Michigan going back to basics in upcoming exhibition against USNTDP

The U.S. National Team Development Program has one goal, and it’s in the team name — developing talent. 

Playing against semi-pro teams, top collegiate programs and even against other countries, the NTDP plays against the best competition outside the NHL in order to develop hockey’s future stars.

And for the No. 10 Michigan hockey team, its upcoming exhibition matchup Friday with the NTDP serves the same purpose: development.

Throughout their first six games, the Wolverines have shown abundant inconsistencies. While there’s plenty for them to write home about, mental mistakes and undisciplined play have been factors behind a 3-2-1 start with no series sweeps under their belt.

So with a game against the NTDP approaching, it’s the perfect time for Michigan to take a step back and fix the mishaps that have defined its slow start. 

“We’ve just been working on a lot of goal scoring,” Wolverines coach Brandon Naurato said Tuesday. “We do a ton of puck support and races and battles. All that stuff all the time, but just more rep shooting. Taking pucks off the wall, winger wall play, blue line play for the defenseman at the point. Just feeling more comfortable in those areas to break people down.”

Against the NTDP last season, Michigan stuck to these fundamentals, and the game went as well as it could’ve for the Wolverines. Netting five goals and allowing only one in the final minutes of the game, they did exactly what they needed to do. From that point on, Michigan took off, shedding its poor start and becoming a polished team that made the Frozen Four.

Last year’s NTDP team featured now-freshman forward Christian Humphreys, who’s now seen plenty of time in both locker rooms. He knows the NTDP is talented and executes the fundamentals correctly. Now, it’s the Wolverines’ time to do the same.

“We won games (with the NTDP), like 9-6 (or) 8-7,” Humphreys said. “There’s so much skill in that program, like you’re throwing in the best 17, 18-year-olds in the country. … But for (Michigan), on the flip side, we just (need to) play hard. I mean we (need to) finish with checks (and) play in our system.”

A team filled with experienced veterans and NTDP alumni, the Wolverines certainly have what it takes to beat their youthful opponents. They have more physical development, more time on the ice and they’ve beaten them before — it’s the program standard. Although the game’s result shouldn’t be in question for Michigan, it’s an opportunity for the Wolverines to make course-corrections on the things they’ve done wrong. 

With matchups against top-tier opponents like Boston University and Minnesota right around the corner, these fundamentals will influence the outcome of games. Programs like the Terriers and the Golden Gophers are flush with talent, and the Wolverines can’t afford to make simple mistakes.

Because of this, it’s back to basics for Michigan. It’s faced some turbulence upon take off, so the upcoming game against the NTDP is a chance to find a smoother path. With a long season ahead of it, the Wolverines need to perfect the basics Friday, or they could be in for a bumpy ride.

The post Michigan going back to basics in upcoming exhibition against USNTDP appeared first on The Michigan Daily.