The State News recently caught up with former MSU All-American and current Colorado Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles. Liles played in the 2001 Frozen Four in his tenure at MSU.

The State News: The Spartans are going to the Frozen Four. How great of an accomplishment is it to reach that milestone?

John-Michael Liles: I think it is fantastic that the Spartan hockey team is headed back to the Frozen Four this year.

I was fortunate enough to make it to one Frozen Four in my time at MSU and it was one of the experiences that I will remember forever. It is a tremendous accomplishment, and it's something that those players and coaches can be extremely proud of.

Coach Comley mentioned (on March 26) that you had gotten in touch with some of the team to congratulate them. How important is it to you to keep up to date with Spartan hockey?

JL: I try and keep up with the team as much as possible during the season, and I'm able to see them during the offseason since I come back to East Lansing. I did contact the team after the regional win just to let them know that there are quite a few alumni all over the place that still check on them and are very proud of what they are doing.

You've been to a Frozen Four yourself. What's the atmosphere like and what advice can you give the Spartans?

JL: The atmosphere at the Frozen Four is definitely a different feeling from the rest of the regular season, and it's very easy to get caught up in that.

The best advice I can give is to take it all in, try not to get caught up in the moment too much, and to make sure and remember it because you never know when you could be there next.

What kind of a shot do the Spartans have and who do you see winning it all?

JL: I think the Spartans have a great shot at winning the whole thing.

They are really starting to come together at the right time, and that's the most important thing. If you catch fire at the end of the season there's a whole lot that can happen, which is the beauty of college hockey.