Michigan Hockey Turns to Peck After Ivankovic
A New Face in Net as Michigan Heads to Minnesota
Ann Arbor hockey fans have grown used to seeing one name in goal this season: Jack Ivankovic. But for the first time all year, the Wolverines will start a different goalie when Michigan visits Minnesota on Friday night—freshman Stephen Peck.
The shift comes after Ivankovic exited Michigan’s 7-4 win over Notre Dame on Saturday following a collision in the second period. Notre Dame forward Danny Nelson stumbled and slid into the standout freshman, who needed assistance leaving the ice. Ivankovic, a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators, has been one of the most reliable players in college hockey this season—leading the NCAA in wins and ranking among the top 10 nationally with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Now, Michigan’s next stretch will look different in the crease, even if the goals remain the same.
What Michigan Knows: The Team Identity Stays the Same
Head coach Brandon Naurato made it clear this week that the Wolverines aren’t planning to reinvent themselves because of a change in net. Michigan has been the Big Ten’s most consistent team so far, and Naurato’s message is that the foundation—pace, pressure, and depth—doesn’t depend on any one player.
“Our team identity is our team identity,” Naurato said. “We’re not going to change our style of play because of different goalie is in net. We have trust in Steve and will be good to go.”
That confidence comes at a pivotal time. Michigan is the top-ranked team in the country with an 18-4 overall record and a 9-3 mark in Big Ten play, leading the conference by four points with 12 games remaining. And while Ivankovic’s timeline is uncertain, Naurato said Tuesday he is hopeful the freshman returns in time for the postseason.
In the meantime, it’s Peck’s net—and Michigan’s challenge is to keep doing what it has done all season: win with depth and discipline, no matter who is in the crease.
Stephen Peck’s Debut: Thrown In, Then Locked In
Peck’s first college action didn’t come with the luxury of a slow start. He entered Saturday’s game in the second period after Ivankovic went down, immediately facing a tense situation: Notre Dame had significant power-play time after Michigan forward Josh Eernisse received a five-minute major for cross-checking Nelson following the collision.
For a freshman making his NCAA debut, it was as high-pressure as it gets—protecting a lead, on the penalty kill, with the game’s momentum hanging in the balance. Peck responded by stopping 18 of 21 shots and delivering multiple key saves during the extended penalty kill to help Michigan hold a 3-1 lead.
It wasn’t just a matter of surviving; it was a sign that Michigan’s next-man-up approach is real.
Big-Game Experience, Even Without the Spotlight
Ivankovic arrived at Michigan with a reputation that follows elite goalie prospects: NHL draft status, national attention, and the expectation that he could swing games by himself. Peck doesn’t carry that same pedigree, but Michigan believes he brings something just as important—experience in meaningful moments.
Last season, Peck won a United States Hockey League championship with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He posted a 19-6-5 record in the regular season and went 3-2 in the playoffs, getting a taste of what it means to perform when every save matters.
Naurato emphasized that Peck has prepared for this opportunity long before it arrived.
“He’s been working his butt off and he knows the deal that when something like this happens, he’s the guy and we need him to step up, just like everyone else,” Naurato said. “But I don’t think there’s added pressure for him. It’s not like we’re on our fourth goalie.”
That perspective matters. The story isn’t that Michigan is scrambling—it’s that Michigan is leaning on a player it trusts, backed by a roster that has shown it can win in multiple ways.
Why Michigan Can Absorb the Change: Offense, Depth, and Balance
The Wolverines have been more than a goalie story this season. Even with Ivankovic playing at an elite level, Michigan’s identity has been fueled by relentless offense and contributions from throughout the lineup. Michigan leads the country in scoring, and the production hasn’t been concentrated in just one line.
In last weekend’s sweep of Notre Dame—wins of 5-2 and 7-4—the Wolverines got a major boost from a group that doesn’t always get the headlines. Michigan’s fourth line of Garrett Schifsky, Kienan Draper, and Aidan Park combined for five goals and five assists over the two games.
That kind of depth is a quiet advantage in college hockey. When the fourth line can tilt a series, opponents can’t simply game-plan around the top scorers. It also helps a new starting goalie: the more time the puck spends in the offensive zone, the fewer high-danger chances he has to face.
Production Across the Roster
Through 22 games, Michigan has built a roster that can score in waves. Twelve players have at least 13 points, a stat that speaks to both talent and buy-in. It’s not about waiting for one star to carry the night; it’s about creating pressure shift after shift.
“If any team has all four lines going in any game, it’s going to be a really tough team to beat,” Naurato said. “For us this year, different guys have stepped up at different times.”
That’s the blueprint Michigan will rely on as Peck takes over: keep the offense rolling, stay structured defensively, and let the goalie play with confidence instead of fear.
What This Means for Ann Arbor: A Team Built on Trust
In Ann Arbor, hockey has always been about more than the scoreboard. It’s about community—students packing Yost, families making Friday nights a tradition, alumni following from across the country, and a city that rallies around the maize and blue when the winter calendar turns busy.
Moments like this—when a key player goes down and someone else steps into the spotlight—often reveal the heart of a team. Michigan’s response so far has been simple: trust the work, trust the system, trust the person next to you.
That mindset doesn’t just win games. It’s also a reminder of what makes sports meaningful in a community: the shared investment, the collective resilience, and the belief that everyone has a role.
Looking Ahead: Minnesota, the Stretch Run, and Postseason Hope
Michigan’s trip to Minnesota is a test for any team, and it becomes even more significant with a new starter in net. How Peck settles into a full-game rhythm, how the defense supports him early, and how Michigan manages momentum on the road will all be storylines worth watching.
At the same time, the Wolverines aren’t framing this as a temporary crisis. Naurato said he is hopeful Ivankovic returns in time for the postseason, and the season’s first half has given Michigan a cushion in the Big Ten standings. But college hockey rarely allows teams to coast. The schedule tightens, the games get heavier, and every weekend becomes a measuring stick.
For Michigan, the message is clear: the goals stay the same, even if the goalie mask changes.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- Stephen Peck will start Friday at Minnesota, marking the first non-Ivankovic start of the season.
- Coach Brandon Naurato is hopeful Jack Ivankovic returns for the postseason, but Peck will handle the crease for now.
- Peck’s debut came under pressure, and he responded with key saves while stopping 18 of 21.
- Michigan’s offense and depth remain a major strength, with the Wolverines leading the nation in scoring.
- Twelve Wolverines already have at least 13 points, underscoring balanced production.
In Ann Arbor, the Season Keeps Moving
Injuries are an unwelcome part of every hockey season, especially when they involve a player as important as Ivankovic. But Michigan’s response—steady, confident, and team-first—reflects why the Wolverines have been the nation’s top-ranked team.
Now the next chapter belongs to Stephen Peck: a freshman with championship experience, a calm first impression, and a chance to prove that Michigan’s success isn’t dependent on any one name. For Ann Arbor fans, it’s another reason to tune in—because the best teams aren’t just built on stars, they’re built on trust.
Source: Reporting by Ryan Zuke (rzuke1@mlive.com).