Michigan hockey signee Seamus Casey picked in second round of NHL draft

Michigan’s hockey program had never had three players selected within the top 50 picks of an NHL draft until last year.

It has now done it in back-to-back drafts. Incoming freshman defenseman Seamus Casey became the third Wolverine selected in the 2022 draft in Montreal, going to the New Jersey Devils in the second round at No. 46 overall is Friday.

The 5-foot-10, 173-pound right-handed shot spent last season with the US National Team Development Program, recording 10 goals and 23 assists in 48 games.

I would say that Caseys a bit of a wildcard, Chris Peters, NHL prospects Analyst at FloHockey, told MLive on Tuesday. If he had better numbers she got skill, Theres no question. Hes got Offensive ability, but his numbers just really didnt pop at all. I think he has trouble finishing off plays sometimes and doesn’t have like that dynamic element that (USNTDP teammate) Lane Hutson. But for him, hes such a good skater, and thats a huge part of why I think hell probably be an early day two pick with the chance to be a Fringe first rounder.

Caseys teammates last season and fellow incoming Michigan freshmen Frank Nazar and Rutger McGroarty were drafted in Thursdays first round. Nazar, a center, was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 13, while McGroarty, a winger, went one pick later to the Winnipeg Jets.

Casey is an Estero, Florida native, and is viewed as an Offensive defenseman. He is the third Devils pick on Michigans roster, joining sophomore defensemen Luke Hughes (No. 4 overall, 2021) and Ethan Edwards (No. 120 overall, 2020).

Seamus is a modern-day puck-moving defenseman that is great in transition and thrives when the puck is on his stick, Michigan Assistant Coach Brandon Naurato said in a release when the teams freshman signing class was announced in February. His Offensive Instincts and elite skating movements allow him to shake Defenders and create something out of nothing every time he touches the puck. Plan is watching Seamus quarterback the power play for Michigan in the future. Most players with the skill set of Seamus don’t have the desire to defend as hard as he does away from the puck, and that’s what excites me most about him. He is equally as dangerous while Defending the Rush and Killing plays in the defensive zone because his skating is so elite.

The Wolverines, coming off a Frozen Four appearance in 2021-22, have had eight players selected in the top 50 picks in the past two drafts.