The Michigan | SC Featured

In 1996, University of Michigan ice hockey player Mike Legg pulled off what was described as a “lacrosse-style” goal in an NCAA playoff game. But, for as quickly as the never-before-seen motion burst onto the scene, it disappeared until 2019 when Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov executed the move in a game. Players began rushing to develop the technique, which has now become a legitimate scoring threat used by pros and youth players alike.
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[@cmarcin]

Good on Legg for giving Billy Armstrong credit immediately

[@kristinesgreencuisine5378]

Mike is literally the best coach and all round nicest guy. Amazing

[@OwlRTA]

Mikael Granlund deserves some credit for putting the Michigan back into the public spotlight in 2011 during the World Championships against Russia

[@404MULTIFAIL]

I bet that's where Svechnikov got the idea.

[@OwlRTA]

@@404MULTIFAIL He actually said that he first saw the move done when Granlund did it, and his brother, Evgeny, taught him the move. Andrei must've been watching this game live on TV as an 11-year-old in awe of the move.

[@brandonmader2068]

@@404MULTIFAILg CNN I

[@dankorn]

Ah, brings back great memories of the great '90s Michigan Hockey teams. I was at the "Michigan goal" game at Munn. That goal by Legger turned the game around and put us on the path to the title in Cincy. (I was there too!) I also remember a legendary four goal game by Legg at Yost Ice Arena. Go Blue!

[@1stVARifleman]

Go Blue!

[@kathylegg1033]

We were there as well...amazing!! Get memories!

[@porcelainpanelpro]

I wasn’t there but remember it growing up near Lansing. And then,to be living near Raleigh makes it even weirder. Like I am the butterfly effect for the goals

[@mdavis3]

Svechy!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥#LetsGoCanes

[@maroinmybones]

As a Michigan native, that 96 Team was special.......Goosebumps, miss those days.

[@asherbraski5140]

Mike legg, an amazing coach and person in the community! Amazing as the move is, it’s only a small part of what makes him special. Thanks legger!

[@kathylegg1033]

Thank you for saying that...

[@Constitutionalist76]

I'll never forget finding this gem on Limewire, waaaaaay before youtube gave us instant access to videos. Was amazing to see. Stay safe Mike.

[@0xSpiff]

I was a student at Minnesota at the time and watched this goal live. Still gutted about this game after all these years lol

[@marcmaza2821]

Been trying to pull this off at my adult league! 😆 just need that right now moment

[@toesly]

This was a great piece of content. Thank you

[@colin6192]

Not to brag, but I pulled off a Michigan goal during a spring hockey game before Mike Legg. Back in the late 80’s early 90’s all the kids were trying to pick the puck up. The Michigan just seemed like the natural thing to do when you picked it up on your stick behind the net. But props to Mike for pulling it off on the National stage during high stakes. Legendary stuff.

[@mkaz4232]

Look up Rob schemp he was doing crazy lacrosse goals in the early 2000s never got much recognition

[@georgemichaelofficial]

Why am I crying this is so sick

[@joelvinson]

This was so heartwarming. Love it.

[@kasmatt]

Great video!

[@innercityprepper]

There are things like it in other sports. The "Cruyff Turn" for example in soccer. There's also something that nobody really did in basketball, the "slam dunk" that now is an everyday occurrance.

[@jhatgotagat300]

The kids doing it’s the best part it’s like seeing a kid hit for the cycle in a 13u game it’s just ridiculous!

[@jrstnkpnts3232]

Max McCue pulled one off in the OHL finals this year when they were up 7-0

[@hroman_codes]

Amazing!

[@adammckenzie6074]

This was so much better when hardly anyone could do it

[@J.G.Wentworth69420]

Around 5:59 Ole Sergei Svechnikov, really?

[@21sled]

Old*

[@J.G.Wentworth69420]

​@@21sledAndrei*

[@moosejaw99]

Should be called a Legger.

[@spiritboxyxbox]

That sounds so stupid lol

[@JDonzsabres10]

SC Featured needs to revist the Air Gait, that pioneered the idea of the Michigan move into Hockey

[@ryannickles3218]

The only comparable skills I can think of are the maradonna, bicycle kick, and elastico in soccer. Each of which have lasted across decades and dazzled millions.

[@IceBat14]

Don't forget Sid pulled this off in Rimouski as well

[@CanadianCookinginUSA_Eh]

Great video! ❤❤ 🏒🥅

[@PeenWienerstien]

The closest analogy to this in a nother sport would be happy gilmore, but thats just a movie... 😂

[@timh4560]

thing is a guy from the windsor spits did it a few days prior. was all over the detroit news. then.....bam 'the michigan' goal.

[@rjhaney2614]

Great piece, but how do you not show Nela in this feature? It's her header picture on EliteProspects. Anyway, let's go Canes, call it the Svech if you want to. Great job, ESPN.

[@Lenny_Hansen]

Gotta do Marek Malik’s shootout goal next!

