Michigan State hockey’s senior center Charlie Stramel is headed home. 

Stramel, a Minnesota native, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, beginning with the 2026-27 season.

He will not play for any of the Wild’s affiliates as he broke his ankle in the first period of MSU’s final game; a 4-3 overtime loss to Wisconsin. He remains out for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Stramel finished his senior season with a career-best 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists). He posted a plus-29 rating and tied for the national lead in game-winning goals with seven. Stramel ranked second nationally with 483 faceoff wins this season, leading the team. He was a dangerous net-front player who regularly generated offense for the Spartans.

This season was Stramel’s best performance. He spent two seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to MSU for his junior and senior seasons. After MSU's final game, coach Adam Nightingale said Stramel was the best player in college hockey in regard to the impact he had on MSU's team.

Stramel was a first-round draft pick to the Wild in the 2023 NHL Draft. He was selected 21st overall and will sport his MSU number, 15, when he plays for the Wild. 

Stramel is the seventh Spartan to sign a professional contract or accept a tryout following the conclusion of the season. He joins freshman forward Porter Martone, junior goaltender Trey Augustine, junior defenseman Maxim Štrbák, senior winger Daniel Russell, senior defenseman Matt Basgall and sophomore defenseman Colin Ralph.