
Hobey Baker winner to NHL, Spartans just miss out on top recruit
Steve had a hockey update last week about all of the Spartans selected in the 2025 NHL draft as well as MSU’s hopes to land the projected #1 pick in next year’s draft.
Gavin McKenna, of the Canadian Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers, visited both Penn State and Michigan State recently and ended up choosing the Nittany Lions. If the projections turn out to be true, McKenna will be in Happy Valley for just one year before becoming the top pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Shortly after MSU missed out on McKenna, 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Edmonton Oilers, where he signed an entry level contract. The Lightning selected Howard with the 31st pick in the 2022 draft and held his rights until they traded him to Edmonton.
Howard, along with Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine, had originally announced he would return to the Spartans for the 2025-2026 season but apparently the Oilers aren’t willing to wait for his services and want Howard to start his pro career immediately. Howard has certainly earned his opportunity after leading MSU to back-to-back Big Ten championships and being named college hockey’s top player last season.
Losing Howard and missing out on McKenna has to sting a little. However, Augustine still plans to remain at MSU for his junior season and there is plenty of talent on the Spartans’ roster.