The Michigan State hockey team has 13 new additions — 11 freshmen and two transfer defensemen — on a squad that is ranked No. 3 nationally in preseason polls and is the favorite to win a third straight Big Ten title.

MSU will have to replace some departed key contributors, including Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard, captain Red Savage, forwards Karsen Dorwart and Joey Larson, and the senior defensive pair of David Gucciardi and Nicklas Andrews.

As the Spartans prepare to begin their regular season Thursday and Friday at home against New Hampshire, here is a full player-by-player breakdown of the roster

ReturnersCharlie Stramel

Forward, 6-3, 210, Sr., Rosemount, Minnesota (Wisconsin, USNTDP)

Stramel experienced a career revival last season after transferring from Wisconsin, scoring nine goals with 18 assists and is MSU’s top returning scorer. The Minnesota first-round pick could’ve joined the Wild after last season, but instead decided to return for his senior year and continue to develop under Nightingale. Stramel was named as an alternate captain and will center one of MSU’s top two lines this year.

Daniel Russell

Forward, 5-10, 160, Sr., Traverse City, Michigan (Sioux Falls USHL)

Russell had a ton of success playing on MSU’s top line last season with Stramel and Howard, who left the Spartans to join the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. Russell was the Spartans’ most clutch player, leading the team and being among the best in the nation with seven game-winning goals. Russell, one of three players who have been with Nightingale in all four of his seasons at MSU, will likely be on the wing with Stramel again after scoring 13 goals and 25 points.

Shane Vansaghi

Forward, 6-2, 215, So., St. Louis, Missouri (USNTDP)

Vansaghi had a solid freshman season as the sixth-youngest player in college hockey, scoring six goals with 10 assists while skating in all 37 of MSU’s games. His performance helped him become the 48th overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Vansaghi is a physical presence and a heavy body on the forecheck, but still can showcase some skill and quick release on his shot. Vansaghi worked his way onto MSU’s second power-play unit last season and looks to move up into MSU’s top six forward group.

Gavin O’Connell

Forward, 6-0, 183, Jr., Plymouth, Minnesota (Waterloo USHL)

After scoring 15 goals his freshman year, O’Connell’s production dipped last season, scoring just six goals while missing 10 games with an injury. O’Connell was skating on a line with former captain Red Savage and forward Joey Larson, and following Savage’s season-ending injury, both players had more difficulty finding the scoresheet. O’Connell should be in the mix to be among the top two lines as he looks to regain his scoring touch from two seasons ago.

Tiernan Shoudy

Forward, 5-9, 175, Jr., Marysville, Michigan (Youngstown USHL)

Shoudy delivered eight goals and nine assists for MSU last season, centering a tone-setting third line that Nightingale often deployed as his starting group. Shoudy is an aggressive forechecker and often gets himself in the right position to have success. Shoudy is an alternate captain for the second season in a row and will center one of the bottom six forward lines while continuing to be MSU’s best penalty-killing forward.

Tommi Mannisto

Forward, 6-0, 193, Jr., Riihimäki, Finland (Tappara J20)

Mannisto is one of MSU’s fastest skaters and carved out a role alongside Shoudy and now-graduated Tanner Kelly for a second straight season, finishing with three goals and eight assists. Mannisto also worked his way onto the penalty kill, becoming one of Nightingale’s most reliable forwards on that unit. Mannisto created a lot of quality chances, but finished the year with just a .045 shooting percentage – the worst among MSU’s forward group. The Finnish speedster will look to capitalize on more of the chances he creates this season, possibly paired with Shoudy once again.

Griffin Jurecki

Forward, 5-10, 180, Jr., Grosse Ile, Michigan (Omaha USHL)

Jurecki is an interesting case, as the now-junior appeared in 25 games for the Spartans last season, primarily skating on the fourth line but had noticeable energy and effort level. Jurecki only recorded two assists, but had 50 shots on goal and remained disciplined by not committing a single penalty. With the new additions and skill-level added to the forward group, it’s unclear if Jurecki will get as much time on the ice, but his high-energy game to remain in the lineup.

Nathan Mackie

Forward, 5-11, 191, So., Prince George, British Columbia (Salmon Arm BCHL)

Mackie only appeared in eight games for the Spartans last season, registering one assist and seven shots on goal. Mackie will be a depth forward for the Spartans again this season, working to crack into the everyday lineup. He’ll likely called upon when MSU likely loses a handful of forwards during the World Juniors Tournament in December.

