MICHIGAN HOCKEY’S NEW ERA: WOLVERINES LOAD UP WITH ELITE FRESHMAN CLASS
Landon DuPont, Jack Nesbitt, Cam Reid and J.P. Hurlbert headline a seven-player class as Michigan looks to build on another deep NCAA Tournament run.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan is entering the 2026-27 season with expectations that are about as high as they get in college hockey.
After earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last season and reaching the Frozen Four, the Wolverines have added another wave of high-end talent to an already loaded roster. Michigan officially announced its seven-player freshman class in July, with four NHL first-round selections leading the group.
And while the headline names are impossible to miss, the bigger story may be the depth.
Michigan’s incoming class features Landon DuPont, Jack Nesbitt, Cam Reid, J.P. Hurlbert, Brandt Harper, Kieren Dervin and Nic Sima.
The Wolverines also return a strong group that includes Adam Valentini, Michael Hage, Will Horcoff, Jayden Perron, Malcolm Spence, Garrett Schifsky, Henry Mews, Ben Robertson and goaltender Jack Ivankovic, among others.
That combination gives head coach Brandon Naurato an extremely deep roster heading into the new campaign.
LANDON DUPONT: THE HEADLINER
If there is one name that immediately jumps off the page, it is Landon DuPont.
The Calgary, Alberta defenseman arrives in Ann Arbor as one of the most highly regarded prospects in the world.
DuPont was granted exceptional status to enter the WHL early, becoming just the ninth player in CHL history and the second player in WHL history to receive the designation. He spent the past two seasons with the Everett Silvertips.
And he didn’t simply survive against older competition — he dominated it.
In 63 regular-season games with Everett in 2025-26, DuPont recorded:
18 goals, 55 assists, 73 points
He then added another 23 points in 18 playoff games as Everett captured the WHL championship and advanced to the Memorial Cup final.
DuPont was also an alternate captain for Everett and was a finalist for WHL Defenseman of the Year.
His résumé already includes:
- 2025 WHL Rookie of the Year
- 2025 CHL Rookie of the Year
- CHL All-Rookie Team
- Two-time WHL Third All-Star Team
- 2026 WHL Defenseman of the Year finalist
- 2024 WHL Prospects Draft No. 1 overall selection
- Hlinka Gretzky Cup bronze medal
- U17 World Hockey Challenge silver medal
Now comes the next step.
DuPont is already widely viewed as the projected No. 1 pick for the 2027 NHL Draft, and NHL.com recently described Michigan as the next major challenge in his development.
The biggest question isn’t whether DuPont has the talent.
It’s how quickly he can translate that talent to the NCAA game.
The answer could come quickly.
With his skating, puck movement and ability to create from the blue line, DuPont has a chance to immediately become one of Michigan’s most important defensemen.
And unlike a typical freshman defenseman, he arrives with two years of major-junior experience already behind him.
The 2026-27 season could be the beginning of one of the most closely watched draft years in college hockey.
JACK NESBITT: SIZE, SKILL AND SARNIA ROOTS
For hockey fans around Sarnia, this one is especially interesting.
Jack Nesbitt is coming home — sort of.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound forward from Sarnia, Ontario, is heading to Michigan after three seasons with the Windsor Spitfires.
Nesbitt finished his OHL career with 140 points in 178 games, including 59 goals and 81 assists. He added another 20 points in 25 playoff games.
His final OHL season saw him produce at more than a point-per-game pace:
55 GP — 25 G — 33 A — 58 PTS
That’s a 1.05 points-per-game average.
He’s also a former Lambton Jr. Sting player, making his path from Sarnia to Windsor and now Ann Arbor particularly notable for local hockey fans.
Nesbitt was selected:
- 20th overall in the 2023 OHL Draft
- 12th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft
He also won gold with Canada at the 2025 U18 World Championship.
What does he bring to Michigan?
