MSU Hockey has stayed newsworthy recently with some exciting happenings. This past Sunday saw the USA win the Ice Hockey World Championships in Stockholm Sweden. The U.S. beat Switzerland 1-0 in overtime. This was the first outright title since 1933. The excitement of that victory reached all the way to East Lansing as Adam Nightingale served as an assistant coach and Isaac Howard was on the roster, meaning two golds are coming back to E.L. Howard did manage an assist in the four games played. It just fuels the excitement for when the Spartans get back on the ice.
Speaking of Howard, there have been some NHL rumors of Tampa potentially trading him at the draft. It seems like Howard wants ice time and to be an integral part of an up and coming team. Many Tampa beat writers do not see him playing in there. I’d keep a lookout on the Chicago Blackhawks. They have draft capital to make the trade, they have the up and coming roster, new coach and even a former Spartan teammate. It will be interesting to see where Howard ends up professionally. Luckily for us Spartan faithful, we get another year at Munn.
In some other hockey news, Nightingale has brought on a couple of recent signees which means the roster is almost full for next season. Eric Nilson, son of former NHL player Marcus Nilson and a silver medalist for team Sweden in the U18 World Championships. Nilson arrives for the 25/26 season and will also be draft eligible. He is currently ranked number 7 for European Skaters that are draft eligible. He is currently projected as a high second rounder. He is a center which means there is likely one spot left which is theoretically reserved for Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom’s Medicine Hat Tigers just clinched their spot in the Memorial Cup Final which will be played on June 1. Once that season has concluded we will await the announcement of Lindstrom to see if he will officially be in East Lansing.
With MSU losing defensemen Tyson Jugnauth, who decided to sign a pro contract, the Spartans were in need of a defensemen to fill that roster spot. Well, they are bringing in a veteran presence with a familiar last name and someone I suspected earlier on would end up a Spartan. That’s right, twin brother of Tiernan Shoudy, Travis will join his brother in East Lansing. Shoudy entered the portal after Ferris State’s season and was expected to head to Colorado College. The open roster spot proved to be too good to pass up. Shoudy should be able to contribute right away and it is always nice having a lefty defender.
With Shoudy signed, the defensive side is filled and Lindstrom will likely be the final piece to the puzzle. It will be exciting to see how the fresh faces gel with the veterans but rest assured, Coach Nightingale will have this team ready, with one goal in mind.