Howard and Augustine both back for next season
I don’t know about all of you, but after the crushing defeat to Cornell I needed to step away and decompress from the unexpected end to an otherwise stellar and promising season. Now that the decompression has allowed for the mental reset we can take a moment to look at all the news that has been surrounding Spartan Hockey the last two weeks. Some expected, some surprises, and lots of optimism.
PRO CONTRACTS:
A handful of players signed professional contracts just days after being ousted from the tournament. Joey Larson signed an ELC (entry level contract) with the New York Islanders and made his pro debut with the AHL Bridgeport Islanders and earned a point. David Gucciardi made his pro debut with the Hershey Bears after signing an ELC with the Washington Capitals. Nicklas Andrews signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins but is finishing the season with the Toledo Walleye. Karsen Dorwart signed an ELC with the Philadelphia Flyers and made his pro debut in Philly this past Saturday.
LOST TO THE PORTAL:
Pro contracts were not the only cause for departure as a few Spartans decided to hit the transfer portal with the biggest name being back up goaltender Luca DiPasquo who we will see playing with the Golden Gophers. Sophomore defensemen Austin Oravetz will be playing for Merrimack next year and freshman Mikey DeAngelo is currently in the portal but has not found a new destination as of yet. DeAngelo still may be back next season for the Spartans.
GAINED FROM THE PORTAL:
MSU has been busy working the portal themselves as they landed St Cloud St defensemen Colin Ralph. Ralph was drafted by the Blues last season and comes to East Lansing at 19 and with three years of eligibility. He is a big guy with elite skating skills and will be a great addition on defense. More potential action in the portal may be on the way so stay tunes for that.
INCOMING FRESHMAN:
There are a slew of fresh reinforcements that are expected to land in E.L. this fall. Ryker Lee is an incoming forward currently playing in the USHL with the Madison Capitals. He has 29 goals and 34 assists in 54 games played for Madison this year. Melvin Strahl is the next big goaltender prospect who is also playing in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. Strahl was a fifth-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets this past year. Austin Baker is another Incoming forward. Baker is currently playing this season in the USHL for the Sioux Falls Stampede. There he is an alternate captain and a solid two-way forward. Baker is a Detroit Red Wings prospect. Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom is also still rumored to be heading to East Lansing this fall. He was last years number four draft pick and signs from multiple sources are pointing to this getting done soon. This would be a huge grab for the Spartans and we’ll have to wait for the finality of the WHL playoffs before this is done. Lindstrom is a point getter and let’s hope we see him in green and white.
SURPRISES:
Defensemen Tyson Jugnauth will be coming to town as a junior. He played one year with Wisconsin before playing this last year with the Portland Winterhawks. He’s been drafted by the Kraken and wanted to get back into the NCAA and chose MSU. Big blue line addition for the Spartans.
The biggest surprises I had to save for last as Trey Augustine and Isaac Howard have opted to not turn pro and come back to East Lansing. Augustine seemed to have unfinished business and was a delightful surprise to return. this likely sparked DiPasquo heading to Minnesota. The breaking news out just hours ago though is Howard will be returning to MSU. This is huge as MSU’s two most decorated players from this past season come back for one more ride. Howard’s return may have to do with Tampa’s salary cap restraints. Rumor has it the two were not seeing eye to eye and Howard opted to come back.
With Augustine back in net and prospect Strahl backing up, Ralph and Bagsall on defense, Howard and possibly Lindstrom slapping goals makes for some further optimism in what may have been a rebuild year. Let’s not forget the guys not mentioned who are still sticking around as well. Also, keep a close eye on Ferris State’s Travis Shoudy, brother of Tiernan and in the portal, who could also end up in E.L. due to the connection.
Check back here for new updates as the offseason continues for MSU. Who do you have in the title game of the Frozen Four? Denver? Western? Boston or PSU? I think I’m putting my money on PSU to win it all.