MSU head coach Rick Comley only expects four of last year’s freshmen to start this season.

During Media Day last week, I cringed when Comley said all nine freshmen would play a key role in this year’s team.

Wasn’t that the purpose of last year — to play all of the freshmen so they would come back improved this season?

Was last year’s freshman class that bad, or is this year’s freshman class that good?

After watching the Spartans in the Green and White game and in the team’s 5-2 win over Western Ontario on Monday, it’s clear this year’s newcomers have talent.

But more importantly, seven of the nine freshmen are six feet or taller, emphasizing Comley’s desire to recruit bigger, stronger players to prevent getting manhandled the way the team did last year.

And Comley is confident the freshmen will be able to step in and have an impact right away.

“You always hate to use the word rebuilding, but it became obvious to all of us last year that we were,” Comley said. “I think this is step two in it. You need to hit on a good class. Nationally, this freshman group isn’t viewed as a top recruiting class, but I think it’s pretty good.”

Freshman forward Derek Grant is expected to play on the Spartans’ first line. During the intrasquad scrimmage, Grant made a great read while shorthanded that allowed him to spring free on a breakaway.

He pulled an impressive deke that faked senior goaltender Bobby Jarosz out of his pads and then roofed his shot. He also scored against Western Ontario.

Freshman defenseman Torey Krug is the smallest player in the freshman class, at 5-foot-9, but he might be the most skilled. Krug is a fantastic setup man, and his passing abilities and vision will be utilized on the power play.

The Spartans’ third line will consist of freshmen Kevin Walrod, Chris Forfar and Zach Golembiewski. Yes, that’s right — it will be an all-freshmen line.

Although the team will be young, at least there will be enough players on the roster for competition to take place for the starting spots.

Let’s not forget last year’s fiasco, during which not one, but two players were called up by Comley to join the team in the middle of the season. And both players actually made it into the starting lineup.

“With a young team, everyone is battling for spots,” Grant said. “Day in and day out, we are pushing each other to be the best we can be. We have all roles covered. We have checkers, offensive guys and great goaltending. I just think the combination we have together here is the right fit for us.”

A lot of the success of this year’s team rests on the shoulders of the nine freshmen.

At least their shoulders are broader than in the past.

Alex DiFilippo is The State News hockey reporter. He can be reached at difilip3@msu.edu