Michigan hockey lands two more commitments from Canadian major junior players

Michigan’s hockey program has landed two more commitments from Canadian Hockey League players.

Winger Jacob Larose of the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and center Jimmy Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds in the Ontario Hockey League announced their verbal pledges to the Wolverines on Thursday. Larose, 20, will join the Michigan for the 2025-26 season, while Lombardi, 18, will play one more year with the Firebirds before beginning his college career.

The Wolverines continue to tap into a new pool of prospective student-athletes, with players in the three CHL leagues eligible to play at the NCAA level for the first time.

Previously, they were banned from competing in the NCAA because the governing body of college athletics considered them professionals since they received stipends from their major junior teams.

Michigan has been busy recruiting in Canada, receiving six verbal pledges from CHL players this offseason. Larose should add some offense to head coach Brandon Naurato’s lineup next season. The 5-foot-9 Quebec native totaled 26 goals and 61 points in 63 games last season split between Drummondville and Victoriaville. His best season in the QMJHL came in 2023-24, when he registered 38 goals and 80 points in 67 games.

Lombardi is the second Firebird to commit to Michigan in as many days, following defenseman Matthew Mania’s announcement Wednesday. The 6-foot Lombardi (no relation to former Firebirds forward and Red Wings draft pick Amadeus Lombardi) had 13 goals and 45 assists in 63 games for Flint last season and is a projected mid-to-late-round pick in this week’s NHL draft.

The Wolverines, who missed the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2019, will have a new-look roster in 2025-26. They are bringing in at least 10 freshmen and have added three transfers.