When he first arrived in Ann Arbor as a freshman, Philippe Lapointe was wide-eyed and hopeful for the future of the Michigan State hockey team. However, his seniors at the time did not have the same feelings. They had just gone through a year of COVID-19, endured no fans at Yost Ice Arena, and experienced a culture change within their program.
But perhaps those seniors had Lapointe-like optimism. Now a senior, Lapointe has dealt with COVID-19, a complete staff shakeup, two Big Ten Championships, and now his third straight season starring in Frozen 4. I have experienced it.
Lapointe has been through it all. And not only did he choose to ride out the Wolverines' storm of turmoil, he grew as a player and a leader in the process.
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Lapointe grew up in a hockey family. His father, Martin Lapointe, won two Stanley Cups and had a 14-year career in the NHL. Martin led the family and all three of his boys from La Pointe developed a love for hockey. Guyot played his two years of club hockey at the University of Michigan and then went on a different path in his academic and professional career. Noah currently plays in the National Training and Development Program and is committed to Arizona State University as a member of the Class of 2029.
Despite the brothers' relatively easy path, Phillip has had an unconventional hockey career to say the least. He didn't grow up as the strongest skater or the best player on the roster, but his determination and dedication to the team led him to where he is now. One month after graduation, he will join the ranks of the new Frozen characters.
The culmination of his unconventional journey came during his days playing junior hockey on junior teams in the United States and Canada, wearing three different sweaters.
“I left Shattuck (St. Mary's Prep) and went to Lincoln (Stars) and spent a year there,” Phillip told The Michigan Daily. “I took a gap year and the team wasn't doing well. … So I got traded to Central Illinois and spent the second half of the year there with a good team. After that season, We realized the team was falling apart. So I was put in the dispersion draft and going into my third year as a junior…I thought it was the best opportunity to go to the (British Columbia Hockey League). felt.”
When Phillip's junior playing career ended, he visited Guyot at the University of Michigan to see if it was a good fit. Guyot was the first Lapointe to commit to college, and with the Wolverines scouting Phillip, it felt like a full-circle moment for him to go to Michigan. So when the Wolverines showed interest in Philippe, he showed it right away.
Even after moving on to a new chapter in his life, things continued to fluctuate for Philip. He was elated to play for the Wolverines during his freshman season, a sentiment not shared by Michigan's returning skaters. He finished the season with a 15-10-1 record, and morale was low for the Wolverines, who played without fans at home and away.
“When you first come here, you don't know what to expect as a new student,” Philip said. “So when (the freshmen) got here, all the seniors were still trying to start the season with COVID. And the seniors were all like, 'Oh, this sucks, this sucks, there's no way Yost won't have fans.' That's what he said. However, our freshman class was still amazed and in awe of this place. ”
Under the guidance of former coach Mel Pearson, Phillippe's role on the roster was never fully communicated to him. In a class comprised of current NHL players such as Owen Power, Matty Beniers, and Kent Johnson, Phillip did not see the ice often, scoring two points in 13 games his freshman year. .
After struggling in his first season, Michigan turned things around in his second season, boasting a Big Ten Championship and a Frozen 4 berth.
However, Philip was unable to play. Despite his team's success, he was disqualified from the postseason and was unable to contribute on the ice in the biggest games of the season.
But the lack of identity within the team didn't keep him away from the program. He realized he needed to step up in a different way. He needed to be a voice in the locker room that people would listen to, if the coaching staff would let him.
Heading into his junior season, the University of Michigan fired Pearson and then-assistant coach Brandon Nowrat assumed the role of interim head coach. And from the point where Naurat became captain, Philip finally had the opportunity to step into and create his role within the team.
“With the coaching staff he has now, he knows where he stands,” Martin told the Daily. “They're really honest with him and he appreciates that too. He's not left in the dark. When you're left in the dark, what's going on? I don't know. As a young kid, it's hard to get over that. But as for Naurat, he's found a good place and they're really honest with each other and that's what he wants. ”
Philip has seen his entire career and program. Due to COVID-19 and staff changes, he was only one of three in the class who stayed from his freshman year to his senior season. However, under Naurat's leadership, Phillip's place on the roster grew, especially through his senior season.
Prior to his senior season, the University of Michigan recognized Phillip's leadership and named him his replacement captain. And under the quiet leadership of captain and senior defenseman Jacob Truscott, Phillip was given the big responsibility of delivering a rousing speech before the game while on the ice.
The whole team linked arms and formed a circle, and in the middle of it all, Phillip shouted in his heart. He provides the energy the Wolverines need to defeat their opponents.
And Phillip thinks his speech at the NCAA regional tournament in St. Louis especially resonated with his team, even if he can't remember what he said.
“I don't even remember what I said,” Philip said. “A lot of times it's just a whim, something you think about in the moment. Guys react how they want, but (in St. Louis) I felt like they really liked what I had to say. I do. As long as they can eat it, that's what I love. I love bringing smiles to men and cheering them up.”
Filip's leadership on the ice is evident. But over the last two years, especially during Naurat's tenure, his on-ice role has also solidified. A permanent fixture on the fourth line, Philippe provides tough checks as an enforcer and works with his linemates to mitigate the opponent's offensive pushes. And as his senior season progressed, so did his line identity.
What makes Philippe's role within the program unique is his persistence despite controversy and lack of time on the ice. He never wanted to transfer. He wasn't thinking about anything but himself and the betterment of the program. And his loyalty and dedication have brought him tangible results.
And he not only witnessed it, he helped create the positive change he had hoped for when he first set foot in Yost.
