Michigan hockey coach Brandon Naurato was practically beaming as he took questions Thursday.

“I’m excited,” Naurato said over and over. “Nobody is more excited than me and our staff right now.”

This eagerness stands in stark contrast to the attitude around the Wolverines last year. Just weeks before the season started, Naurato lost one of his most impactful players, forward Rutger McGroarty , to an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. With one penstroke, Michigan had a gaping hole in its offensive production and was down a veteran forward it was counting on to help bridge two eras of Wolverines hockey.

Team 102 ultimately struggled to find an identity and put together consistent performances. After its loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals, Michiga

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