The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Sports 8 — Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Michigan commits ready to take the NCAA leap PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Though the offseason still trudges through the dog days of summer, multiple Michigan hockey team commits started ramping up for the upcoming season. On Sunday, the Wolverines’ incoming freshman forwards Rutger McGroarty, Frank Nazar III and defenseman Seamus Casey commenced a 10-day United States National Junior Team camp in preparation for the rescheduled 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship taking place this August in Edmonton, Alberta. While the three commits are some of the younger competitors vying for a spot on the team, they remain undaunted in the face of a team with top NHL draft picks. And with many of those draft picks also sharing spots on Michigan’s roster, this isn’t the first time seeing their Michigan teammates. “This spring we were training with Michigan quite a bit,” Casey said. “So I got to meet the whole team.” Casey, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 46 overall pick this month in the 2022 NHL Draft, competed alongside Nazar III and McGroarty on the U.S. National U18 team this season, with their final matchup coming against Sweden on May 1. That tournament ending gave the three an opportunity to familiarize themselves even further with the program after the U18 NTDP lost an overtime battle to Michigan earlier this season. Although the Wolverines were short handed due to an absence of talent attending the Olympics, the three each flashed the skills that define why they believe they can make an instant impact at the next level. “Even last year, we played against teams that were college teams,” Nazar III said. “Obviously Michigan (was included), and I think we built a game to (the college level).” Nazar III speaks from experience as the last time he entered Yost, the ice GABBY CERITANO/Daily tilted his way. The future Wolverine centerman gave Michigan a glimpse of his signature wrist shot, netting two goals in a signature performance. McGroarty chipped in on the action too, grabbing an assist on Nazar III’s second goal of the day — a powerplay strike. The two will look to replicate that magic, albeit with different maize and blue sweaters on, for a Wolverines team that lost key contributors to its power play. Replicating that success for Michigan begins this week as the trio will gain plentiful experience on a roster that boasts five other current and former Wolverines. And although the group may be ready to step into Yost familiar with their teammates, the adjustment to the college level will mean more than a faster game. “Schedule-wise, I’ve been asking some of the guys like Dylan (Duke) about the schedule of each day and classes,” Nazar III said. Like any incoming freshman, the transition to a major university will boast a bevy of new emotions and experiences both inside the classroom and out. After years of crossing counties and countries playing with the NTDP, the University of Michigan will provide a new chance for the three to settle down and play. But for this upcoming week, the three will have another chance to prove again why they feel ready to take on college hockey. As it seems, they’re up to the challenge. “I’m very confident going into next year.” Nazar III affirmed. Confidence, which they look to build upon as the three American commits — and the broader Michigan unit — take on the IIHF. ICE HOCKEY JOHN TONDORA Daily Sports Writer Nazar III, McGroarty and Casey expect to bring chemistry to Michigan PLYMOUTH, Mich. — For the Michigan hockey team, the US National Team Development Program (NTDP) has played a crucial role in the team’s core. And for the upcoming 2022-23 season, that trend is set to continue. Incoming freshman forwards Frank Nazar III and Rutger McGroarty, along with defenseman Seamus Casey will all make the transition to the Wolverines from the NTDP this upcoming season. And as they join Michigan, they also bring impressive chemistry that they have displayed. Nazar, McGroarty and Casey all played together on the NTDP U17 Team in the 2020-21 season and made the move up to the U18 team at the same time for the 2021-22 campaign. “Playing with people for that long obviously helps out,” Casey said. “There’s a lot of chemistry.” The trio has experience on the ice together in high-pressure situations — something that will be beneficial for a young Michigan team with holes that need to be filled following the departures of forwards Matty Beniers, Thomas Bordeleau and Brendan Brisson, along with defenseman Owen Power to the NHL. McGroarty, Nazar and Casey all traveled to Germany for the U18 Men’s World Junior Championship in XX, representing the American team and propelling the team to a second-place finish. McGroarty demonstrated his strong leadership abilities by captaining the team and putting up nine points in six games. Nazar and Casey also were instrumental in the team’s success, tallying nine points and six points, respectively. And now after playing in Germany, the trio has reunited on the ice after a month-long break away from each other. “I just really relaxed … (and) was a kid,” McGroarty said. “And then now, dialing it back in, … this camp’s really good (to) try and put yourself out there to make the World Juniors Team and then get in shape for the season.” Nazar, Casey and McGroarty are a part of a new group of NTDP products tasked following the impactful 2020 group of Beniers, Bordeleau and Jacob Truscott. In 2021-22, Beniers finished in the top 10 in Hobey Baker voting, and Bordeleau tallied 37 points in 37 games, playing a crucial role in the Wolverines’ success, before departing to the San Jose Sharks. And for the new additions, following in the footsteps of past Michigan standouts is not a concern. “We’re not really trying to be like those guys,” Nazar said. “We want to come in and fill in a role like they did. And there’s no doubt that we’re going to come in … and work hard.” And ahead of their debuts with the Wolverines, Nazar, Casey and McGroarty’s time spent together at the NTDP this offseason demonstrates their commitment to building off of a successful 2021-22 season and using their chemistry to fill in the gaps. ICE HOCKEY COLE MARTIN Daily Sports Writer Some of the Michigan hockey team’s new recruits will fill voids left by fellow US National Team Development Program alumni who left this offseason. GABBY CERITANO/Daily Three of the Michigan hockey team’s recruits are undaunted by the leap from the US National Team Development Program to college hockey.