The Michigan hockey lineup could look very different in the fall — especially if the school decides not to bring back sixth-grade coach Mel Pearson.
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Michigan hockey enters an uncertain offseason full of controversy and roster issues
BOSTON — Erik Portillo stepped over the crease and looked back as the puck bounced off the net behind the Michigan goalie. Defender Luke Hughes hit the crossbar with his stick before breaking it in half with a second hit to the pipe.
And just like that, the Wolverines’ season, filled with national championship dreams with the help of one of the most talented lineups in program history, ended abruptly and overwhelmingly. The top team in the NCAA Tournament failed to knock out Denver in a 3-2 overtime loss to Denver and extend its championship drought to 24 years.
The loss raises some important questions, including whether the Wolverines’ seven first-round NHL draft picks will return and how the program plans to replace some key seniors. But there’s no bigger question than whether coach Mel Pearson will return for a sixth season — and if he should, after a season of controversy, before a 10th national title, and a waste of time After so many talents, he has an empty sense of accomplishment.
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The five-year contract Pearson signed when he was hired to replace Red Berenson in 2017 expires on April 30, according to the Michigan Journal. The student newspaper reported that discussions about a post-Frozen extension had been put on hold.
“I work under the direction of the sporting director and the board,” Pierson told the Daily Mail recently. “So if they’re ready to bring me back, that’s the plan.”
Pearson held off on commenting Thursday when asked if he would be coaching the Wolverines next season.
“I’m glad you took care of me,” he hesitated, “but I just want to talk tonight about the game and our team.”
After standing quietly in the back of the room and listening to Pearson’s postgame press conference, UM athletic director Warde Manuel also declined to comment and was later asked about the contract at the TD Center.
“He’ll be fine,” Manuel said.
These conversations were also complicated by two important circumstances—investigations of Title IX violations and workplace grievances, and two related to COVID-19.
First, the student newspaper reported that “Pearson and
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