For members of the Munnsters, MSU hockey’s student section, former players have given them some of their favorite memories as a fan.

“I went to the Notre Dame game last year,” environmental studies senior Dominic DeStefano recalled one of his favorite moments earlier in the season. “I just remember watching the play get set up and standing (up) before the puck even went in the net. Just knowing because it was on (former forward Isaac) Howard’s stick and there was nothing that was gonna stop it.” 

Former hockey players can be difficult to track after they leave East Lansing, as most start in the NHL’s lower-level affiliates, the American Hockey League (AHL) and the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). However, the Spartans are still making waves.

Isaac Howard (2023-2025)  — Edmonton Oilers prospect

Howard netted his first NHL goal on Oct. 21, 2025, assisted by forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Just seven months prior, he was playing Spartan hockey. 

Howard spent two seasons at MSU, arriving as a sophomore transfer from Minnesota-Duluth for the 2023-2024 season. As a sophomore, Howard finished with 42 points (8 goals, 34 assists) throughout 42 games. His production nearly doubled in his junior season. The winger finished with 79 points — 38 goals and 41 assists — en route to winning the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and several other Big Ten accolades. 

Howard was drafted 31st overall to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, but the Lightning traded his rights to the Oilers in 2025, changing his plans to return to MSU for a senior season. 

Howard has split time between the Oilers and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He’s played 28 games with the Oilers, recording five points for a negative-6 rating.

“He's got a heart for the team, and he loves to win,” Nightingale said at the start of hockey season. “I think that's why we loved him so much here. Edmonton is obviously in a great spot. They got a great team. They got some depth. And I think he can provide a lot for that team.” 

Nightingale brought this year’s team to watch Howard play when the Oilers visited Detroit on Oct. 19, 2025. 

“You got to earn your coaches' trust, and you got to be great away from the puck, and I thought he did that,” Nightingale said in October. “He had a couple good looks offensively, but then in the third, he started to get out there more, and he's got to stay with that. So I thought he's done a great job.” 

Howard has skated in 22 games for the Condors, contributing 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) and four game-winning goals for a plus-12 rating. He was named AHL player of the month in December 2025. 

In the AHL, Howard ranks fifth in overtime goals, sixth in rookie scoring, and 10th in game-winning goals — all while splitting time with the Oilers. 

Artyom Levshunov (2023-2024)  — Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

Defenseman Artyom Levshunov made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2025 and has established himself as a key component throughout his second season, still dubbed his rookie season. 

The defenseman has posted 21 points (2 goals, 19 assists) in 52 games for the Blackhawks, leading the team’s defensemen in scoring. He has also added 62 hits and 51 blocks. The Blackhawks are in 27th place among 32 NHL teams, and Levshunov has a minus-27 rating. His time on ice ranks behind only Connor Bedard and Chicago veterans Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser.

Levshunov spent just one season at MSU. He was a last-minute addition to the 2023-24 roster, joining in July of 2023. Despite his brief time as a Spartan, he made a huge impact. 

He skated in all 44 games on the top defensive pairing, contributing 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists) on the season, second best on the team. He led the Big Ten with a plus-27 rating and was named the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Joey Larson (2023-2025) — New York Islanders’ prospect

Forward Joey Larson arrived at MSU as an undrafted transfer from Northern Michigan, and he left with a two-year contract with the New York Islanders. Larson signed with them just five days after the Spartans’ season-ending loss to Cornell last season. He played just six games with their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, to round out the 2024-2025 season. 

Now in his first full professional season, Larson has skated in all 45 of Bridgeport’s games, contributing 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) for a plus-3 rating. He ranks second in first-goals-scored-in-a-game and 12th in rookie scoring for the AHL. 

Larson spent two seasons with the Spartans after transferring from Northern Michigan, and contributed 26 goals and 56 points for a +13 rating during his time in green and white. 

Karsen Dorwart (2022-2025) — Philadelphia Flyers prospect

Like Larson, forward Karsen Dorwart opted to forego his final season of eligibility after MSU’s loss to Cornell. While Dorwart was undrafted, he signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on March 29, 2025. 

Dorwart played in five NHL games with the Flyers at the end of the 2024-25 season, registering no points but gaining his first NHL experience. The forward has spent this season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Dorwart has contributed 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 44 games for the Phantoms.

During his three seasons at MSU, Dorwart tallied 107 points (49 goals, 58 assists) in 126 games. 

MSU freshman forward Porter Martone and sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi are also drafted to the Flyers. 

Red Savage (2023-2025) — Buffalo Sabres prospect 

Although forward Red Savage was drafted to the Red Wings in 2021, he became a free agent on August 14, 2025. Savage inked a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres just one week later. 

Savage has split time between the Sabres’ affiliates, competing in 19 games for the AHL’s Rochester Americans and 12 games for the Jacksonville Icemen. Savage has put up five points each for the Americans and Icemen.

The forward spent two seasons at MSU after transferring from Miami. He captained the Spartans his senior season, although his playing time was cut short after a shoulder injury. Savage posted 27 points in 44 games during his junior season and 14 points in 32 during his senior season at MSU. 

David Gucciardi (2021-2025) — Washington Capitals prospect

Defenseman David Gucciardi was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2022 and has spent this hockey season with their affiliate, the Hershey Bears. 

The defenseman has skated in 29 games for the Bears, posting 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) for a plus-11 rating in his first professional season. Gucciardi missed parts of December and a few games in January due to injuries. 

Gucciardi tallied 15 goals and 33 assists during his four seasons as a Spartan, skating in 159 games.

Tanner Kelly (2021-2025) — Detroit Red Wings Prospect

Forward Tanner Kelly became a Red Wings prospect in July of 2025, joining the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye under an agreement for the 2025-2026 season. 

Kelly has skated in 41 of the team’s 42 games so far, putting up 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists). 

Nightingale said earlier in the season that he still checks in with Kelly and other players regardless of their NHL status. 

“If you played here, you're one of us,” Nightingale said. “I think Tanner (Kelly) did an unbelievable job for us.”

Kelly spent four seasons as a Spartan, posting 70 points (33 goals, 37 assists) in 165 games.

Nicklas Andrews (2024-2025) — Detroit Red Wings prospect 

Defenseman Nicklas Andrews signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, in April 2025. He was assigned to the Toledo Walleye prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. 

Andrews has holds a plus-5 rating, skating in 42 games for 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists). 

Andrews spent just one season with MSU, arriving as a graduate student after competing for four years at Colorado College. He posted two goals and 18 assists for 20 points as a Spartan.