With high expectations, MSU hockey looks to build on its success from last years campaign

The Michigan State hockey team is heading into year three of the Adam Nightingale era after another historic season. The team has trained in Munn Ice Arena since July 1, and this seasons players are eager to hit the ice. 

The Spartans won the Big Ten regular season and postseason titles last year, however their season ended in the NCAA tournament regional finals against none other than the Michigan Wolverines. This year, the team is ranked first in the conference and fourth in the USCHO preseason polls. Expectations are high for MSU after last season, but this squad keeps their heads down and continues to focus on their game.

“Our approach has always been to worry about the things we can control,” Nightingale said. “We are tuning out all the noise. We want things that have substance and all that matters is we get better every day.”

MSU returns 17 skaters and welcomes nine new players – six freshmen and three transfers. Last season the Spartans had a very young roster, dominated by underclassmen, who have gone through a winning season. The returning players come back to East Lansing knowing what it takes to get to the top and can use that to help the new members of the team, all with varying experiences. 

Junior forward Charlie Stramel transferred to Michigan State from conference opponent Wisconsin. The Minnesota Wild first-round draft pick felt he wasn’t finding the growth he needed in Madison and was ready for a change. Stramel, who played for coach Nightingale with the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP), said that the culture Nightingale has built in East Lansing played a large part in his decision to transfer. 

“I didn’t have the two seasons I wanted to have at Wisconsin overall personally, and I think sometimes you need a fresh start and to come here was kind of a no-brainer,” Stramel said. “With the culture and everything they’re building here over the past few years, that’s where I want to be.”

As for the skilled rookies joining the team, freshman forward Shane Vansaghi is familiar with last year’s team and Munn. Vansaghi comes from the USNTDP and played at Munn last year in the yearly exhibition matchup between the teams. The 17-year-old may be the youngest on the team, but has valuable experience with Team USA and is in the top 50 of many prospect rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft. Vansaghi said that experience at Munn expedited his excitement to be a Spartan after playing MSU last January.

“I’ve been itching to get back,” Vansaghi said. “There is only so much you can do when you’re not playing games.”

Player leadership has largely formed the positive culture within the team  Senior forward Red Savage was dubbed captain for the upcoming season. Juniors Karsen Dorwart and Matt Basgal are reprising their roles as assistant captains, with Junior Tiernan Shoudy joining them in those roles.  Nightingale credited Savage with being a genuine guy and believing in his leadership abilities.

“Being the captain is an honor,” Savage said. “It’s humbling to have the coaching staff and the other players behind you. It’s something I don’t take lightly and have been working towards for a long time now.”

Michigan State knows its expectations coming into this season, but even after the success of last year’s campaign, there’s still one ultimate goal for the team. They will continue to build upon their successes without straying from team values. 

“I think the preseason stuff is hard because a lot of it is based on last year and so much can change,” Shoudy said. “[We are] not really worrying about that stuff and just trying to keep our heads down, because ultimately we didn’t win the national championship and that’s the main goal.”

This team is putting last season in the rearview and focusing on the upcoming year. A new season brings new opportunities to grow and develop individually and as a group. According to Nightingale, multiple players had offers to go pro and sign contracts, but they chose to come back to Michigan State, feeling their work was not yet done. 

“I think a big thing was just how the season ended. It left a bad taste in my mouth,” Dorwart said. “I think I have a lot left to prove here before I move on so I wanted to finish what we started last year.”

Nightingale has always preached player development and when talking to every player on the team, it is clear that each player has bought into the culture. They know they can continue growing in East Lansing and the most important thing is their growth as players. Whether it’s on the ice, in the weight room, or their personal lives, this coaching staff continues to push their players to be the best versions of themselves.

“Each guy has an individual development plan to try to help them play to their identity as a player,” Nightingale said. “That’s something we don’t take lightly.”

A long preseason has led up to the first puck drop of the season, just about a week away. The Spartan’s first game will be on the road at Lake Superior State on Oct. 4 and 5. Their home opener will be a ranked matchup against the Boston College Eagles on Oct. 11 and 12.

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