2025–26 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season

2025–26 Michigan State Spartans
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceBig Ten
Home iceMunn Ice Arena
Rankings
USCHO#3
USA Hockey#3
Record
Overall12–4–0
Conference5–3–0
Home5–4–0
Road7–0–0
Neutral0–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachAdam Nightingale
Assistant coachesJared DeMichiel
Mike Towns
Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey seasons
« 2024–25 2026–27 »

The 2025–26 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season is the 84th season of play for the program and 35th in the Big Ten. The Spartans represent Michigan State University in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, play their home games at the Munn Ice Arena and are coached by Adam Nightingale in his fourth season.

Offseason

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Nicklas Andrews Defenseman  United States Graduation (signed with Toledo Walleye)
Mikey DeAngelo Forward  United States Transferred to Massachusetts
Luca Di Pasquo Goaltender  United States Transferred to Minnesota
Karsen Dorwart Forward  United States Signed professional contract (Philadelphia Flyers)
David Gucciardi Defenseman  Canada Signed professional contract (Washington Capitals)
Isaac Howard Forward  United States Signed professional contract (Edmonton Oilers)
Tanner Kelly Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Toledo Walleye)
Joey Larson Forward  United States Signed professional contract (New York Islanders)
Vladislav Lukashevich Defenseman  Russia Transferred to Miami
Kaden Nelson Forward  United States Transferred to Oklahoma State
Austin Oravetz Defenseman  United States Transferred to Merrimack
Red Savage Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Rochester Americans)

Recruiting and incoming transfers

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Austin Baker Forward  United States 19 White Lake Township, MI; selected 203rd overall in 2024
Sean Barnhill Defenseman  United States 18 Scottsdale, AZ; selected 70th overall in 2025
Cole Burke Forward  United States 21 Trenton, MI
Matt Lahey Defenseman  Canada 19 Victoria, BC; selected 200th overall in 2024
Ryker Lee Forward  United States 18 Wilmette, IL; selected 26th overall in 2025
Cayden Lindstrom Forward  Canada 19 Chetwynd, BC; selected 4th overall in 2024
Porter Martone Forward  Canada 18 Peterborough, ON; selected 6th overall in 2025
Eric Nilson Forward  Sweden 18 Calgary, AB; selected 45th overall in 2025
Colin Ralph Defenseman  United States 19 Maple Grove, MN; transfer from St. Cloud State; selected 48th overall in 2024
Anthony Romani Forward  Canada 20 Pickering, ON; selected 162nd overall in 2024
Travis Shoudy Defenseman  United States 23 Marysville, MI; transfer from Ferris State
Melvin Strahl Goaltender  Sweden 20 Sollefteå, SWE; selected 156th overall in 2023
Cole Ward Defenseman  United States 19 Rochester Hills, MI

Season summary

Exhibition

The Spartans were ranked No. 3 in the preseason polls and received several first place votes in each poll. The Spartans played an exhibition game against Windsor on October 3, 2025. The Spartans won the game 4–0. Four different MSU player scored a goal while Trey Augustine and Melvin Strahl combined to hold Windsor scoreless.

Regular season

New Hampshire

MSU began the regular season welcoming New Hampshire to Munn Arena on October 9 and 10 as the consensus No. 2 team in the country. In game one against the Wildcats, the Spartans fell behind 2–1 early in the second period before Charlie Stramel tied the game with just under eight minutes remaining the period. The Wildcats retook the lead on a power play goal in the third before the Spartans tied it with a goal by Tommi Männistö with less than four minutes left in regulation. However, the Wildcats put in a rebound past Trey Augustine with 5.2 seconds left in the game to shock the Spartans 4–3.[1] In game two, neither team scored in the first before Matt Basgall scored to give the Spartans a 1–0 lead in the second. Patrick Geary added a goal in the third as Augustine shut out the Wildcats 2–0.[2]

