Michigan State senior forward Charlie Stramel (15) during a game between Michigan State and Penn State at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Michigan State hockey senior center Charlie Stramel was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week, the conference announced this morning. The honor follows No. 2 Michigan State’s sweep of then-No. 5 Penn State last weekend.
Stramel scored the game-winning goal in the Spartans’ 5-4 overtime win to clinch the series sweep. He also scored a buzzer-beater goal to tie the game before entering the third period.
Stramel finished the series finale with four points — three goals and one assist — en route to the first hat trick of his career. Two of his goals were assisted by senior winger Daniel Russell, his linemate for the past two seasons.
He finished the weekend with five points (three goals, two assists) and leads the team with 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists). It marks the most points he has recorded in a season as he surpassed his previous career high on Jan. 16. Prior to reaching that mark, Stramel said his confidence has grown significantly this season.
The center ranks second nationally in faceoffs won, and first in the Big Ten. He also has the most game-winning goals in the country with six, tied with Michigan’s forward Will Horcoff.
This is Stramel’s third Big Ten Star honor of the season and the sixth of his career. He has earned two First Star honors, one Second Star and three Third Star selections. He was also the last Spartan to be named Big Ten First Star, on Dec. 30, 2025.
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