University of Michigan forward T.J. Hughes (13) warms up y juggling a hockey puck during a division one men’s ice hockey game between the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.Josh Boland | MLive.com
ANN ARBOR – Watching this year’s NCAA hockey tournament was painful for Michigan’s T.J. Hughes.
The 6-foot forward was an important piece on the Wolverines’ teams that reached the Frozen Four in his first two seasons, but Michigan didn’t receive an invite to this year’s NCAA dance.
It was the first team left out of the tournament, missing for the first time since 2019. Despite leading the team with 38 points and generating interest from NHL teams for a second straight offseason, Hughes said he feels his college career is unfulfilled.
Michigan announced on Thursday he is returning for his senior season in 2025-26. The 23-year-old spoke about his decision Monday on a conference call with reporters.
“Ultimately, I chose to come back just because of what we’re building here, the trajectory of my career,” he said. “I think it was best for me to come back another year and to graduate and just have another year to get better. More time with the coaches and just what we’re building here got me so excited. It’s hard to leave a place like this. Honestly, it’s the best university in the world, and it goes by so fast, so I want another year and another kick at a national championship.”
In the recent landscape of college hockey, it is unusual for players of Hughes’ caliber to play four years before turning pro. Although he wasn’t drafted, he has been among the top college free agents each of the past two years.
The Hamilton, Ontario native said he had been in discussions with several NHL teams but the allure of chasing another title was too good to pass up. In 116 career games, Hughes has 47 goals and 122 points.
He led the team in goals (15) and power-play goals (nine) this season while registering the nation’s longest point streak at 15 games. Because he wasn’t drafted, he is free to sign with any NHL franchise.
“I wanted to be a Michigan man,” he said. “I want to stay all four years. I want to graduate. The minute I stepped on campus, my goal and my parents’ goals for me were to graduate from the University of Michigan. To say I can do that is unbelievable. Super excited to get that degree from here and have it forever.
“And then just another year to get better, to take steps as a hockey player. I want to have a long career in professional hockey. And I feel like between 23 or 24, it’s not that big of a deal in terms of age. My goal is to play for a long time, and I think coming back another year is just gonna make me better and just continue to use the resources we have. We have so many resources on and off the ice here at Michigan, and they’re there for us to take as athletes.”
Head coach Brandon Naurato lauded Hughes throughout the season for his hockey smarts and the improvements in his defensive game. The center said another year at Michigan is the best path for his development and believes the Wolverines will be surrounding him with other high-caliber players next season.
The team lost seven seniors to graduation and five players have entered the transfer portal, but it is expected to be busy in the portal and mining the three Canadian Hockey Leagues this offseason. Michigan landed its first CHL commitment this week in defenseman Henry Mews, a 2024 Carolina Hurricanes third-round pick who finished third in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring among blue liners.
The Wolverines also hold a commitment from North Dakota forward Jayden Perron, a third-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes. Sources close to the program are confident more notable CHL players will be headed to Michigan next year too.
During Hughes’ first two seasons in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines were flush with early-round NHL draft picks. Last season, they only had one player selected in the first or second round: freshman forward Michael Hage.
“The whole portal and the major junior opportunities are exciting,” Hughes said of why he’s optimistic for next season. “We’ll see what the future holds with those opportunities, but super excited to see who we can get next year, who we can land and just the talent we can have. I’m really excited for it, just to be able to play with some high-end guys and get to know them. I have a lot of experience here as a college player, so just being able to lead them and just teach them as much as I can, and I’m sure I’ll learn some stuff from them too.”
Hughes and a few of his teammates watched Western Michigan, a team Michigan went 1-1 against this season, win its first national championship on Saturday. The talented forward is already counting the days until next season to begin the Wolverines’ quest for their first NCAA title since 1998.
“Not being in the tournament just isn’t a Michigan standard,” Hughes said. “It felt weird being out so early, so that was a huge part of coming back. We’re building something really special here. I think we’re gonna be a hell of a team next year. Just being so close my freshman and sophomore year just makes you want it even more.”
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