Boston University

The following week, the Spartans, now ranked No. 3, travelled to face No. 1-ranked Boston University. MSU struck early taking a two-goal lead on a power play goal by Stramel and a short-handed goal two minutes later by Eric Nilson. Following a Terriers power play goal later in the first, the Spartans stretched the lead back to two with a goal with less than five minutes left in the period. Following a scoreless second, Michigan State took a three-goal lead less than two minutes into the third. A BU power play goal with a minute left narrowed the lead to 4–2, but MSU held on for the win.[3] In game two against the Terriers, MSU again took a 2–0 lead through two periods. After BU scored less than three minutes into the third, Männistö added his second goal of the season just 39 seconds later to push the lead to 3–1. However, the Terriers mounted a furious comeback, scoring a short-handed goal with less than seven minutes left in the third and tying the game at 15:02 of the third. In overtime, Basgall notched in the winning goal after a Terrier shot was stopped by Shane Vansgahi just short of crossing the goal line to give MSU the 4–3 win.[4]

Northern Michigan

Following the sweep of No. 1 BU, the Spartans moved to No. 1 the following week.[5]

The Spartans travelled to face Northern Michigan on October 24 and 25. In game one, the Spartans shut out the Wildcats 4–0. Maxim Strbák had two assists in the game while four different Spartans notched a goal in the win.[6] In game two, MSU won again, beating NMU 6–2. Tommi Männistö scored two goals in the game as the Spartans earned the sweep over Northern Michigan.[7]

Penn State

After an off week, the Spartans, still ranked No. 1 in the country, faced No. 3-ranked Penn State at Munn Arena on November 7 and 8. In game one, Anthony Romani gave the Spartans the lead 17 minutes in. However, the Nittany Lions tied it in the second, beating Trey Augustine on a deflected shot. Going to overtime, Tiernan Shoudy scored the game winner as MSU won 2–1.[8] In game two, the Spartans finished off the sweep, routing PSU 5–0. Augustine stopped all 36 Lion shots while Charlie Srtamel scored two goals and had two assists in the win. Daniel Russel added three assists as MSU won easily.[9]

Notre Dame

The Spartans, now unanimously the No. 1 team in both polls,[10] next traveled to face Notre Dame on November 14 and 15. In game one, Porter Martone scored two goals as the Spartans beat the Irish 4–1. Charlie Stramel and Daniel Russell each had two assists while Maxim Strbak and Ryker Lee also scored for the Spartans. With 54 second remaining in the game, senior goaltender Dolan Gilbert, a South Bend native and the team's third goalie, entered the game in his Spartan debut.[11] In game two, Lee scored 90 seconds in to give MSU the early lead. Martone scored his third goal of the weekend to push the lead to 2–0. An empty net goal gave the Spartans the 3–1 win and sweep of the Irish.[12]

Wisconsin

The Spartans returned home still the unanimous No. 1 team to face No. 7-ranked Wisconsin. In game one on November 21, the Spartans took an early 2–0 lead on goals by Daniel Russell and Porter Martone before Wisconsin scored four straight to take the lead. The Spartans narrowed the lead to 4–3 with a Ryker Lee goal, but Wisconsin added another to push the lead back to two. Despite a second goal by Martone, the Badgers held on for the 5–4 win.[13] In game two on November 22, the Spartans trailed 1–0 in the third before Martone scored his third goal of the weekend with just 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation. The Badgers completed the sweep with a goal 2:36 into overtime to win 2–1.[14]

Colgate

Following the sweep by Wisconsin, the now No. 3-ranked Spartans welcomed Colgate to Munn where they swept the Raiders, winning 5–2 and 4–1. Daniel Russell had two goals in the second game while Ryker Lee scored his second of the series. The wins moved the Spartans to 11–3–0 on the season.[15]

Michigan

The Spartans will next return to the ice to play a home-and-home series against No. 1 ranked Michigan on December 5 and 6.

Season standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL 3/SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#2 Wisconsin 10 8 2 0 2 0 0 22 49 31 16 12 2 2 71 40
#1 Michigan 10 7 3 0 1 0 0 20 41 25 20 16 4 0 96 41
#3 Michigan State 8 5 3 0 1 1 0 15 22 14 16 12 4 0 54 28
Minnesota 8 4 4 0 0 1 0 13 24 23 19 8 10 1 58 63
#9 Penn State 8 4 4 0 0 1 0 13 17 25 16 11 5 0 51 46
Ohio State 8 2 6 0 1 1 0 6 27 38 16 6 10 0 50 55
Notre Dame 8 0 8 0 0 1 0 1 13 37 16 4 11 1 45 65
Championship: March 21, 2026
† indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated December 6, 2025

Roster

As of August 28, 2025.[16]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Trey Augustine Junior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2005-02-23 South Lyon, Michigan USNTDP (USHL) DET, 41st overall 2023
2 Patrick Geary Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-02-18 Hamburg, New York Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) BUF, 172nd overall 2024
3 Sean Barnhill Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 2007-01-08 Scottsdale, Arizona Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) NYR, 70th overall 2025
4 Colin Ralph Sophomore D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 2005-10-04 Maple Grove, Minnesota St. Cloud State (NCHC) STL, 48th overall 2024
5 Travis Shoudy Senior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 2002-03-15 Marysville, Michigan Ferris State (CCHA)
6 Cole Ward Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2005-11-12 Rochester Hills, Michigan Tri-City Storm (USHL)
8 Maxim Štrbák Junior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2005-04-13 Košice, Slovakia Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) BUF, 45th overall 2023
9 Matt Basgall Senior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-16 Lake Forest, Illinois Tri-City Storm (USHL)
10 Tommi Männistö Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-02-07 Riihimäki, Finland Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
11 Owen West Sophomore D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2004-06-01 Pittsboro, Indiana Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
12 Griffin Jurecki Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2003-05-03 Grosse Ile, Michigan Omaha Lancers (USHL)
13 Tiernan Shoudy Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-03-15 St. Clair, Michigan Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
14 Matt Lahey Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 2006-07-17 Victoria, British Columbia Fargo Force (USHL)
15 Charlie Stramel Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2004-10-15 Rosemount, Minnesota Wisconsin (Big Ten) MIN, 21st overall 2023
18 Ryker Lee Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2006-11-08 Wilmette, Illinois Madison Capitols (USHL) NSH, 26th overall 2025
19 Austin Baker Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2006-02-11 White Lake Township, Michigan Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) DET, 203rd overall 2024
20 Daniel Russell Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-11-16 Traverse City, Michigan Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
21 Anthony Romani Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2005-07-12 Pickering, Ontario Barrie Colts (OHL) VAN, 162nd overall 2024
22 Porter Martone Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 2006-10-26 Peterborough, Ontario Brampton Steelheads (OHL) PHI, 6th overall 2025
23 Shane Vansaghi Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 2006-10-11 St. Louis, Missouri USNTDP (USHL) PHI, 48th overall 2025
24 Nathan Mackie Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2004-06-03 Prince George, British Columbia Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
25 Cole Burke Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-02-18 Trenton, Michigan Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)
26 Eric Nilson Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2007-05-11 Calgary, Alberta Djurgårdens IF U20 (J20 Nationell) ANA, 45th overall 2025
28 Cayden Lindstrom Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2006-02-03 Chetwynd, British Columbia Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) CBJ, 4th overall 2024
29 Gavin O'Connell Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-02-19 Wayzata, Minnesota Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
30 Dolan Gilbert Senior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2001-04-25 South Bend, Indiana Concordia (NCHA)
32 Melvin Strahl Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2005-03-18 Sollefteå, Sweden Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) CBJ, 156th overall 2023

Schedule and results

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Exhibition
October 3 6:00 pm Windsor* #3 Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (Exhibition)   Augustine W 4–0  6,555
Regular Season
October 9 7:00 pm New Hampshire* #2 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine L 3–4  6,555 0–1–0
October 10 7:30 pm New Hampshire* #2 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine W 2–0  6,555 1–1–0
October 17 6:30 pm at #1 Boston University* #3 Agganis ArenaBoston, Massachusetts ESPN2, TSN5 Augustine W 4–2  6,148 2–1–0
October 18 7:00 pm at #1 Boston University* #3 Agganis ArenaBoston, Massachusetts ESPN+ Augustine W 4–3 OT 7,033 3–1–0
October 24 7:07 pm at Northern Michigan* #1 Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan Midco Sports+ Augustine W 4–0  3,782 4–1–0
October 25 6:07 pm at Northern Michigan* #1 Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan Midco Sports+ Strahl W 6–2  3,698 5–1–0
November 7 7:00 pm #3 Penn State #1 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine W 2–1 OT 6,555 6–1–0 (1–0–0)
November 8 4:00 pm #3 Penn State #1 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine W 5–0  6,555 7–1–0 (2–0–0)
November 14 7:00 pm at Notre Dame #1 Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, Indiana Peacock Augustine W 4–1  5,243 8–1–0 (3–0–0)
November 15 6:00 pm at Notre Dame #1 Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, Indiana Peacock Augustine W 3–1  4,822 9–1–0 (4–0–0)
November 21 8:30 pm #7 Wisconsin #1 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine L 4–5  6,555 9–2–0 (4–1–0)
November 22 7:00 pm #7 Wisconsin #1 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine L 1–2 OT 6,555 9–3–0 (4–2–0)
November 26 7:00 pm Colgate* #3 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Strahl W 5–2  6,555 10–3–0
November 28 4:00 pm Colgate* #3 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan B1G+ Augustine W 4–1  6,555 11–3–0
December 5 8:30 pm #1 Michigan #3 Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (Rivalry) BTN Augustine L 0–3  6,555 11–4–0 (4–3–0)
December 6 7:00 pm at #1 Michigan #3 Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan (Rivalry) B1G+ Augustine W 3–1  5,800 12–4–0 (5–3–0)
Great Lakes Invitational
December 28 7:00 pm vs. Ferris State* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Semifinal) Midco Sports+       
December 29 TBD vs. Miami / Michigan Tech* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes) Midco Sports+       
Regular Season
January 4 TBA USNTDP* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (Exhibition)         
January 9 6:30 pm at Ohio State Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio         
January 10 5:00 pm at Ohio State Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio         
January 15 9:00 pm at Wisconsin Kohl CenterMadison, Wisconsin         
January 16 8:00 pm at Wisconsin Kohl CenterMadison, Wisconsin         
January 23 TBA Minnesota Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
January 24 6:00 pm Minnesota Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
January 31 TBA at Penn State Pegula Ice ArenaUniversity Park, Pennsylvania         
February 1 TBA at Penn State Pegula Ice ArenaUniversity Park, Pennsylvania         
February 6 7:00 pm at Michigan Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan (Rivalry)         
February 7 6:30 pm vs. Michigan Little Caesars ArenaDetroit, Michigan (Duel in the D)         
February 19 7:30 pm Notre Dame Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
February 20 5:00 pm Notre Dame Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
February 27 8:30 pm Ohio State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
February 28 8:00 pm Ohio State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan         
March 5 8:00 pm at Minnesota 3M Arena at MariucciMinneapolis, Minnesota         
March 6 8:00 pm at Minnesota 3M Arena at MariucciMinneapolis, Minnesota         
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[17]

Statistics

Scoring

(through December 4, 2025)

