Wolverines add two to recruiting class, now have 11 total

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016 MiHockey Staff

Four of Michigan's 11 commits for the 2016-17 season - James Sanchez, Will Lockwood, Luke Martin and — Four of Michigan’s 11 commits for the 2016-17 season – James Sanchez, Will Lockwood, Luke Martin and Nick Pastujov. (Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)

By @MichaelCaples –

The Michigan Wolverines announced two additions to their 2016-17 incoming freshman class this year, which means their recruiting class now stands at 11 players.

Today, the Wolverines officially welcomed forwards Jake Slaker (San Diego, Calif.) and Adam Winborg (Stockholm, Sweden) to the program.

They join previously committed players Hayden Lavigne, Jack LaFontaine, Will Lockwood, Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Christian Meike, Steven Merl, Nick Pastujov and James Sanchez.

With 11 total recruits, the Wolverines have their largest group of incoming freshmen at UM since the 2007-08 season.

Player bios (via the Wolverines):

Jake Slaker: A 5-foot-10, 184-pound forward … Served as captain of the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League in 2015-16, notching 42 points (21 goals, 21 assists) in 57 games … In 2014-15 with Bloomington, notched 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 57 games … Teammates with fellow incoming freshman Steven Merl in 2013-14 on Belle Tire U18 Team, Slaker moved from California to Michigan to play travel hockey … Spent the first part of his life in the Atlanta area, learning to play roller hockey first. His father, Dirk, had served as team doctor for the Atlanta Knights of the IHL and was responsible for Jake’s interest in the game.

Adam Winborg: A 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward … Played the 2015-16 season with the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League, serving as alternate captain and leading the team in scoring with 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 56 games … Led Janesville in goal scoring and had 52 points (29 goals, 23 assists) in 2014-15 … Teammates with a fellow incoming freshman, goaltender Jack LaFontaine, in 2015-16 … A native of Sweden, Winborg will be the first Swedish-born player to wear the maize and blue since Carl Hagelin (2008-11).

Hayden Lavigne (from 2014-15 recruiting class announcement): Currently playing with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … One of three USHL players to be named a “B” goaltender on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2014 North American Ones to Watch List … Went 9-7-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .922 save percentage with the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL in 2012-13.

Jack LaFontaine: A 6’3″, 197-pound goaltender … Ranked No. 13 among draft-eligible North American goaltenders in final NHL Central Scouting Rankings … Played this past season with the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) … In 41 games with Janesville in 2015-16, LaFontaine went 24-8-7 with a 2.16 GAA and .921 Save %, leading the Jets to the postseason, where he had a 1.89 GAA and .926 Save % in four starts … Named to the NAHL All-Midwest Division Team … At 17, was starting goaltender for Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) in 2014-15, finishing the season with a 20-6-0 record, 2.13 GAA and .923 Save %.

Will Lockwood: A 5’11”, 172-pound forward … Currently playing with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team … Through 20 games, sixth on the team in scoring, notching seven goals and six assists … Named a “C” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2016 Players To Watch list … Competed in the 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game … Recorded 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 53 games with the USNTDP U-17 team in 2014-15 … Son of former Wolverine Joe Lockwood ’88, who was part of head coach Red Berenson’s first four-year class at Michigan … Joe Lockwood, a forward, notched 69 points (36 goals, 33 assists) in 147 games at Michigan.

Griffin Luce: A 6’3″, 214-pound defenseman … Currently playing with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team … Has recorded a goal and two assists, playing in all 20 games so far this season … Named a “B” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2016 Players to Watch list … Competed in the 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game … Recorded two assists in 37 games played with the USNTDP U-17 team in 2014-15. Father Scott Luce is Director of Player Personnel for the Florida Panthers.

Luke Martin: A 6’2″, 201-pound defenseman … Currently playing with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team … Has recorded a goal and six assists, playing in all 20 games so far this season … Eligible for 2017 NHL Draft … Recorded two goals and 11 assists in 52 games played with the USNTDP U-17 team in 2014-15.

Christian Meike: A 6’0″, 172-pound defenseman … Currently playing with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … Has recorded goal, two assists in 10 games played so far this season … Missed significant time in 2014-15 due to injury … Also played for Skipjacks Hockey Club of United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) last season, notching seven points (2G, 5A) in 10 games, and appearing in four playoff contests.

Steven Merl: A 6’3″, 200-pound forward … Currently playing with the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League … In 15 games with Bloomington this season, has notched a goal and two assists, playing primarily at center … Split time with Bloomington and the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) in 2014-15 … Was acquired by Bloomington from Muskegon in a trade on Feb. 25, 2015 … In 42 total games last season, notched five goals and five assists … Played for Belle Tire Midget Major U18 team in 2013-14.

Nick Pastujov: A 6’0″, 199-pound forward … Currently playing with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team … In 20 games, has recorded two goals and three assists … Named a “C” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2016 Players to Watch list … Competed in the 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game … Recorded 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 45 games with the USNTDP U-18 team in 2014-15, finishing fourth on the team in scoring.

James Sanchez: A 6’1″, 184-pound forward … Currently playing with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team … In 20 games, has recorded two goals and two assists … Named a “C” skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2016 Players to Watch list … Competed in the 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game … Recorded 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 52 games with the USNTDP U-18 team in 2014-15.