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Michigan State hockey is in a critical period of roster formation for next fall and winter. Many players are deciding whether to enter the transfer portal, turn professional or come back for another season.
MSU received great news on Aug. 1 when All-Big Ten goaltender Trey Augustine decided to return for his junior season rather than turn pro. And there has been plenty of other news surrounding Spartan players in the week since, with transfer comings and goings and some players making their pro debuts over the weekend.
MSU jumped into the portal quickly with one major addition. The Spartans landed one of the top defensemen available in St. Cloud State transfer Colin Ralph.
Ralph is a big body at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and was selected 48th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Draft. He had one goal and seven assists in 35 games at St. Cloud his freshman season and comes to East Lansing with three years of eligibility.
At only 19, Ralph is a defensive-defenseman who uses his size and elite skating to be a force on the back end, defending rushes with an active stick and is always well-gapped while defending. He should make an instant impact for the Spartans in dealing with some of the elite offensive players in the Big Ten.
MSU has had three players enter the transfer portal, with two already finding new homes.
With Augustine returning to MSU next year, backup goaltender Luca Di Pasquo entered the portal and quickly found a new home. He's staying in the conference to play for Minnesota next season.
Sophomore defenseman Austin Oravetz entered the portal and has already committed to play at Merrimack next season. Forward Mikey DeAngelo, who centered MSU's fourth line as a freshman this past season, also entered the portal and is still looking for his next destination.
Junior forward and Hobey Baker finalist Isaac Howard still not signed a pro contract, but the first-round pick of Tampa Bay in the 2022 draft is still expected to sign with the Lightning in the coming weeks.
Three MSU players made did make their professional debuts over the weekend. Forward Karsen Dorwart, who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, jumped right into the NHL and logged 10:52 in 15 shifts on Saturday, including 2:25 of power play time in a 3-2 loss to Montreal.
Forward Joey Larson signed a deal with the New York Islanders and reported to the team's AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Larson made his debut Saturday night and recorded an assist in his first professional game.
Defenseman David Gucciardi inked a deal with the Washington Capitals, who drafted Gucciardi in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL draft. Gucciardi scored a goal in his professional debut with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' AHL affiliate.
Defenseman Nicklas Andrews, who led MSU with a plus-28 on the ice this past season, signed with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at [email protected] and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State hockey: One key addition and 3 departures in the portal
Continue reading...
MSU received great news on Aug. 1 when All-Big Ten goaltender Trey Augustine decided to return for his junior season rather than turn pro. And there has been plenty of other news surrounding Spartan players in the week since, with transfer comings and goings and some players making their pro debuts over the weekend.
Spartans land one significant transfer, three players depart
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MSU jumped into the portal quickly with one major addition. The Spartans landed one of the top defensemen available in St. Cloud State transfer Colin Ralph.
Ralph is a big body at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and was selected 48th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Draft. He had one goal and seven assists in 35 games at St. Cloud his freshman season and comes to East Lansing with three years of eligibility.
At only 19, Ralph is a defensive-defenseman who uses his size and elite skating to be a force on the back end, defending rushes with an active stick and is always well-gapped while defending. He should make an instant impact for the Spartans in dealing with some of the elite offensive players in the Big Ten.
MSU has had three players enter the transfer portal, with two already finding new homes.
With Augustine returning to MSU next year, backup goaltender Luca Di Pasquo entered the portal and quickly found a new home. He's staying in the conference to play for Minnesota next season.
Sophomore defenseman Austin Oravetz entered the portal and has already committed to play at Merrimack next season. Forward Mikey DeAngelo, who centered MSU's fourth line as a freshman this past season, also entered the portal and is still looking for his next destination.
Players turning pro
Junior forward and Hobey Baker finalist Isaac Howard still not signed a pro contract, but the first-round pick of Tampa Bay in the 2022 draft is still expected to sign with the Lightning in the coming weeks.
Three MSU players made did make their professional debuts over the weekend. Forward Karsen Dorwart, who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, jumped right into the NHL and logged 10:52 in 15 shifts on Saturday, including 2:25 of power play time in a 3-2 loss to Montreal.
Forward Joey Larson signed a deal with the New York Islanders and reported to the team's AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Larson made his debut Saturday night and recorded an assist in his first professional game.
Defenseman David Gucciardi inked a deal with the Washington Capitals, who drafted Gucciardi in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL draft. Gucciardi scored a goal in his professional debut with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' AHL affiliate.
Defenseman Nicklas Andrews, who led MSU with a plus-28 on the ice this past season, signed with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at [email protected] and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State hockey: One key addition and 3 departures in the portal
Continue reading...
