Penguins trade up to take Michigan forward in first round of NHL draft

Michigan’s NHL draft streak has been extended.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded up from No. 31 to No. 24 to select rising Wolverines sophomore forward Will Horcoff on Friday. Michigan has had at least one player or incoming recruit selected in the first round in nine consecutive drafts.

The 6-foot-5 Horcoff was the youngest player in college hockey last year after joining the Wolverines midseason. It didn’t take him long to get acclimated, recording a goal and an assist in his debut against Ohio State on Jan. 4 at Wrigley Field. Horcoff played in Michigan’s top nine the rest of the season and also was a fixture on the power play.

In 18 games, the Birmingham native had four goals and six assists. He is the son of former NHL forward and current Red Wings assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff.

At the NHL combine earlier this month, Will set a record in the horizontal jump, clearing 124.8 inches. He projects to be a power forward at the NHL level.

“I think his size is the biggest factor, but it’s what he does with it too,” FloHockey NHL prospects guru Chris Peters told MLive. “The physicality he’s able to play with, the fact that he transitioned to college hockey, and the first few games there were a couple instances where college athletes are bouncing off of him and you’re just like, ‘Well, this is different. He’s built a little different.’

“I think the NHL pedigree absolutely helps. I think teams like his character. They like the athleticism that he displays and the strength he has. I think the offensive upside and the offensive ceiling is a bit lower, but at the same time, at the end of the first round, especially in this draft class, you’re just trying to find NHL players. I think that his physical profile and how he’s progressed so far over the last couple of years does suggest high NHL potential.”

The Wolverines have produced 14 first-round picks during their current streak and 35 overall – a NCAA record. Horcoff is the first Michigan player selected in what could be a historic draft for the program. It could break its single-draft record with eight players or recruits selected. Incoming freshman forward Malcolm Spence likely will join Horcoff in the first round.