Following Michigan’s second consecutive Frozen Four loss, the players were still on the ice when I thought to myself, “I hope Fantilli comes back.” Undeniably a selfish request, but following the mass exodus of 2022, can you blame me?
Following last year’s defeat in the national semifinal, Michigan lost a staggering 14 of its 29 players: Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Kent Johnson, Brendan Brisson, Thomas Bordeleau, Nick Blankenburg, Johnny Beecher, Michael Pastujov, Jimmy Lambert, Garrett Van Wyhe, Jacke Leavy, Luke Morgan, Jack Summers and Jake Gingell, and not to mention head coach Mel Pearson.
This year, the number is expected to be around seven, which bodes well for team chemistry and national championship aspirations in 2024.