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A conversation with the University of Michigan hockey team
WRITTEN BY SOPHIE ALABRE AND LENA GARDNER, PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRADY SORTOR
Wolverine ice hockey is a legendary and historic program. Their accolades include 22 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, the NCAA record. 9 NCAA championships. 8 Big Ten championships, including winning it last year. Besides impressive team achievements, they also have impressive players and alumni, having 99 all-Americans, 2 Hobey Baker winners, 21 Olympians, 21 Stanley cup winners, and 109 players who made it to the NHL. This year the team is no different. They had 6 players called up to the Junior World Cups, and out of those six there were five bronze medals won and one gold. Luke Hughes, a current player, captained the USA team during the tournament. They currently have 6 NHL draft picks, four of them being round 1 picks. The Wolverines are currently ranked 4th in the NCAA with a record of 20-11-3 all around. Just like Dexter sports, Michigan hockey hasn’t always had an easy time. From losing their head coach, 5 first round pick NHL players, and going through some tough losses this season, they’ve been able to keep their heads strong. These student athletes have worked hard and pushed themselves, something many of our athletes can relate to. We had the privilege of being able to sit in on one of the team’s practices and speak with them.
We first got to speak to Rutger McGroarty (Freshman, F). He made team USA this past Juniors World Cup and was Drafted rd.1 (14) to the Winnepeg Jets last year. We next got to speak with Jacob Truscott (Junior, D). He was selected to the Vancouver Canucks in the 2020 NHL Draft. Additionally, we got to speak with Adam Fantilli (Freshman, F). He is draft eligible in 2023 and recently won gold with Team Canada at the Junior World Cup. Lastly, we got to interview Mackie Samoskevich (Sophomore, F), Round 1 pick 24 of the 2021 draft to the Florida Panthers.
Squall: How does it feel playing for a team with a history of success? Do you feel any added pressure on the ice?
Rutger McGroarty: I mean it’s a lot of fun, there’s a lot of history on this team which makes it fun. Playing with the block ‘M’ on your jersey every single day is a ton of fun. I wouldn’t say there’s any pressure, obviously, you know about all the people that come before you and all the traditions. So, I would say it’s just cooler and makes you thrive in the moment.
Squall: Like Canada, Michigan is also a big team with a lot of history. Do you feel any different pressure playing for Michigan as you do Canada?
Adam Fantilli: Probably not as big of a spotlight I’d say here in Ann Arbor, especially being away from the Canadian Media. Which is pretty good, they can get aggressive out there. Being down here with the group of guys that we’re with is a little bit more stress-free.
Squall: After losing so many talented players last season, did you guys have to change how you play or your mentality in any way? Did it affect you guys in any way?
Rutger: No, I wouldn’t say that. We had a great freshman class that came in this year, and it’s been fun so far. We have a team that likes to play fast, and once you’re playing fast you’re having success. I think we had a couple of learning curves at the beginning, but now going into the second half we’re going.
Mackie Samoskevich: Not really because we got so many great players coming in this year. It was a pretty special year with all the players we had last year. But we had a ton of players fill their spots, their youth, and their learning. But, they’ve learned a lot and I think they’re ready for this second half coming up.
Squall: To go along with those changes, you guys currently have an interim coach. Has that affected anything this season?
Rutger: No, he’s the man. Nar’s the man. Everybody loves that guy. He’s just the best.
Mackie: Not really because he was our forward coach last year, so we’re kinda used to him. I think he’s doing an unbelievable job. He’s so smart and knows so much about the game, so, definitely best to have him back there and help calm us down sometimes.
Squall: Does your mentality switch heading into the second half of the season, are you expecting something or just ready for anything?
Jacob Truscott: I thought the first half was pretty good. We didn’t set ourselves up the best, so entering the second half we have to enter playoff mode. Every game is important and we need the points right now. So every game is a big game going into the second half.
Squall: After an impressive performance at the Juniors World Cup is there anything you learned there that you could bring to this team, any experiences you would want to bring here?
Adam: One thing I learned was how important depth roles are on a team. We had a lot of guys that were first-round picks, and a lot of guys had to check their egos at the door and play a role they weren’t used to. I think that was something that really got us far in that tournament, something that got us the gold medal. That was probably the biggest thing I learned.
Squall: How does it feel to play for a team with a big history of success, and a big history in general? Did it add any pressure on you during the games?
Adam: First of all I was grateful to get the call to represent my country. I was honored to be able to go out there, make the team, and go out to the tournament with them. There are a lot of expectations that come with wearing that crest on your logo. There’s a lot of responsibility to try and perform as best you can for your country.
While we were at Yost we also got a chance to chat with them about their upcoming games against Ohio State and Minnesota.
Squall: This Friday you guys will be playing Ohio State, how are you feeling heading into this game knowing it’s a big game in terms of rivalry and rankings?
Mackie: Yeah I’m excited big time. We had a couple of games last year . We went at it a little bit. It’s a big school rivalry so we always look forward to it. They’re pretty good this year, so two big games for sure.
Rutger: It’ll be fun. I mean rivalry weekend, don’t wear your red to the rink. We don’t like those guys, and they don’t like us. So, it’ll be a lot of fun.
Adam: Ever since I got here I’ve been hearing about the rivalry, so, really excited to get on the ice against them.
Jacob: Oh yeah. It’s a good rivalry, you know we don’t really like these guys. Every time we play them it’s a fun one, so I’m looking forward to it.
Squall: Later this week you guys play Minnesota again, are you guys going to change your mentality in any way to play them again knowing the outcome of the previous games?
Rutger: I think last time we played them, I’m not making any excuses we lost, but, we didn’t have our full team we just weren’t in the right mindset. Going into Minnesota will be a lot of fun, that’s another team that we’re not the biggest fans of. So, it’ll be a fun weekend and I’m looking forward to it.
Mackie: When we played them we were missing a ton of guys going through some illnesses. So, we’ll have our full squad this time and I think it’ll be two fun games for sure. They’re a really good team, but we’re looking good right now so I’m confident going into it.
Adam: Second half of the season our mentality is just to get as dialed in as possible and play our game against every team that we play. I think when we play our way the right way nobody in the country can play with us.
Jacob: I mean they’re a good team every year. It’s always a good match-up against them. They swept us and that left a bitter taste in our mouths. So, I think we’re all excited to get back out there. 
Playing for The University of Michigan is something all of these players have great pride in. Even though their season did not get off to the same start as last year, they’re still a strong team to face this year. What the players had to share is something a lot of our high school student-athletes can take away from. Every team in the last couple of years has had a large number of players. From field hockey losing over 15 players the last two years, and football about to graduate a large number of strong seniors. The UofM hockey team also had to face this. I think many student-athletes can stand to learn from the tenacity and depth of players. A lot of our teams can also look for inspiration on how they’ve adapted and learned from losses in order to win. Overall I think this team is full of parallels to many of our Dexter student-athletes.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For the second straight season, the Michigan hockey team reached the Frozen Four. The Wolverines lost to eventual National Championship Quinnipiac 5-2 in the national semifinals.
