ANN ARBOR – Michigan head hockey coach Brandon Naurato is beaming with optimism during his preseason news conference last week. Cole McKinny: first of many pic.twitter.com/k2gcxVGPjn — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) October 3, 2025McKinney, a 2025 second-round pick of the San Jose Sharks, had a memorable college debut, recording a point on two of the team’s first three goals. pic.twitter.com/HugO3aillu — Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) October 4, 2025Michigan, which missed the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since 2019, enters the year as the second-youngest team in the country but received hefty contributions from its 11-member freshman class. Valentini, defenseman Drew Schock, a 2025 fourth-round pick, defenseman Asher Barnett, a fifth-round pick, and forward Aidan Park, a seventh-round pick, each registered one point. Goalie Jack Ivankovic, a third-round pick of the Predators, didn’t see much action but stopped 15 of 16 shots.