Beyond the numbers, Nesbitt brings something that can’t be measured on a stat sheet: character. Those who have followed his development know the player is only one part of the story. Jack has consistently carried himself with humility, competitiveness and a genuine commitment to those around him. That character will be just as valuable in Ann Arbor as his 6-foot-5 frame and scoring ability.
As a Next Gen Hockey athlete, Nesbitt has been someone we’ve been fortunate to follow throughout his development, and watching him take the next step to one of the premier programs in college hockey is particularly rewarding. Michigan isn’t just getting a highly drafted prospect — they’re getting an outstanding young man who has the potential to make an impact both on and off the ice.
At 6-foot-5, Nesbitt gives Michigan another massive forward who can play through the middle of the ice and create problems along the walls and around the net.
He could be particularly valuable when games tighten up late in the season.
Michigan already has plenty of speed and skill.
Nesbitt gives them another element. On and off the ice
And if he can translate his OHL scoring pace to the NCAA level, he could become one of the Wolverines’ most important additions.
CAM REID: A CHAMPION ON THE BLUE LINE
If DuPont is the flashy addition, Cam Reid may be one of the most reliable.
The Aylmer, Ontario defenseman arrives at Michigan after serving as captain of the Kitchener Rangers during a championship season.
Kitchener won the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup in 2025-26, with Reid playing a major role.
In his final OHL season, Reid produced:
57 GP — 15 G — 41 A — 56 PTS
He added another 14 points during the playoffs.
Across his 173-game OHL career, Reid recorded 31 goals, 102 assists and 133 points while posting a +82 rating.
That’s impressive offensive production from a defenseman.
But Reid also brings something that statistics can’t measure.
Leadership.
Beyond everything Reid brings on the ice, his character may be his greatest asset. Having had the opportunity to watch Cam’s development, it’s clear that the player Michigan is getting is every bit as impressive off the ice as he is on it. His leadership, humility and willingness to put the team first were evident during his time in Kitchener, where he helped lead the Rangers to an OHL championship and Memorial Cup title. For Michigan, Reid isn’t simply adding another highly drafted defenseman — they’re adding a tremendous teammate and an even better person. Those qualities can go a long way in a locker room, especially on a team with championship aspirations.
He was a captain for a Memorial Cup-winning team.
He has already played on the international stage.
He represented Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship, where Canada won bronze, and previously won gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
Reid was selected 21st overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Michigan is getting a defenseman who has already experienced championship hockey, international hockey and the pressure that comes with being a leader.
That could make him extremely valuable alongside DuPont and Michigan’s returning defensive core.
J.P. HURLBERT: A GOAL-SCORER WITH NHL PEDIGREE
The fourth major name in Michigan’s freshman class is J.P. Hurlbert.
And his numbers from Kamloops are eye-opening.
Hurlbert recorded 97 points in 68 WHL games, scoring 42 goals and adding 55 assists.
He finished fourth in the entire WHL in scoring, led all rookies in scoring and was named the WHL Rookie of the Year.
He was also a finalist for WHL Player of the Year and earned a spot on the WHL First All-Star Team.
Then came the NHL Draft.
The Detroit Red Wings selected Hurlbert 23rd overall in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
He’s a right-shot forward who can score, create and play with pace.
And Michigan isn’t short on playmakers who can get him the puck.
That makes Hurlbert a fascinating player to watch during the early part of the season.
THE REST OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS
Brandt Harper — Defense
Harper comes to Michigan from the North Bay Battalion after recording 22 points in 57 OHL games last season.
The right-shot defenseman also spent two seasons in the USHL before moving to North Bay.
At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, Harper brings another right-handed option to a Michigan blue line that suddenly has plenty of depth.
Kieren Dervin — Forward
Dervin spent last season with the Kingston Frontenacs and recorded 42 points — 17 goals and 25 assists — in 53 games.
He was selected 65th overall by Vancouver in the 2025 NHL Draft.
His ability to create offensively could make him an intriguing depth option in a forward group that is already loaded.
Nic Sima — Forward
Sima brings significant OHL experience despite being a freshman.
