Kevin Porter's point production jumped from 11-14–25
as a freshman to 17-21– 38 last season.
(Amir Gamzu/Wolverine Photo)
Key Statistics: The quietly
efficient Porter last season led the Wolverines with
four game-winning goals. He also shared honors with
T.J. Hensick and Brandon Kaleniecki as the team's top
goal scorer (all three had 17), and his seven power-play
goals were second only to Kaleniecki's nine among U-M
skaters.
What He Does: It's probably
easier to run down the list of things Porter doesn't
do for the Wolverines – play goalie, sharpen skates,
run down passes from Chad Henne. Seriously, despite
the Mariana Trench-like depth Michigan boasts up front,
Porter's been among the team's top three forwards in
terms of ice time in each of his first two seasons.
That's because, assistant coach Billy Powers points
out, the former U.S. National Team Development Program
member has been one of the Wolverines' top penalty-killers
and part of the potent U-M power play since day one
– a status he wasn't handed, but earned. "Whatever
line he's on, he's the rock," Powers explains.
"He's the one that makes everything go in both
ends."
The Bigger Picture: Powers
says this is the year he and the rest of the Michigan
coaching staff expect Porter to make the leap "from
productive to prolific," adding that 25 goals and
50 points aren't out of the question. Such projections
may seem lofty without the proper context, but examine
Porter's numbers from his first two years in Ann Arbor
(11-14–25 as a frosh, 17-21–38 last year)
and the 25-50 marks fit in to a natural progression.
Always a heady player, Porter's physical maturity is
finally catching up to his mental acumen for the game.
The newfound strength enhance his productivity across
the board.
Michigan assistant coach Billy
Powers on Porter: “Consistency is a key
word when talking about hockey players. He's on an even
keel. He may not get the three- or four-point night,
but you know what you're going to get shift in and shift
out. The attributes he has are what you'd like to see
in all your forwards.’’
Kevin Porter's point production jumped from 11-14–25
as a freshman to 17-21– 38 last season.
(Amir Gamzu/Wolverine Photo)