Eighteen players on the upcoming 2026-27 roster participated in Development Camps last week. An additional six former and five committed Spartans were also in attendance, spanning 19 of the 32 franchises. 

“[We've] got a lot of new guys, a lot of new faces,” junior wing Shane Vansaghi told the media during Flyers Development Camp. “After all the development camps are over, we're all gonna get back on campus and start training together, and that's when it starts. We really become a team in the summer.”

Below is every NHL development camp that featured MSU players for the upcoming season:

Anaheim Ducks - Eric Nilson, Nikita Klepov

Sophomore center Eric Nilson, a second-round pick in 2025, and freshman winger Nikita Klepov, selected 15th overall in 2026, attended Anaheim’s development camp together, marking Klepov’s first one with the franchise. 

Klepov was selected after Anaheim traded for two first-round picks. 

“I think Klepov might have a chance to fast-track to the NHL,” Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek told the media. “So that was another scenario that went into the [trade].”

Nashville Predators - Ryker Lee, Tommy Bleyl

Sophomore wing Ryker Lee, a first-round selection in 2025, and freshman defenseman Tommy Bleyl, a first-round selection in 2026, were some of the younger faces at the Predators' Development Camp. 

Lee exhibited his offensive identity throughout camp, but also took away areas he can improve on for the upcoming season. 

“Something they harped on a lot was getting pucks back and winning puck battles,” Lee said. “Going back for the rest of the summer, that's something I'm going to work on a lot, because it's something that needs to grow in my game.” 

Bleyl was drafted 31st overall after the Predators traded both of their second-round picks for a chance to snag him. 

“I see a lot of poise out of him,” Lee said regarding Bleyl. “I think he's a super heady player. I think it's gonna help him a lot in college.” 

At Dev Camp, Bleyl announced he will attend MSU in the fall. He was originally set for another season with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, but felt he was ready for the next step. 

Columbus Blue Jackets - Cayden Lindstrom, Tommi Männistö (invite)

Sophomore center Cayden Lindstrom, selected fourth overall by Columbus in 2023, and senior wing Tommi Männistö, an invited player, both trained with Columbus last week. 

The week was Lindstrom’s fourth development camp with the franchise. He has spent additional time in Columbus earlier in his hockey career, recovering from various injuries. Last season was his first relatively full hockey season, and he spent much of it getting healthy. 

Lindstrom told the media his back is the best it has felt, and his mobility is better than it was before he was injured. He added that he has matured as a player, setting different goals for himself and not rushing the process. 

The center also said that the incoming players are going to make practices and games even more competitive at MSU, something he views positively.

New York Rangers - Sean Barnhill

Sophomore defenseman Sean Barnhill joined the Rangers for his second Development Camp after being drafted 70th overall in the third round of 2025.  He was plus-8 with four assists in all 37 games of last season. 

Toronto Maple Leafs - Matt Lahey

Sophomore defenseman Matt Lahey was the lone Spartan at Maple Leafs Development Camp. Lahey started last season with an injury and joined the lineup mid- season, finishing with five assists, 16 blocked shots and a plus-six rating in 19 games.

Philadelphia Flyers - Shane Vansaghi

Vansaghi made his third appearance at Flyers Dev Camp last week. Vansaghi was a second-round pick in 2025 at 48th overall.

“For me, one of those areas of improvement needs to be the offensive part,” Vansaghi told the media at Development Camp. “I've been working on that, and it's a work in progress, and it takes time.” 

Seattle Kraken - Chase Reid

Incoming freshman defenseman Chase Reid made his first training camp appearance after the Kraken picked him at seventh overall. 

Reid told the media that the weight room will be a point of emphasis throughout his collegiate career, which will help him box out players in front of the net.

“You don't play as many games, you got a lot of time to be in the weight room and just go out there and prove yourself each and every night,” Reid said. “Michigan State has great facilities as well, so it's pretty much a no-brainer to go there for a year and develop and just play my best every night.”

Utah Mammoth - Ethan Belchetz

Incoming freshman wing Ethan Belchetz became the first MSU player drafted to the Mammoth this year, selected at 17th overall. 

Belchetz attended Utah’s Development Camp and tallied a couple of goals in the camp’s scrimmage.

“It was fun,” Belchetz told the media after the scrimmage. “You get to know these guys all week and then you get into a game there and you’re throwing some big hits and you’re trying to win a big hockey game there.”

Chicago Blackhawks - Mason West

Incoming freshman center Mason West attended his second Blackhawks camp after being selected 29th overall in 2025. 

According to West, he is still expected at MSU in the fall, despite the Western Hockey League’s Fargo Force trading him to the Portland Winterhawks. 

West said his game has improved since ending his football career to focus on hockey. West quarterbacked Edina High School to a Minnesota football state championship last fall. 

Boston Bruins - Cullen McCrate

Incoming freshman defenseman Cullen McCrate was a late draft pick this year at 216th overall in the seventh round. He attended his first training camp alongside the Bruins’ other draft picks and invites. 

The right-shot defenseman had 30 points (10g-20a) in 61 games with the USHL’s Fargo Force last season. 

Vancouver Canucks - Anthony Romani

Sophomore forward Anthony Romani participated in Canucks Development Camp, which involved white-water rafting as a bonding activity. Romani was a sixth-round selection in 2024. 

Buffalo Sabres - Patrick Geary

Last season’s defensive pairing of senior defenseman Patrick Geary and former defenseman Maxim Štrbák reunited at Sabres Development Camp. 

Geary was a sixth-round pick in 2024, and Štrbák was a second-round pick in 2023. 

Calgary Flames - Cullen Potter, Jack Hextall

Transfer junior forward Cullen Potter and incoming freshman center Jack Hextall attended Calgary’s Development Camp.

Both were first-round picks by Calgary as Potter was drafted 32nd overall in 2025 and Hextall was chosen 30th in 2026. 

Potter has recently recovered from a shoulder injury that ended his season at Arizona State (26 points in 24 games). He has been skating for about three months.

San Jose Sharks - Joshua Ravensbergen

Incoming freshman goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen attended his second Sharks Development Camp last week. Ravensbergen was a first-round pick in 2025, rare for a goaltender.

“I'm super excited,” Ravensbergen told the media at camp regarding MSU. “Their strength program seems, or what I've heard, it's really good. Unbelievable facilities, great coaching staff, and just to have a guy like Trey (Augustine) go there before me, I figured they got to be doing something right to get that guy. So I'm looking forward to going there, and hopefully it'll be a lot of fun.”

Other MSU-affiliated players

Former Spartans Daniel Russell (PIT), Tiernan Shoudy (PIT), Charlie Stramel (MIN), Porter Martone (PHI), Colin Ralph (STL) and Maxim Štrbák (BUF) signed entry-level agreements in the spring and attended Development Camp last week.

MSU commits Brooks Rogowski (VAN), Nick Bogas (STL) and Jonas Kemps (FLA) attended Development Camps after being selected in the 2026 NHL Draft. Commits Tyler Challenger (LAK) and Dryden Allen (PIT) attended as invites.