Matt Basgall

Defenseman, 5-10, 183, Sr., Lake Forest, Illinois (Tri-City USHL)

Basgall was elected as MSU’s captain in the offseason after the senior defenseman returned to his freshman year production in his third season with the Spartans, scoring six goals with 20 assists while playing in every game. Basgall will likely be on MSU’s third defensive pairing while being the quarterback on one of MSU’s power play units. Basgall was voted by coaches as a preseason First Team All-Big Ten member and was second on MSU’s team with 45 blocked shots.

Maxim Strbak

Defenseman, 6-2, 200, Jr., Košice, Slovakia (Sioux Falls USHL)

Strbak is a big, physical presence on the blue line who continues to improve from a defensive standpoint. He’s good at breaking the puck out and could factor into the second power play unit, where he has experience from his time in the USHL. Strbak had three goals and 16 assists last season, and continued to defend without committing penalties, having only three minors called against him in 33 games.

Patrick Geary

Defenseman, 6-1, 191, Jr., Buffalo, New York (Waterloo USHL)

Geary’s play him freshman season helped him get drafted to his hometown Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 NHL draft, and followed up a strong first year with one goal and six assists with 26 blocked shots while playing in all 37 games as a sophomore. Geary is a fearless defenseman who is always the first to defend his teammates, which contributed to him getting called for a team-high 19 minor penalties. Cleaning up the infractions is a big step for Geary, who could be paired with Strbak in a top four defensive pairing.

Owen West

Defenseman, 5-11, 186, So., Pittsboro, Indiana (Des Moines USHL)

With consistent performance in practice, West won a battle for the seventh defenseman spot early last season, often finding himself slotted in on a pair with Basgall due to injuries throughout the season. West appeared in 34 games, recording three assists but played sound in the defensive zone for a freshman. West figures to be in a similar spot, likely suiting up either on the bottom pairing or as the seventh defenseman, as Nightingale often opts for dressing an extra defenseman over a forward.

Trey Augustine

Goaltender, 6-1, 194, Jr., South Lyon, Michigan (USNTDP)

Augustine had the option to join the Detroit Red Wings organization and begin his professional career, but the reigning Big Ten Goaltender of the Year decided to return to East Lansing in search of an NCAA title. Augustine started 30 games flast season, going 19-7-4 with a 2.08 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. To no surprise, Augustine was voted as the preseason First Team All-Big Ten goaltender, and with Augustine having graduated from the World Junior ranks, should get every start in net for the Spartans this season.

Dolan Gilbert

Goaltender, 6-2, 180, Sr., South Bend, Indiana (Concordia)Gilbert joined MSU full-time last season after being an emergency third goaltender during the Great Lakes Invitational in 2023. Gilbert will continue to fill in as the third goalie and likely won’t see the ice outside of injury.

NewcomersCayden Lindstrom

Forward, 6-3, 220, Fr., Chetwynd, British Columbia (Medicine Hat WHL)

MSU’s first major addition from the Canadian Hockey League, Lindstrom comes from Medicine Hat in the WHL and joins the Spartans as one of the game’s top upcoming prospects. Lindstrom was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft by Columbus, but a slew of injuries, namely a herniated disk in his back that required surgery and extensive rehab, led to missing 16 months of action. Lindstrom did return briefly during Medicine Hat’s playoff run, scoring two goals and two assists in four games. Lindstrom will center one of MSU’s top lines and should provide an immediate impact on both ends of the ice with his combination of size and speed.

Porter Martone

Forward, 6-3, 210, Fr., Peterborough, Ontario (Brampton OHL)

Martone was a late addition to MSU’s roster, but could end up being MSU’s most impactful offensive player. Martone elected to join the Spartans over returning to Brampton in the OHL or turning pro with the Flyers, who drafted him No. 6 overall in the 2025 NHL draft. Like Lindstrom, Martone has a unique blend of size and speed, allowing him to either manuever around defenses or muscle through them. Martone dominated in the OHL, scoring 37 goals with 61 assists in 57 games, and should blend right into Nightingale’s system, possibly on the top line.

Ryker Lee

Forward, 6-1, 180, Fr., Wilmette, Illinois (Madison USHL)

Lee, the USHL Rookie of the Year and First Team All-USHL player with Madison last season, joins the Spartans after being selected 26th overall in the first round by the Nashville Predators in the 2025 NHL draft. Lee had 31 goals and 37 assists with the Capitols last season and was a standout performer in the World Junior Summer Showcase with Team USA. Lee boasts tremendous skill with breakneck puckhandling and an extremely quick release on his shot. His creative passing also helps create chances through the middle of the offensive zone. Lee will be a lineup regular and should provide a nice scoring punch.

