After wrapping up his final junior hockey season in Fairbanks, three-year Ice Dog and Michigan native, Cole Burke is heading home to join the Michigan State University hockey program. The Spartans are coming off back-to-back Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.
Burke was a mainstay for the Ice Dogs during his three-year tenure, appearing in over 150 games. He served as a team captain in the 2024-25 season, leading Fairbanks to an 80-point finish with a 37-16-3-3 record.
The year was highlighted by a return to the postseason and a recapturing of the Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup for the organization.
Burke played a large role for the team in his final year, as he posted 16 goals and 22 assists. It saw a strong mix of individual and team success for both Burke and the Ice Dogs.
“The three years there were unforgettable,” Burke said of his time in Fairbanks. “Definitely a thing that stands out is all the bonds I made there with the coaching staff and all the teammates. What really stands out is surrounding myself with great people, who have helped me build my path to success.”
Burke looks to continue his success forward into his time at Michigan State — a place he described as a “dream school.”
Growing up in Michigan, he pointed to the program’s traditions and familial ties to the university as key factors. Combined with national recognition, top-tier facilities, an elite coaching staff and recent success on the ice, the decision felt like a natural fit.
“It was a no-brainer when I got the call,” Burke said of his commitment. “It’s an unreal feeling — I’m still shocked about it, to be honest with you. The rivalries, the Big Ten conference is the best conference in hockey, the atmosphere is unreal. The rivalries are crazy, especially with Michigan — that in-state rivalry is going to be absolutely amazing to be a part of.”
The Spartans are coming off a strong season of their own, finishing with a 26-7-4 record and spending stretches of the year ranked as the top team in college hockey. After repeating as both regular season and conference tournament champions, MSU became the first program in Big Ten history to claim both titles in consecutive years.
Their postseason run ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with an upset loss to Cornell. Despite the early exit, the Spartans’ season provided significant milestones, and potential remains high for continued success.
“As a team, we’ll expect the best for ourselves — to win and defend the Big Ten championship,” Burke said. “Obviously, there’s a little bit of revenge we have going into the NCAA Tournament. Getting better everyday, that’s really what I’m focusing on — building myself as a player. I think if I do that, and be the best teammate possible, my teammates will follow.”
Burke joins the Spartans for the upcoming 2025-26 season. A player who prides himself on physicality and two-way capabilities — valuing both offensive and defensive output — he will look to find his role with the team as he begins his initial year this fall.