MSU hockey picked up some reinforcements for next year by signing five recruits to National Letters of Intent. Forward Mason Appleton , defenseman Zach Osburn , forward Cody Milan , defenseman Jerad Rosburg and forward Brennan Sanford all made their commitments to MSU official on Tuesday.
“We’re very excited about this class as all five players combine to address our future needs,” head coach Tom Anastos said. “It’s an excellent group. They all possess strong skating and puck skills and we really like the dynamics that they will bring to our team.”
Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Appleton played for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League. As a playmaking center with a 6-foot-2-inch frame , Appleton has put up points at every level he’s played at. In three seasons playing for Notre Dame Academy, he scored 62 goals and added 100 assists . In addition to his size and skill, Appleton has a reputation for performing during critical moments. In the 2012 WIAA state championship game, Appleton scored the game-winning goal.
“He’s got a good hockey intellect,” Anastos said. “He makes players around him better through good puck movement. We think he has the potential to play on both special teams, and he’s got good size.”
Osburn is an offensive-minded defenseman who possesses elite skating ability. He will become the second Osburn to play for Anastos after his father played under the MSU coach in the late 1980s at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Osburn will bring a much needed element to the Spartans’ back end. His ability and willingness to lead the breakout and join the rush is something Anastos compared to Torey Krug’s style of play.
“He has some skill sets similar to Torey,” Anastos said. “He can really skate. He can break the puck out of the zone, both with his feet and also by moving the puck ... not just join the rush, but lead the rush.”
Milan, who plays with Appleton for the Tri-City Storm, is a Michigan product out of Orchard Lake. Playing on the wing, Milan uses his offensive skill set and defensive mindset to be an effective player on all parts of the ice. Because of that, he will be a strong candidate to play on both the penalty kill and power play once he arrives at MSU.
“Throughout his career, he’s been able to contribute offensively,” Anastos said. “He’s a committed defensive player; he works hard defensively. I think he’ll make a smooth transition in college.”
Rosburg, a 6-foot-1-inch defenseman from Maryland , is a difficult defender for teams to play against. He combines his skating ability, long reach and physicality to create a tough match up for opposing players. Rosburg has a good offensive sense and is a strong puck mover out of the back end.
“I wouldn’t call him an offensive defenseman, but I wouldn’t call him a defensive defenseman,” Anastos said. “I think he plays well both ways and he contributes offensively.”
Closing out the early singing period, Sanford is a local product out of East Lansing . Currently playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL, Sanford has the size and strength to cause problems all over the rink. He uses those traits to be an effective player along the boards, in front of the net and in the corners.
“He’s kind of a two-way winger,” Anastos said. “He’s one of those kinds of guys every team needs. ... He competes really hard, he’s very difficult to play against and he’s got good skills.”
MSU still has opportunities to sign additional recruits before the start of the 2015-2016 season, but Anastos is already excited about what the Spartans have in store.