He played 308 OHL games, recording 124 regular-season points, and was part of the Saginaw Spirit’s 2024 Memorial Cup championship team.
Last season, he split time between Saginaw and Ottawa and recorded 44 points in 66 games.
At 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, Sima gives Michigan another big-bodied forward.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ADAM VALENTINI
Valentini technically isn’t part of the new freshman class — but he could be one of the most important players in this story.
The Toronto native returns for his sophomore season after an impressive freshman campaign.
He led all Michigan freshmen in scoring last season with:
40 GP — 11 G — 16 A — 27 PTS
He played every game while helping Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament and reach the Frozen Four.
Then, in June, Valentini was selected 96th overall by the Utah Mammoth in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Wolverines don’t just have their freshman class coming in.
They also have players like Valentini taking another step.
That’s potentially a huge difference-maker.
MICHIGAN’S FORWARD GROUP IS LOADED
The Wolverines return an impressive collection of offensive talent alongside the newcomers.
Michael Hage, Jayden Perron, Will Horcoff, Malcolm Spence, Garrett Schifsky and Adam Valentini are among the returning forwards, while Nesbitt, Hurlbert, Dervin and Sima join the group.
That creates competition for every spot in the lineup.
And that’s exactly what a championship-caliber team wants.
One projection has Hage, Horcoff and Perron together on a top line, with a potential second unit featuring Spence, Nesbitt and Hurlbert. That’s only a projection, but it demonstrates just how much offensive depth Naurato has at his disposal.
A BLUE LINE WITH PLENTY OF OPTIONS
Michigan’s defensive group could be equally interesting.
DuPont brings elite puck-moving ability.
Reid brings championship experience and offensive production.
Returning players such as Ben Robertson, Henry Mews, Asher Barnett, Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen and Malcolm Spence give Naurato plenty of options as he builds his defensive combinations.
The biggest storyline could be how quickly DuPont and Reid establish themselves.
Both have already played significant minutes against older players.
Now they’ll have to do it against NCAA competition.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Michigan also returns Jack Ivankovic, who enters his sophomore season after making the jump from the OHL’s Brampton Bulldogs.
The Wolverines’ current roster also includes Stephen Peck and Julian Molinaro in goal.
Ivankovic gives Michigan continuity in net, while the team in front of him has been significantly reinforced.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Michigan’s 2026-27 schedule begins with a home series against Bowling Green on October 2-3, followed by Alaska Anchorage and a road series against Denver.
The Big Ten schedule begins with a trip to Ohio State from October 29-November 1.
The Wolverines then face Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Notre Dame throughout the conference season before finishing the regular season at Penn State on March 4-5.
And that’s where this roster gets really interesting.
Michigan won’t have the luxury of easing into the season.
The Wolverines will be tested early and often.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Michigan hockey this season.
DuPont could be the most important freshman defenseman in college hockey.
Nesbitt gives Michigan size, skill and a proven scoring touch.
Reid arrives as a Memorial Cup champion and former OHL captain.
Hurlbert brings 42 goals and a WHL Rookie of the Year award.
And behind them is a seven-player freshman class joining a roster that already contains a significant amount of NHL-calibre talent. Michigan is currently listed with 16 NHL-drafted players on its 2026-27 roster.
The Wolverines aren’t simply replacing players.
They’re adding another layer.
And with DuPont, Nesbitt, Reid, Hurlbert and a returning group led by players like Valentini, Hage, Perron and Horcoff, Michigan enters 2026-27 with legitimate national championship aspirations.
🔵🟡 NEXT GEN HOCKEY — QUICK TAKE
Freshman to watch: Dupont, Nesbitt, Reid
Biggest addition: Landon DuPont
Best scoring threat: J.P. Hurlbert
Most intriguing power forward: Jack Nesbitt
Most NHL-ready newcomer: Cam Reid
Sleeper: Kieren Dervin
Returning breakout candidate: Adam Valentini
Biggest storyline: How quickly DuPont adapts to NCAA hockey
Team outlook: National championship contender