Will Horcoff (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff, Will Horcoff, was playing with the United States National Development Program (USNDP) last year this time. He then received a phone call on Christmas Eve that changed the direction of his career.
The younger Horcoff made the rare decision to make the jump to the NCAA early as a true freshman mid-season, a decision that not only catapulted him up the draft lists in 2025 but also helped him reach new heights in terms of his development.
“It was December 24th, and coach (Brandon) Naurato called me to tell me about the opportunity to come to Michigan early,” explained Horcoff about making the jump early to the NCAA. “At the time, I thought about it really hard, and I believed that it was the best move for my development; and I’m glad I did.”
In going to the NCAA early, he was able to take advantage of the reduced schedules, high-end installations, and get a head start on his college career. He put up an impressive four goals and 10 points in 18 games as a true freshman on a young Michigan roster.
His decision led Horcoff to a meteoric rise up the draft boards of various NHL teams, ultimately getting selected at 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2025 NHL Draft.
But the 18-year-old didn’t sit on his victories; he wanted to take advantage of his newfound build, after having shot up five inches over the last two years. He hit the gym as hard as he could all summer and is already weighing in at nearly 205 pounds.
The increase in experience and especially power has really helped him play his power forward style in the NCAA, a league he currently co-leads in scoring with 26 points in 18 games alongside linemate and Montreal Canadiens 1st-rounder, Michael Hage.
“I just think this year I was able to add a lot to my frame. The past few years I grew a lot in terms of height and my body needed to catch up,” said Horcoff. “I had a pretty big summer, even with the NHL Draft, to spend time in the gym and get stronger.”
A Student of the Game
One of the biggest differences in Horcoff’s game this year, on top of being a physical presence, has been his goalscoring ability. Jumping from four goals in 18 games last season as a true freshman to 18 goals in 18 games as a sophomore 18-year-old is a significant jump in production that is rarely seen in college hockey.
But it was all by design for Horcoff, who spent a lot of time on Michigan University’s InStat account going through shifts of the NHL’s most lethal goal-scorers to better understand their shooting mechanics in order to optimize his own.
“I’ve been watching the best goalscorers in the league like (David) Pastrnak, (Sam) Reinhart and (Leon) Draisaitl. I like to go on InStat and watch clips of them,” detailed Horcoff when it comes to how he’s improved his shot over time.“The biggest tendency they have is how quick they get the puck off (when they shoot).”
Michigan University offers their players a subscription to InStat for them to go over player shifts and improve on their own; encouraging them to bring these clips and observations to practice.
Horcoff took full advantage of this extra ressource and proceeded to rebuild his on-ice hip rotation, his release timing, footwork and stick placement; all of which, combined with the added weight, now make him the most lethal snipers in the NCAA.
“Most of my goals this year, I’ve beaten the goalie with quickness — be it a one-timer or a quick wrister,” added Horcoff. “My one-timer, I broke down Draisaitl’s one-timer; especially on the power play. I broke it down looking at his hip rotation, where his stick is, and I try to model that. I think it’s been pretty successful so far.”
It also doesn’t hurt having a former 39-goal scorer in the form of Max Pacioretty as your coach to help improve as a power forward. The former Montreal Canadiens captain retired from the NHL this season and has joined the Michigan Wolverines coaching staff full-time.
Horcoff has leaned on him heavily this season.
“He’s been unbelievable. To be able to learn from him has been an absolute honor,” said Horcoff. “He’s someone I watched a lot growing up, so it’s super cool to be on the ice with him.”
The stylistic similarities between the two is pretty evident, and the Michigan alum has taken the time to work with Horcoff on the ice, off the ice, and even in the video room to help him improve his efficacy in puck protection and as a net-front presence.
It’s invaluable experience being passed down to the next generation of Michigan Wolverines.
“I think we kind of have a similar style. He was a bigger guy, a goal-scorer type that protected pucks well and was really good around the net, added Horcoff. “I ask him a lot of questions on how to be more effective that way and he’s done a great job with us at practice, and we’ve done a couple of video sessions with him too. We’re very grateful to have him.”
Due to his exceptional season, Horcoff will be relied upon heavily by Team USA for the upcoming World Junior Championships, as the Americans look to three-peat at the event.
