Eight players currently on the Detroit and Columbus rosters played at Michigan, four on each team. The Red Wings have Compher, Larkin, Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte. The Blue Jackets have Adam Fantilli, Jack Johnson, Kent Johnson and Zach Werenski.
Copp and Jack Johnson grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the University of Michigan is located. Copp played high school football. Jack Johnson is the brother-in-law of A.J. Hawk, who was a star linebacker at Ohio State, and called Michigan-Ohio State the “best rivalry in sports.”
“It’s going to be a really special thing to play a game there in an iconic stadium,” Jack Johnson said. “Whether you’re an Ohio State fan or not, it’s pretty cool.”
Werenski experienced the Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 26, 2022, when the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes 45-23 before 106,787.
“It’s a great venue,” said Werenski, laughing. “I hate saying that, but it is. I mean, you can’t deny it, right? It’s an awesome place to watch an event. I’m excited. That’s one of the historic venues in college football. It’s going to be awesome.
“As much as we love Michigan and the Big House and all that stuff, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The atmosphere is pretty incredible. I’m excited to see what it’s like for a hockey game.”
Michigan won the 2023 national football championship, and “The Team Up North” has won the past four editions of “The Game.” After the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory before 106,005 at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 30, there was an altercation at midfield, right where the rink will be Saturday.
But Ohio State went on to win the 2024 national football championship.
That should give the Stadium Series another little subplot. In the Blue Jackets’ first outdoor game, the home team will wear blue and the road team red — the opposite of a Michigan-Ohio State game at the Horseshoe.
“It’s going to be a great event,” Larkin said. “I’ve never been to the Horseshoe, and especially with what happened this year with Michigan and the whole thing after the game … That was interesting. And credit to Ohio State winning the national championship. Their fans are excited. The last two national champions, it’s pretty cool. It’s a cool story.”
