ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Brandon Naurato fulfilled the dream of many Michigan kids more than a decade ago, playing four years of hockey for the Wolverines. For at least the coming year, he will fulfill another dream, as the University of Michigan’s interim head hockey coach.
On Sunday, less than 48 hours after the school parted ways with former coach Mel Pearson , Michigan named Naurato its interim head coach for the 2022-23 season.
Naurato, 37, is originally from suburban Detroit and played for the Wolverines between 2006-09, making four trips to the NCAA tournament and one appearance in the Frozen Four.
“I am honored to lead my alma mater and will give everything I have to what is the most storied program in college hockey,” said Naurato, in a statement released by the school. “I want to thank Warde Manuel and our student-athletes for their trust and look forward to working positively with our talented coaching and support staff.”
Manuel, the Michigan athletic director, said that they were fortunate to have someone with experience available to fill in less than two months before the Wolverines begin the season. Naurato spent his first season as a Wolverines assistant coach under Pearson in 2021-22, as they won the Big Ten playoff title and advanced to the Frozen Four.
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“We are fortunate to have someone of Brandon Naurato’s caliber to lead our ice hockey team for the upcoming year,” said Manuel, in a statement. “I had conversations with many individuals who care greatly about this program and appreciate the insight they shared. Brandon will do a great job leading the program, and I look forward to our student-athletes and staff benefiting from his leadership.”
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Naurato spent three years with the Detroit Red Wings organization, where he served as a player development consultant. In that role, he worked with the Red Wings and the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins coaching staffs to incorporate individual player skills into the organizational structure. He also spent seven years as the owner and director of Total Package Hockey in Detroit, which is an online hockey academy.
In 130 college games in maize and blue, he scored 32 goals and registered 32 assists. Naurato played four years in the pros, making stops at Stockton (ECHL), Toledo (ECHL), Port Huron (IHL), Fort Wayne (CHL), and Dayton (CHL).
Michigan's season begins on Oct. 1 with an exhibition game against Windsor (time to be determined) before the regular season commences on Oct. 7-8 with a home series against Lindenwood. The Wolverines were 31-10-1 last season under Pearson, whose contract expired on May 1. After the results of an independent investigation revealed numerous concerning incidents had taken place within the Wolverines program, Pearson was not offered a new contract.
