Leading up to next month’s NHL Draft, Michigan defenseman Owen Power has established himself as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick. The 6-foot-6, 213-pound freshman posted three goals and 13 assists across 26 games this past season en route to a second team All-Big Ten selection.
But Power’s freshman season was anything but normal. The pandemic prevented him from a conventional college experience, while the Wolverines were removed from the NCAA Tournament before the puck even dropped due to a positive COVID-19 test.
For that reason, he’s not just entertaining the idea of returning to Ann Arbor for a second season — he’s favoring it.
“I think right now I’m probably leaning more towards going back to school,” Power said during a Friday appearance on NHL Now. “It’s something I’d like to do to try and get the true experience of playing college hockey, but at the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don’t think there’s really a bad option, but I would say I’m probably leaning a bit more towards going back to school right now.”
Regardless of Power’s decision, his draft stock will likely remain the same. Even if he returns to school next season, the NHL organization that selects him would own his draft rights for 30 days after he leaves college and turns professional.
The talented defenseman spent the early stages of the college offseason competing at the IIHF World Championships for Team Canada, where he posted three assists in 10 games as Canada took home gold. If Power remains in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines would enter next season as a national championship contender.
Michigan offers scholarship to transfer WR Daylen Baldwin
When former Jacksonville State wide receiver and Michigan native Daylen Baldwin popped up in the transfer portal, the fit in Ann Arbor seemed to make perfect sense. He hauled in 25 passes for 520 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020, establishing himself as one of the SWAC’s most dangerous pass-catchers.
The Wolverines lost Giles Jackson (Washington) to the portal earlier this offseason, while Xavier Worthy (Texas) was granted a release from his letter of intent before arriving on campus. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Baldwin would bring a long frame to Michigan’s wide receivers room while adding valuable depth.
According to The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb ($), Baldwin visited campus this week and earned a scholarship offer from the Wolverines on Friday. Ohio State offered Baldwin on Thursday, and this will be a race to watch closely in the coming days.
Recruiting News
- The Michigan Insider ($): Donovan Clingan drawn to Juwan Howard’s NBA experience
- The Michigan Insider ($): Top-60 2023 OT Luke Montgomery enjoys Michigan visit
- Zags Blog: Michigan target Jalen Duren set to reclassify, enroll in college this fall
ICYMI at Maize n Brew
- Glenn Schembechler responds to brother’s Bo, Dr. Anderson claims
- Michigan football June 11-13 recruiting visitors list
- Best Michigan offensive linemen of the Harbaugh era
Big Ten News
- Land-Grant Holy Land: Ohio State offers Christ Essandoko and U-M target Daylen Baldwin
- The Daily Gopher: RB Zach Evans commits to Minnesota
- The Champaign Room: Illinois athletics set to return to 100% capacity in 2021-22
State of Michigan Sports
- Bless You Boys: Tigers prospects on display for Whitecaps in win
- Pride of Detroit: Darren Fells hopes to feed Hockenson TDs, celebration ideas
- Detroit Bad Boys: Pistons part ways with assistant GM David Mincberg