CRANBERRY TWP. (93.7 The Fan) – Will Horcoff had a big second year at Michigan, 39 points with 25 goals, but tailed off a bit at the end. We found out a big reason for that as the Pens first-round pick talked to Pittsburgh reporters at the team’s development camp.
Horcoff is not participating at the week-long practices at the UPMC Lemieux facility after having right shoulder injury to start his offseason. Where this ties together is that Horcoff’s injury happened in December last year, and he just played through it to help the team.
He didn’t use it as an excuse, he said its part of the game. He said his teammates helped him through it and he also said he learned how to play more of a 200-foot camp and focusing on improvements defensively.
Weight gain
From his shortened first season of 18 games and 10 points, Horcoff put on weight as a sophomore and the numbers jumped even with the injury.
“It was very different,” Horcoff said. “That summer in-between (freshman and sophomore) I definitely put on a lot more weight (estimates around 15 pounds). My first half-year I was there, I looked like a baby deer out there.”
Horcoff’s confidence is high, but 6’5”, 205-pounder winger plans to return to the University of Michigan. The thought as of now is to not to try to make the Pens team or play in the AHL in 2026-27.
“I just think for my development it’s the best decision,” Horcoff said. “A lot of the guys on that Michigan team are going back as well and I think we have something to prove. Obviously coming up short last year, we are super-hungry for a national championship.”
Horcoff adds he feels he could use another year of work before trying to compete at the highest level, especially after taking three months off.
Eddie Van Horcoff
In his spare time, Horcoff has learned to play the guitar. He said when he was asked what he wanted for Christmas last year he wasn’t sure, always liked music. So he asked for, and received, an electric guitar.
He’s not going in lightly.
“I can play some Van Halen ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’, some Metallica too,” Horcoff said. “My dad wants me to play some Red Hot Chili Peppers. I got to learn some of those.”
LISTEN to what Will Horcoff said of his development, shoulder surgery
LISTEN to what Will Horcoff said of his development, shoulder surgery
