Naurato shared great insights into this first year of coaching at the University of Michigan during his TCS Live presentation.

There’s nothing better than the atmosphere at Yost Ice Arena during a home game. The Children of Yost fill the stands of the historic rink, cheering on their favorite players as the Wolverines race onto the ice.

Behind the bench is the University of Michigan’s Head Coach Brandon Naurato, who led the team to a Big 10 Tournament championship before competing in the Frozen Four this past season. At TCS Live 2023, Naurato presented on “Burning Issues Faced By Coaches,” after which he was ask follow-up questions to reflect on his first year at Michigan.

Naurato describes his coaching style as relationship-focused, as there’s much more to coaching than what is shown on the ice. The Michigan team is home to some of the best talent in the country, and many are drafted to the NHL early on in their careers. When asked about how he mentors players through the media attention that comes with being drafted, Naurato emphasized that whether it’s posted online or what they show on the ice, players have to be true to themselves. “They’ve got to make sure that what they put out is what they’re about,” said Naurato. He shared that it’s important to focus on the person before the player when building strong relationships with his team.

Many players at Michigan face the decision of how long to play in the NCAA before leaving to pursue their dream of playing in the NHL. Some sign their contracts halfway through their college careers, and Naurato helps guide them through this process, giving the player endless support regardless of their final decision. Naurato believes each player holds their own individual path, and he is proud of his players no matter where they skate. “If a player leaves I’ll give him a big hug, and if he stays I’ll give him a big hug,” Naurato said.

With such an elite roster of players, the 2022-2023 season looks bright for Naurato and the team. There’s lots to look forward to for the Michigan hockey program, but what Naurato is most excited about happens both on and off the ice. “I’m excited for another year with their style of play and another year of the guys developing relationships and growing together through success and failure.”