Eric Nilson

Forward, 6-0, 165, Fr., Balsta, Uppsala, Sweden (Djurgårdens)

Nilson is a two-way center who joins MSU after being a second round pick to Anaheim in the 2025 NHL Draft. Nilson had 12 goals and 26 assists in 37 games for Djurgårdens in Sweden last season, and in 29 games playing for Sweden’s U-18 team, Nilson was a top performer with 10 goals and 16 assists. Nilson also impressed in the World Junior Summer Showcase and will center one of MSU’s four lines as a strong forechecking and back-checking presence in the middle of the ice.

Anthony Romani

Forward, 6-1, 195, Fr., Pickering, Ontario (Barrie OHL)

Romani, a sixth round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 NHL Draft, is another CHL prospect making the switch to the NCAA by joining the Spartans. Romani had 19 goals and 11 assists in 29 games with Barrie last season, but he had a huge year in North Bay in 2023-2024, where Romani had 58 goals and 53 assists in 68 games. Romani is a high-volume shooter who excels on the rush, which should fit right into MSU’s style.

Austin Baker

Forward, 6-0, 190, Fr., White Lake, Michigan (Sioux Falls USHL, USNTDP)

Baker committed to MSU over two years ago, and took an extra year in the USHL to develop before coming to East Lansing. Baker had 10 goals and 21 assists in 56 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede and is competing for one. of the final everyday forward spots, likely on a forechecking line with Shoudy and Mannisto. Baker was a seventh-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023 NHL draft.

Cole Burke

Forward, 6-2, 180, Fr., Trenton, Michigan (Fairbanks NAHL)

Burke was one of the final additions to MSU’s roster this season, coming from the NAHL where he was the captain of Fairbanks, scoring 16 goals with 22 assists last year. Burke is a depth forward for the Spartans, but should see some ice time during the World Juniors Tournament, when MSU could lose up to five forwards.

Colin Ralph

Defenseman, 6-4, 210, So., Maple Grove, Minnesota (St. Cloud State)

Ralph is a polished defenseman who is terrific defending the rush. He was the first transfer to commit to MSU after one season at St. Cloud State, where he had one goal and seven assists in 35 games. Ralph is a steady defender who gaps well and consistently alters opponent breakouts, all part of the reason why the St. Louis Blues used a second-round selection on Ralph in the 2024 NHL draft.

Travis Shoudy

Defenseman, 5-10, 180, Sr., Marysville, Michigan (Ferris State)

Shoudy, who was previously committed to Colorado College out of the transfer portal, ultimately winds up at MSU and joins his twin brother, Tiernan, for one final collegiate season. Shoudy was Ferris State’s captain last year, where he amassed 14 goals and 35 assists over three seasons. Shoudy is an offensive defenseman and should be in the mix to operate one of MSU’s power play units while being a steady, veteran presence on the blue line.

Sean Barnhill

Defenseman, 6-6, 215, Fr., Scottsdale, Arizona (Dubuque USHL)

Barnhill was previously committed to Northeastern for the 2026-2027 blue line, but the Spartans flipped him on Aug. 2 and added him to this season’s roster. Barnhill had four goals and eight assists for Dubuque last season and was a third-round pick to the New York Rangers in the 2025 NHL draft. At just 18, he should compete for either the sixth or seventh defenseman spot.

Cole Ward

Defenseman, 6-6, 210, Fr., Rochester, Michigan (Tri-City USHL)

Ward comes to MSU after a split season in the NAHL and USHL last year, putting up two goals and six assists in 50 games total. Ward is competing for the seventh defenseman spot, but will likely be MSU’s depth defenseman, ready for opportunity if poor play or injuries arise.

Matt Lahey

Defenseman, 6-6, 205, Fr., Victoria, British Columbia (Fargo USHL)

Lahey will be out for a considerable time, Nightingale confirmed on Sept. 25, with an injury suffered in NHL Development camp. Lahey would’ve been on the fringe of being MSU’s seventh defensemen, but will take this season to rehab and recover before joining the Spartans.

Melvin Strahl

Goaltender, 6-3. 170, Fr., Solleftea, Sweden (Youngstown USHL)

Strahl comes to MSU and will be the primary backup to Augustine and the heir apparent to MSU’s star in net. Strahl, a fifth-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL draft, put together a solid season with Youngstown last year. Strahl posted a 2.48 goals against average and .903 save percentage in 46 regular season games with a 33-12-1 record.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott