big spots, especially early in the season, lofty expectations will be met, something last year’s team didn’t accomplish. Friday, October 20, 2017 // FACEOFF 2017 7B Big Ten Breakdown: Notre Dame shakes up conference landscape Michigan opens up Big Ten play in State College against Penn State next weekend, while other teams have already had their conference debuts. The Big Ten is rife with storylines this season, as the Wolverines will look to redeem themselves after last season’s loss to the Nittany Lions in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Despite Penn State’s upset over No. 8 Minnesota in the 2017 Big Ten Tournament semifinals last season, the Golden Gophers are looking keen to avenge that upset this year as coach Don Lucia boasts an eclectic mix of talented young phenoms and seasoned veterans. Most notably for the Big Ten, Notre Dame joins conference play as the seventh affiliate. The Fighting Irish were a part of the WCHA and CCHA from 1971-1981 and 1992-2012, respectively, two conferences in which a collection of Big Ten programs also competed in. The Daily breaks down the 2017 rendition of the Big Ten conference. No. 6 Wisconsin The Badgers (1-1 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) are coming off a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship game last season. However, Wisconsin clearly is not dwelling in the past, as its versatile offense is putting on a clinic, scoring first in all five of its games this year. Having their best start since 2004, the Badgers are challenging the preseason notion that Minnesota will be the dominant force in the conference. Forward Seamus Malone notched his first two goals of the season this past weekend, but of the nine goals Wisconsin tallied in total, eight Badgers were responsible. Defender Wyatt Kalynuk also represents the shut-down defense as the best shot-blocker in the nation with 14 blocked shots. No. 8 Minnesota The touted frontrunners of the conference, the Golden Gophers (1-1, 2-2) already had a chance to seek revenge on Penn State this past weekend. But they split the contests, falling 3-1 on Friday, and narrowly escaping the formidable Nittany Lion attack Saturday, 6-3. Forward Brannon McManus stepped into the spotlight in Minnesota’s win Saturday with three goals in the third period, almost single-handedly saving the Golden Gophers from early humiliation. At the onset of the season, Minnesota was ranked third in the nation according to USCHO RYAN MCLOUGHLIN/Daily The Michigan hockey team is set for its home opener Saturday night, hoping to defy the odds of winning a talented Big Ten. See BIG TEN, Page 8B BY THE NUMBERS Michigan’s 2016 season 15 Goals scored by forward Tony Calderone — good for a team high. 21 Points recorded by forward Jake Slaker — good for a team high. 2.92 Goals allowed per game for goaltender Hayden Lavigne. .203 Percentage of power plays converted. The Wolverines are undoubtedly underdogs, as they find themselves surrounded by four teams in the Top 20 ROBERT HEFTER Daily Sports Writer