Beyond the obvious push to win a gold medal, the young forward is just proud to be able to represent his country.
“It means everything to me. Anything you get the call to represent your country, it’s an absolute honor,” said Horcoff on being named to Team USA’s preliminary roster for the World Juniors. “I try to do it with pride. We have a really talented group and I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Relationship With Michael Hage
Although Will Horcoff is having an impressive sophomore year, he remains humble in recognizing that his success would be impossible without the impact of his teammates.
“I also think our team is super deep this year. I play with a bunch of great guys. But Michael Hage and Nick Moldenhauer specifically, they do an incredible job of working hard, turning pucks over and being able to find me in the offensive zone,” said Horcoff. “I wouldn’t be able to do it with them.”
Horcoff and Michael Hage have quickly formed one of the most deadly duos in college hockey, along with Plante Brothers Max and Zam. The pair co-lead the NCAA with 26 points in 18 games and play on a line together at even strength, while terrorizing the opposition together on the power play.
The chemistry between the two jumps out at you when you watch the Wolverines play. Hage, the puck-moving, playmaking centre and Horcoff, the goal-scoring, power-forward feed off eachother quite well.
“They do a great job of being able to handle the defensive side of the puck and in transition and I’m strong in my O-zone routing; getting to the soft area of the ice. Hage is really good at finding me there at the perfect moment. It’s so much fun to play with him.”
But the true secret to their chemistry is their off-ice friendship that’s developed over the last year.
“We live together and we’re really good friends, and that helps us on the ice as well. In playing together over time, we now completely trust each other and we know exactly where the other will be,” said Horcoff. “We know what our tendencies are, and he’s so smart with the puck that I feel we do a really good job playing together.”
Their offensive contributions have helped propel the Michigan Wolverines to the top of the NCAA Division 1 PairWise Rankings, positioning them well for a potential run at an NCAA Championship this upcoming spring.
Steel Town Views
Despite all the hype that continues to grow around him, and the expectations that are rising in Pittsburgh, the young forward tries his best to keep his feet on the ground.
The prospect of one day playing in the NHL and pulling a jersey made famous by the likes of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby, and more comes with a lot of pressure.
But Horcoff remains adamant that he doesn’t feel any pressure to live up to the hype, choosing to simply go step by step until he can earn his spot at each level.
“There’s no pressure at all. I didn’t really feel pressure for the draft and stuff like that – the draft is just one step in a really long process. I know I just need to make the most of each day and work to get to where I want. I want to maximize my potential, I tune everything else out,” said Horcoff.
When it comes to his NHL future, his instant success in the NCAA, coupled with the rejuvenated Penguins, many fans are wondering – nay hoping – that he’ll make the jump to the big show by season’s end.
As attractive as that may be, Horcoff doesn’t want to rush the process. He wants to win an NCAA championship first and foremost, and then will reevaluate with his clan at the end of the season as to whether to sign his entry-level contract or return to Michigan for another season.
“I have to be honest, my future (in the NHL) is not something I want to think about until the end of the season. I’m not in a rush to get out of here. I’ll talk to my advisors and my parents, and when everyone thinks I’m ready, including the Penguins, I’ll make the jump.”
But make no mistake, Horcoff sees himself with the Penguins for the long haul. From the moment he heard his name called in Los Angeles by the Penguins, he was excited to get going.
He then received a text from Crosby that made his day, only to cross paths with him a few days later at development camp. The future Hall of Famer left a pretty strong impression on Horcoff, not because of his flash or gravitas, but more due to his quiet, yet commanding aura.
“Crosby texted me when I was drafted, which was super cool,” added Horcoff. “And I got to talk to him a bit at Development Camp this summer. It was crazy to see how hard he worked on and off the ice. He was in the gym by himself and then would jump on the ice by himself. He’s such a special player.”
As the Penguins continue to reset their roster on the fly and maximize the final years of Crosby, Kris Letang, and the like, Horcoff will be a big part in ensuring a smooth transition for the next generation.
His head may not be there just yet, but every day he improves brings him a step closer to achieving that outcome. It’s simply just a question of discipline and commitment to improvement; two things you can take to the bank when it comes to Will Horcoff.