[@leeleeleelee420]

Saw that live on TV and the celly is also a classic!

[@kathylegg1033]

That was even more amazing..Mike used an old random hockey stick found at the rink..picked the puck up and fired it thru a 5" wide slot from the far end hash marks...scoro!! Unbelievable!!!

[@MD76MAC]

As long as it's below the crossbar it's good.

[@toddm9501]

The Michigan What? State? Interstate system? Tax Attorney? Department of Welfare?

[@miketitus3592]

#GoBlue

[@Cheebaroni812-kx5yt]

It’s called the Michigan because the next day every hockey fan was saying “did you see that Michigan goal !?”

[@BigVuVu]

5:59 Sergei Svechnikov? to be the first ever to do this and to not know the name of a guy who did it first in NHL, embarrassing

[@chadguo9907]

The Svechnikov!!! 🥍🥍🥍

[@phcavi]

Whenever you can pull it of, it means defense is doing a bad job.

[@_JamesBrown]

Or the goalie might have something to do with it

[@blakedesautels1661]

tyson, jay, lookin good gents!

[@ianross806]

I would say Bobby Hull and Boom Boom Geoffrion's use of the "slapshot" has been more influential.

[@Slowlyoptomistic]

And now goalies across the world have to deal with getting smacked with sticks in the face from dudes trying this in beer league badly

[@philh2453]

What happened was 23 years of d men rocking anyone trying to score showboat goals, you weren't scoring one of those on us a second time

[@croweater1]

It should really be called “The Legg”

[@dantar3251]

This style of goal needs to be made illegal it can’t be defended if the defense slashes at the stick to knock the puck off they be called for slashing. I am not saying it not creative but its got to go I bet most nhlers have the ability to do it

[@spooley]

Boomers be like Oh sure, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye!

[@SlavaSesh]

Here's hoping the NHL bans this gimmicky shit soon. This isn't hockey, it's lacrosse. Keep it on the ice.

[@bauerj3398]

OK, Boomer.

[@danielnuttall6964]

It’s called the Svechnikov

[@bob-xm7ny]

If you can't carry the puck in your hand you shouldn't be able to carry the puck on your stick. This garbage ruins the game.

[@CabeBooth]

With all due respect, it's not easy and it's not carrying it on top of your stick. It's finesse and centrifugal force the same things you use to shoot a slap shot along with an initial backhand to forehand to throw everyone off from the blue line. And it's not like it's that prevalent. If people could do it at will? We'd see it more often. It's a stretch to say it's like picking up the puck skating to the crease and throwing it in the net. Or even catching it by the goal and throwing it in the net. Or even swatting it with your hand into the goal. First off you can't score with your hand. There's a rule against it. You can't close your hand on the puck especially to throw it or drop it somewhere advantageous. So basically they just said you can't close your hand on the puck no matter what you're going to do with it unless you're the goaltender. If this trick involved some sort of way of wrapping your stick where the adhesive from the tape somehow allowed you just enough grip to make the puck clean for a half a second to get that whipping motion that keeps it held against the stick ? I would definitely have a problem with that. I remember goaltenders getting bigger and bigger pads in the late nineties where Patrick Roy ( who was already a big guy and talented goaltender) if he stacked his pads they took up the lower half of the net? I remember people started just using him as a rebound wall. They had picked a spot they knew would come back at them and then get the rebound. And I don't want anything to get into Matthew Barnaby. Doing ridiculous things and saying "well there's no rule against it.". That's because there shouldn't have to be. I agree with you there's a lot of things that can ruin the game just because there's not a rule. But I don't see this play as being anything other than finesse in golf putting a bender on a soccer ball? And don't get me started on billiards and trick shots. If you're brave enough to try it. Good luck. What I want is a compilation of failed Michigan or lacrosse shots. They always show the ones that succeed

[@bob-xm7ny]

@@CabeBooth first, every bantam can do it, it's not something only pavel datsyuk can do. Second, it's fine for the all star game. But for real hockey this is not in the spirit of the sport and adds no value to the game.

[@keirpatrick3045]

incredible goal but it's losing its flare. It's overused now and if it was only done like once a year it would be legendary

[@johnsambo9379]

Stop crying like a baby.

[@CxrsonYo]

Should be called the “Svech” or “Svechnikov”, and not the Michigan. Sure, Michigan is where it was first done, but Svech had the first 2 in the league and another one recently. Time to rename it for god sakes.

[@Alex-zi1nb]

if you think leg was the first one to do it youre insane

[@JDAMC]

It's the Michigan. Always has been. Why not rename the snap shot while your at it.

[@CxrsonYo]

@@JDAMC Alright buddy.

[@frankytanky5076]

This has been called a lacrosse goal in Canada way before it was done by svech or in Michigan.

[@CxrsonYo]

@@frankytanky5076 regardless

[@phcavi]

It is called airhook and not an American invention.

[@johnsambo9379]

Stop crying.

[@mikeyc4467]

Cringe