MSU will continue to recruit from the CHL, head coach Adam Nightingale said earlier in November, adding he knows its players are well coached and prepared.

Porter Martone

Martone was the most anticipated CHL player of the Spartans’ three. He was drafted sixth overall just the summer before his arrival, and he fulfilled expectations. 

He became a top line forward and consistent offensive threat. In his one and only season, Martone tallied a point in 31 of his 35 games, highlighted by 17 multi-point performances as he led the team in goals and points (25-25--50). 

His season earned a spot in the all-time freshmen record book at MSU. He ranks second in goals with 25 and fifth with 50 points. Martone racked up several accolades, including First Team All-American, All-Big Ten First Team and All-Tournament team at the NCAA Worcester Regional. 

“Coming to college, it is a lot different,” Martone said in February. “It's a lot harder; it's faster paced, you're playing against older guys. I think a big thing for me, to focus on what I need to do, is just become that power forward I need to be, and kind of find my identity as a player. And that's playing in front of the goalie's eyes, really working below the hash marks.”

Martone did what he came to do: become a better athlete, play at a faster pace and be a part of a team. It prepared him for his transition to the Philadelphia Flyers where he has made a direct impact since the end of MSU’s season. 

Martone has put up eight points in eight NHL games. The Flyers clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs yesterday.

Cayden Lindstrom

Lindstrom was the highest draft pick of the CHL trio (fourth overall in 2024), but his individual goals differed from Martone's and Romani's. He entered off an injury and getting healthy was his first priority.

“When you look at Cayden when he first got here, he was still in return to play,” Nightingale said in the last month of the season. “He's put a ton of work in pre-practice, post-practice, so he can stay healthy. And I think as the year has gone on, he's moving better.” 

The 2023-24 season was Lindstrom’s last full hockey season prior to MSU due to a back injury that occurred during the season. He played through it, finishing with 46 points (27-19--46) in 32 games, and had surgery in November 2024. 

Lindstrom’s compete-level and athleticism was clear from September practices, but it was also clear he was working back into the rhythm of a hockey season. He saw dangerous scoring opportunities throughout the season, but the execution differed from his previous seasons.

Lindstrom finished the 2025-26 season with 10 points (3-7--10). Two of his three goals came in the team’s final regular-season series against Minnesota. 

But what he lacked on the scoresheet, was highlighted by his physicality and consistency as a center. Lindstrom won 51% of his faceoffs during the season. Starting senior center Charlie won 53.7% of his, and he was second-best in the NCAA.

Lindstrom still has the competitive spirit and 6-foot-4 frame that made him the player he was before the injury, and his freshman season allowed him to gradually return to form while continuing to grow. He said his defensive game has improved significantly since arriving at MSU, and he has become a disruptive defender.

“I still got a long way to go honestly, but yeah, I'm feeling better,” Lindstrom said after the final regular-season game. “Body’s feeling better. Feel more comfortable, more and more confident. Speed's coming back, so that's good.”

MSU has seen players turn around, like Stramel in his senior season, and Lindstrom has potential to play an even larger role in the Spartans’ lineup next year.

Anthony Romani

Romani had the ability to fly under the radar — but he was the team’s fifth-leading scorer. He finished the season with 28 points (14-14--28), and his contribution to the team was timely and game-winning.

When the Spartans’ needed a goal to tie the game against rival Michigan, Romani answered. When they needed another to take the lead, it was Romani who scored. He was the first Spartan to record a hat trick, helping the team defeat Penn State in the road series opener. 

“Obviously got a track record of scoring,” Nightingale said about Romani at the start of the season. “He put up big-time stats in the OHL, which is a great league… He's strong down low. He has some patience. Offensively, thinks the game at a really high level. And a lot of guys would step out and just jam it in the goalie's pads.”

Romani played on the top line when Martone missed for the IIHF World Junior Championships and scored three goals in the Great Lakes Invitational. He also grew his defensive game throughout the season.

“Obviously you see him scoring, but he's earned more ice time,” Nightingale said in January. “He's really grown his game away from the puck. And obviously he can do some stuff offensively and he's got a gift to finish, but I think the job he's doing on the (penalty) kill and with the goalie out is critical to our team.”

Romani’s role on the team looked different than Martone and Lindstrom, but he fulfilled it the same. His return to MSU would be impactful for the Spartans’ offense after losing eight players to graduation and contracts and two forwards to the transfer portal so far.