DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – The reigning Big Ten Champions and Frozen Four participants return to the ice on Saturday with an exhibition game vs. Windsor College. This team, though, starts without their former head coach Mel Pearson who was fired in August.

Pearson, who had an in-depth story published on Wednesday through The Rink Live, became the center of attention after the Frozen Four. Allegations were brought against him about lying for CoVID-19 issues, creating a toxic environment, and retaliating against players. He says in the article, “I’m not trying to bury anybody or call anybody out, but there will be some things that come up to basically clear my name, and what really went down.”

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This 2022-23 team will be coached by interim Brandon Naurato and lost 14 players from last year’s team with nine being in NHL training camps. There are 15 returners with 12 freshmen as graduate student Nolan Moyle is the elected captain of the team. The alternate captains are Keaton Pehrson, Jacob Truscott, and Luke Hughes.

Hughes was the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year, College Hockey News Rookie of the Year, and an All-American as the led all defensemen in the nation in scoring last year (17 goals, 22 assists). Erik Portillo has been named the preseason Big Ten Goalie of the Year after being the B1G Tournament MVP and NCAA Midwest Regional MVP. He record 1,111 saves to lead the nation.

The talent will continue to be on the team with 12 NHL Draft picks on the team as four were first-round selections. Adam Fantilli is also a projected top prospect for the 2023 draft.

The exhibition game starts at 7:00 p.m. in Yost Arena on Saturday night.