The student section at Munn Ice Arena erupts in cheer as the clock runs out with MSU up 3-2 on Feb. 4, 2023.
As hockey season makes its way around the corner, rosters for college hockey have begun finalization, bringing to light the incoming player group for Michigan State hockey.
Head coach Adam Nightingale and the Spartans added six freshmen, two transferring juniors and one graduate transfer student to help continue on their venture upward after winning the program's first Big Ten championship this past winter. Here's the complete list.
West, a Pittsboro, IN native, played for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for two seasons before committing to MSU for his freshman year. The defenseman put up seven goals and 12 assists during his final season, playing in 58 games.
The Russia native, drafted in the fourth round in 2021 by the current Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, played in the USHL for the Tri-City Storm, putting up 11 goals and 43 points in 54 games. The big-bodied, 6-foot-1 defenseman recently made his commitment to Michigan State to help on the blue line.
Nelson, a northerner from Duluth, MN, played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the Oklahoma Warriors. The right-handed forward posted a career-high of 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) during his second season with the Warriors before continuing his career into Division I hockey with the Spartans.
Coming off of a captaincy during his final season with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, the left-handed center DeAngelo made his mark, playing in 58 games and putting up a 23-goal, 52-point season with the team. He also played two games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) during its 2021-2022 season.
From the NTDP and projected for a selection in the 2025 NHL draft, Vansaghi, a right-handed forward, notched 12 goals and 11 assists during his final year with the team. He also played with Spartan commit Austin Baker in the program. Vansaghi played in 59 games during the NTDP season, as well as playing on the U18 IIHF World Junior Team.
Rounding out the incoming freshman, the right-wing, British Columbia native Mackie played for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the British Columbian Hockey League (BCHL), adding power onto the offensive line for MSU's upcoming season. Mackie played in 47 games while in the junior league, putting up 10 goals and 22 points during his final Canadian season along with 12 playoff points during the team's postseason run.
University of Wisconsin transfer Charlie Stramel, drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2023 NHL entry-level draft, is an incoming junior forward, adding a big body to the offensive lineup at 6-foot-3, 223 pounds. Stramel put up eight points (three goals, five assists) during the season and played in 35 games.
Joining as a backup goaltender, Gilbert played for Concordia University in Wisconsin until transferring to Michigan State for his junior season. During his 2022-2023 season with Concordia, Gilbert put up a .810 save percentage and had a career-high 45 saves against Adrian College on Feb. 18, 2023.
Appearing in all 37 games of his senior season for the Colorado College Tigers, Andrews put up 14 assists and 17 points during the regular season. A Canton, MI native, the graduate transfer student decided to come home for his final season. His 17-point season was a collegiate career-high for the defensive player, who was a finalist for the Defenseman of the Year award in the NCHC.
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After losing seven players and six seniors, including 2024 NHL second overall draft pick Artyom Levshunov, MSU has regained talent through the transfer portal and through new freshman players to pick up where the team left off.
