Even then, Anastos stuck with his process. It was not always the easiest or most rewarding way to do things, but the Spartans are finally starting to reap the rewards of it.

There were 10 freshmen on that 2012-2013 roster, and the inexperience showed throughout the next two years.

Some of those freshmen included players like Jake Hildebrand, Michael Ferrantino, Travis Walsh, Ryan Keller, Matt DeBlouw, John Draeger and Rhett Holland – all of whom are regulars for the Spartans this year.

While Anastos would admit that the process of getting MSU back to prominence is not going as quickly as he’d like, the former CCHA Commissioner never wavered in his approach.

After another difficult year in the newly formed Big Ten hockey conference in 2013-2014 (11-18-7), MSU is finally starting to get some of the results they had envisioned. Sitting at an even 13-13-2 record, the Spartans have a real opportunity to claim their first Big Ten regular season title.

Yes, Minnesota and UM currently sit two points ahead of MSU in the conference standings, but MSU still has two games left against each of the teams ahead of them. While they don’t necessarily control their own destiny, it is as close as the Spartans have been to it since Anastos arrived.

A former MSU hockey player from 1982-1985, Anastos often speaks of the culture that was built at MSU. The idea of always putting team goals in front of individual goals, and not because it’s what you’re told to do, but because it’s what you want to do.

That culture has been permeating through the locker room more and more over the last four years. The Spartans play a unique style of defense that takes all 18 skaters playing in sync with one goal in mind.

MSU led the nation in blocked shots in last season and rank third this season.

That was the key for Anastos when he took over the program. Instead of fighting for the top-skill recruits and big, bruising defensemen (which most likely would not have committed anyways), Anastos sought out culture changers.

“What we’re starting to…see is an incredible unselfishness amongst our team where guys are really starting to kind of play for each other,” Anastos said. “And that’s not something you can manufacture. It just kind of evolves because guys are accepting the roles that they have.

“While you talk team… it’s more about living team.”

Slowly but surely, the Spartans are starting to inherit that mindset. While MSU might not get back to the NCAA tournament this year, fans can get accustomed to seeing the Spartans in contention for years to come. Job well done, Anastos.