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Austin Baker D 9 0 1 1 15
Sean Barnhill D 14 0 3 3 8
Matt Basgall D 14 2 7 9 0
Patrick Geary D 13 1 2 3 42
Griffin Jurecki F 3 0 0 0 0
Ryker Lee F 14 6 7 13 22
Cayden Lindstrom F 9 1 1 2 10
Nathan Mackie F 7 0 0 0 2
Tommi Männistö F 14 6 4 10 2
Porter Martone F 14 10 9 19 48
Eric Nilson F 14 3 3 6 10
Gavin O'Connell F 14 1 4 5 2
Colin Ralph D 14 1 3 4 10
Anthony Romani F 14 3 5 8 0
Daniel Russell F 14 4 10 14 24
Tiernan Shoudy F 14 4 5 9 4
Travis Shoudy D 13 0 3 3 4
Charlie Stramel F 14 6 11 17 10
Maxim Strbak D 14 1 6 7 6
Shane Vansaghi F 14 1 5 6 4
Cole Ward D 6 0 0 0 17
Owen West D 10 1 3 4 4
Total 14 51 92 143 250

Source[18][19]

Goaltending

(through December 4, 2025)

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Trey Augustine 12 724:15 9 3 0 20 300 3 .938 1.66
Dolan Gilbert 1 00:54 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0.00
Melvin Strahl 2 120:00 2 0 0 4 51 0 .927 2.00
Total 14 848:47 11 3 0 24 351 3 .936 1.70

Source[19][18]

Rankings

Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Final)
USCHO.com 3 (14) 2 (11) 3 (5) 1 (29) 1 (45) 1 (42) 1 (50) 1 (50) 3 (5) 3 (3) 3 (2) 3 (1)
USA Hockey 3 (6) 2 (3) 4 (1) 1 (17) 1 (32) 1 (30) 1 (34) 1 (34) 3 3 3 3

[20]

References

  1. ^ Oszust, Owen (2025-10-10). "No. 2 Michigan State hockey drops its season opener 4-3 to New Hampshire". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  2. ^ Bondy, Robert. "Michigan State hockey shuts out New Hampshire, picks up first win of season". Spartans Wire. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  3. ^ Bott, Nathaniel. "Michigan State hockey upends No. 1 Boston University in series opener". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  4. ^ Bott, Nathaniel. "Michigan State hockey completes sweep of No. 1 Boston U. with overtime magic". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  5. ^ "Michigan State Hockey Rises to No. 1 in National Rankings". Michigan State Spartans On SI. 2025-10-21. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  6. ^ Bott, Nathaniel. "No. 1 Michigan State hockey blanks Northern Michigan in series opener". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  7. ^ "MSU hockey shows improvement in sweep of Northern Michigan". The State News. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  8. ^ Bott, Nathaniel. "Michigan State hockey upends Penn State on Shoudy's game-winner in overtime". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  9. ^ Oszust, Owen (2025-11-08). "No. 1 Michigan State hockey finishes off a sweep of No. 3 Penn State with a 5-0 victory on Saturday". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  10. ^ Bondy, Robert. "Michigan State hockey listed as unanimous top-ranked team in country". Spartans Wire. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  11. ^ Oszust, Owen (2025-11-15). "No. 1 Michigan State hockey dominates Notre Dame with a 4-1 victory on Friday night". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  12. ^ Bott, Nathaniel. "Michigan State hockey completes road sweep of Notre Dame as winning streak climbs to nine". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  13. ^ "No. 1 MSU hockey falls short in comeback against No. 7 Wisconsin". The State News. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  14. ^ Oszust, Owen (2025-11-23). "No. 1 Michigan State hockey gets swept by No. 7 Wisconsin with a 2-1 loss in overtime". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  15. ^ Oszust, Owen (2025-11-29). "MSU hockey sweeps Colgate with a 4-1 victory on Friday". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  16. ^ "2025–26 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Michigan State Official Athletic Site. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  17. ^ "2025-26 Spartan Hockey Schedule". Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Michigan State Univ. - Roster, News, Stats & more". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  19. ^ a b "Men's Ice Hockey Cumulative Statistics". Michigan State University Athletics. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  20. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.