Michigan State traveled to Detroit for the annual Duel in the D against in-state rival Michigan, aiming to defend its title. The Spartans accomplished that goal with a commanding 6-1 victory.

While it wasn’t the game-winning goal, Vansaghi opened the scoring for MSU and later assisted on the team’s third goal, further solidifying the lead.

At just 18 years old, Vansaghi has recorded 14 points this season—four goals and ten assists. A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan, he is projected to be selected in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he imposes his presence on every shift.

“We talk to our guys, you take responsibility for your development, (Vansaghi) is a guy who’s in the rink all the time, he’s in there 8 a.m. sharp every single day,” head coach Adam Nightingale said. “I think the reason he picked us was he was looking for a place where you had to go and earn things and nothing was promised. I’ve got a ton of respect for guys like that and he certainly does it.”

Vansaghi registered four shots on goal in both games of the series, making his presence felt in the rivalry matchup. The right winger held his own against veteran players, using his size to deliver hard checks and disrupt Michigan’s rhythm. His two-point performance cemented his lead among MSU freshman skaters with 14 points this season.

Vansaghi thrives in front of the net, using his size to create chaos and redirect pucks on tip-ins. His first collegiate goal came during MSU’s first Big Ten weekend series, where he deflected a shot for the game-winner. Establishing a net-front presence has been his calling card throughout his freshman season.

“He’s a young player that I think is just scratching the surface and it was good to see him get rewarded,” Nightingale said. “I think he’s played some pretty good hockey and maybe hasn’t pointed. The weekend before he made a nice pass to Griffin, back door on a two-on-one and they didn’t convert. He got a two on one with Ike, got inside the dots and wired it and didn't go in. He's done a lot of really good things for us, and he's been a big part of our team.”

Net-front presence has been a defining trait of MSU’s fourth line, featuring sophomore forward Griffin Jurczyk and freshman forward Mikey DeAngelo. That identity was on full display with MSU’s third goal of the night, as Vansaghi and DeAngelo battled in the crease before DeAngelo buried a loose puck.

“I kind of got it around the dot and just took a shot. (DeAngelo) was holding his net front, kind of hit him and I think he just whacked at it between his legs and the puck went in,” Vansaghi said. “That’s our identity for our line is to just go to the net hard and be hungry for those loose pucks.”

Vansaghi recently earned a role on MSU’s power play and penalty kill, and his lone goal in game two came on the man advantage. The freshman has embraced the challenge of earning his spot, a mentality that aligns with Nightingale’s philosophy of recruiting players who work for their roles rather than expecting them.

“Being able to earn my way on the power play is super special, especially me being so young,” Vansaghi said. “Ton of respect for the coaches for giving me that opportunity and trusting me with it. But especially during the game, it's just super cool to be able to make an impact for my team.”

With consecutive Iron D trophies in hand, MSU heads into its final bye week before closing out its home schedule with a pivotal series against Penn State.