The captains have been announced today for the 2013-2014 season, they are as followed:

Mac Bennett (C)

Derek DeBlois (A)

Andrew Copp (A)

I had assumed that these three would be chosen so it's no surprise. Mac had already proven himself, while DeBlois and Copp have the leadership and work ethic that make the best captains. The sophomore A for Copp is especially well deserving.

United States of Hockey

It has been confirmed that Michigan freshman defensemen Jacob Trouba will leave Michigan to sign with the Jets. His departure leaves the Wolverines in a very messy situation in terms of replacing his offensive and defensive skills, his ability to run a powerplay and it leaves Michigan without another defensemen who can skate for 20-25 minutes a game.

More to come on the future of the blueline in a later post

The offseason has begun and attrition has claimed our first player, as junior defensemen Jon Merrill has left Michigan and signed with the Devils.

Annarbor.com

There is no surprise to this decision as the last two seasons have been rough on Jon, a suspension cost him half of his sophomore year and a cracked vertebrae cost him half of his junior year. When he was on the ice Merrill was one of the most talented blueliners in college hockey, possessing an outstanding moblie offensive skill set and shutdown defensive ability. Without him Michigan struggled mightily but his presence on the ice made the Wolverines better as a team.

With Jon leaving Michigan's blueline looks OK, if Trouba leaves things will start to get interesting. Mac Bennett is the top returner to the blueline, Brennan Serville needs consistency, Mike Szuma is serviceable, Chiasson is a bit of a mystery and Clare may or may not return. Michigan is going to need quality minutes from incoming recruits Michael Downing and Nolan De Jong to stay afloat, especially if Trouba departs.

Notre Dame 3 - Michigan 1

Where do we begin. Let me start out saying that I'm proud of the team and how they have played during the last month. They could have packed it up and called it a season but they never quit, coming within twenty minutes of an NCAA tournament berth. It's not easy ending the season so close to our goal but throughout the past month they have given us a team everyone could be proud of, and have shown us that there is hope for next season.

So what went wrong? What was different tonight? Michigan came out tonight flying but just for the first shift, after the top line skated off it was all Notre Dame. Once the Irish started bringing the intensity it was too much for the worn out Wolverines, and Notre Dame used their relentless pace to overwhelm them. After a Derek DeBlois shorthanded goal made it 1-0 Michigan would succumb to the pressure allowing two goals before an empty netter.  

If there are such things as moral victories after your season ends this is it. The outstanding play from Steve Racine was the reason why this game wasn't 10-1, as Notre Dame sent a barrage of pucks his way for sixty minutes. In the end, they just ran out of gas.

Michigan has fought hard to be where they are today, but it means nothing without a win. With time constraints due to the game schedule, this post will be shorter in length.

Forwards

USCHO

Cumulative Offensive Statistics

Team Offense 2.95 GPG, 23rd NCAA

Powerplay 31-167, 18.56%. 25th NCAA

The Irish love to break out, they push tempo very well and do a great job capitalizing off turnovers. Michigan needs to avoid those mistakes to stay in this game, too many turnovers and the Irish will run all over Michigan.

After the break, defense and goalies